I've been wandering several shops because of idle problems. Yesterday I went to mini specialist and checked computerized diagnose but nothing came on. He checked oil dipstick and said oil level is low..the problem is that I did oil change about a month ago and ran only 2k. I used walmart 5w-30 synthetic oil 5quarts. It wasn't the first time service guy said that the oil level is low eventhough I changed oil. I don't know why oil burns so fast. I am not that rough driver...anyway, I tried to solve the idle problem at there but he was too busy to take care of my car. so I researched yelp and find somewhere that has good rates with european cars. technician and I went out for test drive first and he guessed it's because of carbon buildup in throttle body. right after test drive, He opened hood and fans were running so hard. He said there is something wrong with the thermostat. does the thermostat also cause the idle? he quoted me $350 with parts. (bad deal or good deal?) Merry christmas!!!

 

Year of car, and miles? There have been recalls on the thermostat, you might get it done for free...There's a sensor that goes bad.

Check your oil every week, because if it is low you can do some damage.

Oil burning because of carbon buildup in the throttle body? That seems odd.

Just hang out here for a day or two, people who actually know better will help you... but do give the mileage and age of your car :-)

 

its 07 nons hits 75k miles. I still can get it done for free from any dealership?
I think u misunderstood that i meant to say. Technician says idle problem might be carbon buildup

 

Some R56 Minis do use up to a quart of oil per 1500 miles. Many Mini R56s don't use much oil at all. It sounds like you are lucky and need to add oil more often but make sure you check your oil level properly.

You don't want to overfill your oil. 5 quarts is too much oil for your Mini. I assume you purchased the 5 quart bottle of Mobile 1 at WallMart? Did you use all of it?



Yes carbon buildup can make the car run poorly. The build up adds dimension to the throttler body valve and can prevent it from closing all the way. At 75,000 miles it is normal for a direct injected Mini motor to have carbon build up on the intake valves and intake (not just the TB valves). At this point we can't say for sure if that is your problem but it is very possible. Direct injection motors spray fuel inside the chamber so the valves don't get washed from the fuel. You know all the advertising about gas with cleaning additives, well, it does not work on the valves of a DI motor. Using a high rate of oil can be an indicator of higher carbon build up. Adding too much oil in the crankcase may cause increased oil pressure and more oil / carbon vapor can pass through the PCV and it could be sticking to your valves and intake (even more than normal).



You can take your car to the dealership for an oil change but if your service contract is up you have pay for it (I think that was your question ?). If the dealer is putting 5 quarts of oil in the crankcase you should tell them to remove the extra oil when you pick up your Mini.

The thermostat can cause the idle to change if it is not sending the proper signal to the computer. The fan will run at different than normal times too. We had ours replaced at 8700 miles at the dealer for free but the car was still covered. Now I see a recall for the the thermostat is starting to be talked about. Call your Dealer and ask if it is covered. We noticed that the fan was staying on for long-longer periods after driving short distances. The coolant temperature (on our OBD gauge) was bouncing up and down 4min post start up and the car would not idle one time but it recovered.

If you want to learn more about oil level and oil change tips click this--->
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...00-post13.html

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Yes I used same oil as you posted and poured whole oil into it.

 

I just called dealership in los angeles (alexander mini). they asked my car vin number and they checked on it but there is no recalls on my car model.

 

You didn't originally state the year of your car, so I wasn't sure. Later cars (like mine) had a thermostat recall.

 

Have you called Motoring Magic?
3170 Los Feliz Drive
Thousand Oaks, Ca 91362
805-496-2300
http://www.motoringmagic.net/

 

FYI - -

2007 Justa does not have direct injection. Regular old-fashioned port injection for the Justa, thanks.

Carbon build-up can occur in the Justa, as with any other car at high mileage. But it's not nearly as severe/common in the Justa as it is in the "S" turbo motor with DI.

Just another reason to love the regular Cooper, IMHO.


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Then it may not cost as much to clean.

 

That's why we own two Justas. Probably not carbon buildup. You might want a second opinion!

 

Nope. How come?

 

They are a well known shop that will give you some good advice and could repair your car.