Ok, this is a little OCI, but a friend is clearing out his garage in preparation for a move, and really he's the OCI one... He has a couple of things that he offered me that sparked my interest but was looking for other's thoughts.

1) Accusump Oil accumulator (and installation kit)

So, this is a small (I think a 1 or 2 qt reservoir) cylinder that takes in oil when there's pressure in the system, and holds it to be discharged when oil pressure drops below a certain level. For a non-racing car such as mine (2010 MC Justa Clubman), it would discharge prior to start up, think preoiler. Given the evidence that a great deal of engine wear occurs at start up before a good lubricating film is established, this seems like an interesting solution.

2) Remote spin-on oil bypass filter

So, just like it says, its an additional oil filter with finer media to attempt to capture finer particulate that ostensibly causes wear. I think generally this allows extended time between oil change. I think the extended drain appeals to me because i like keeping the internals nice and neat but I also like the idea of not generating quite as much used oil that would result from changes as frequent as I might like otherwise.


Both are new, seemingly complete kits, but since i'm no mechanic, I'd still need to pay for installation.

Like I said, I've got a 2010 Justa Clubman, kind of/sort of a daily driver with some pretty long trips sprinkled in (about 20k per year). My last car I'd had since '85 so I keep them for the long term and like the idea of doing things for longevity but I also know that for modern cars, oil related failures are typically negligence rather than normal wear. Maybe I would just wind up sending the cleanest engine to the scrap yard?

Thoughts or experiences with either of these?

Thanks Folks!

 

I would pass on both. Change oil at sensible intervals 5000 - 7500 miles.

In the grand scheme of things, the little bit of oil you recycle amounts to practically less than anything I can think of, compared to the millions of barrels that are used every day.

Kudos for your good thoughts and efforts though, good luck.

 

What about the oil accumulator, though?
I have to say, reading all the posts I have about the cold start noises, and their intermittent nature at times, I have to wonder if something like that would be the ticket.
Having raced some, as a much younger person, it was my first thought after hearing my own mini make this racket, one morning, and reading a bit.
(In fact, it's how I found this site, and this post... searching to see if anyone had tried an oil accumulator)

 

Cdubya, what year is your MINI? Some earlier models had a timing chain tensioner problem that would
contribute to noisy cold startups. It should be covered under warranty. Good luck.

 

Right, it turns out there is a bit of a discussion about accumulators in the 'cold start rattle' mega thread. I've done a bit more obsessive reading about this and there seems to be some moderately consistent interpretation here in terms of using the accumulator as a pre-oiler prior to a cold start.

1. It is true that cold starts cause quite a bit of wear in engines but part of this increased wear is the time it takes for the oil to create a nearly frictionless film between the piston and wall. It may be true that part of this wear is due to the simple lack of oil in those locations, it may be more that the oil has not reached a temperature and sufficient viscosity that allows this film to be created. So, the cold start is associated with wear but the wear takes place over the time between the start and the oil reaching near operating temperature.

A couple of pieces of evidence on this. It is true that cars used solely for racing may use some form of preoiler prior to start up but they often also warm the oil to near operating temperature so the building of pressure comes along with carrying the oil to the sites of likely wear.

2. Using an accumulator increases (maybe just a little) the amount of oil that needs to be brought up to temperature thus potentially increasing the amount of time before the oil is properly lubricating.

I find both of these definitely plausible. Now, for relatively high g turns where the pump might suck air, I think that's another issue and probably depends on the exact design of the MINI's oilpan... That I'm less sure of.

 

Well... of all the little issues I did see, I did not see this one until after my purchase of an out-of-warranty 2007 S Hardtop.
Thanks, though

To Glockenspieler:
I think the cold start noise thing though, is an 'all or nothing' oil pressure to the tensioner problem, though. (If it's not just a 'sticking tensioner' problem, which I guess it 'could' be)
If so... an accumulator 'should' remedy the issue. Thick oil is better than no oil. Heck, the oil is thick in every other car when they start cold... and they don't do that The one time that mine made the noise, it had been parked inside, and the engine temp was about 70 degrees. It was rattling and clattering like a worn out diesel, and when I popped the bonnet for a quick look/listen with the stethoscope, it definitely seemed to be from the timing chain area. I couldn't pinpoint exactly where, because like flipping a switch, it very suddenly stopped making the noise and sounded 'normal' again, before I could get the 'scope probe situated. (But it's in the glove box, in case it ever happens again)

 

Cdubya, it might be worth a shot to talk to the dealer about the cold start issue, it's a known problem, they still might help you. Anyway, the worst they can say is no.

 

I hear ya! Costs me nothing to ask.
I expect they'll just snicker a bit and mumble 'sucker!' as I walk away, but I had thought of asking. LOL!