A valve job at a machine shop puts a precise bevel on the valve and seat surfaces which is superior to what you can do with lapping. After you lap the valves a few times, you will have a groove in the seat which is not desirable, so you'll have to have them ground and or replaced.

 

This thread is getting interesting! I'm going to clarify one small detail that wasn't mentioned here....I'm female

I've been changing my own oil, tires, spark plugs, wires, 1 coil and a couple other small things. Not quite ready to tackle taking engines apart yet but I would love to be able to do it some day!

 

Very sorry for assuming. IMO don't take your head to a shop willing to only do one valve. This is just dumb! Notice he never named the shop. Also the valve seats are probably shot with all the mileage. Thats why it failed the leak down test. So again this is not for someone who does not have the machines to do it. Do it right the 1st and only time. You don't want to spend money to redo things. Just my opinion.

 

No worries! How's one to know. We're all just a screen name and an avatar around here!

I agree with your advise. In your opinion do you think it's worth doing for a car this old with high mileage?

Cheers

 

If the rest of the car is in good shape, go for it. Are you the original owner? The only other option is to get another car. So is it worth it to you is the question. If your car is paid off, I would fix it. If it is not paid off, you have to fix it or lose your *** on it. No offense.

 

Yes the body and interior are still really nice. I'm the second owner....it's paid off. I haven't put too much money into it nor have I had to replace much. I know my only concern is wondering if its at the point in its life where a lot of things start going at once specially since I haven't had to replace a ton of things. My main concern in the tranny. The automatics have a bad rap. Mine seems ok at the moment. Are there any tests that can be done to the tranny?

 

Then based off the fact it is paid off IMO fix it. As you fix things, there are less items to fail. Change the trans fluid if you have not and you should be fine since you say there are no known issues with it. The trans that gets the bad rap mainly is the CVT.
IF you do the head, have them change the supercharger oil and look for any issues.
This all is of course just my 2 cents. Post some pics.

 

Thanks for your 2 cents. It's helpful to have other opinions specially from other drivers.

I think I have the CVT transmission as mine is an automatic. Also its just the base model...no supercharger:(

 

Then IMO that might change things for me. Again, dummy me assumed you had a S. Sorry again. You might then consider bailing as soon as you notice trans issues. Or depending how much you like MINI's, look for another and trade it in, but now you will have payments.

 

I have lot's to ponder! I'll keep you posted when I get some quotes and decide what to do. You've been most helpful.

Cheers!

 

No problem. Good luck

 

Woah I didn't think you would attack me so openly look I don't remember the name of the shop to me it's left on this street and the third building on the left. A friend of mine is actually a MINI certified mechanic who has moved on to start his own business and has done many of these all the info I gave was straight from him so get a quote from a machine shop and look up the cost of a head.

 

The mechanic called with his labor quote today(I plan to provide all necessary parts).

He quoted me 14 hours using my existing head and 13.5 if I got a refurbished one. Thats what he said his magic book said.

I don't know much....ok...anything...about taking engines apart but these numbers seem high. Is it?

I mentioned the refurbished head to him and he said that what him and the machine shop will be doing is essentially refurbishing it....

The machine shop part is $140 plus tax

All this is the price to just replace the valves that are burnt....I mentioned replacing them all and he said he thought it wasn't necessary.

The car isn't worth much anymore...I wonder if I should just drive it as is until I really kill it! It still has lots of power it just misfires every now and then !!

 

Well I guess him and MINIman S are on the same page. I still disagree. I also disagree with time it takes to tare it apart and put it back together. Is this a MINI shop or dealer?

 

It's a local shop. I'm pretty far from a dealer and couldn't afford their rates.

I might go get a second opinion/quote elsewhere just to see.

 

When I did mine in Nov 2012, it cost $2100 parts(new head) and labor. They would not do only one. They felt the same way I did about others would fail later, so why not do it right the 1st time.

So half hour difference in what then? machining the head only takes half hour?

 

I would love for some others to chime in and see what there experience and opinions are on this subject of only doing one valve.

 

I'm not sure what the half hour difference is.

Yeah that could be interesting. Might need a new thread on it as i'm sure it would get a lot of attention.

 

But remember the valves all went the same distance. So if one went the others are sure to follow IMO.

 

Some shops go by the book on time and others go by how long it actually takes them. Is there a local MINI club where you are they would be the best bet for finding a good mechanic. If one axel or hub bearing goes bad most would say it is unnecessary to change all the others even if they all have the same mileage.

 

+1 on do them all, the major expense here is removal & install labor, why risk having to do it again in the near future.
And even with a "justa" as far as the motor goes you're still looking at prob. getting 200k (320 km) out of the bottom end. (but definately do a good visual on the cylinder walls while the head's off.)

 

+2 You must be from the same old school of thought as me.

 

Where are you located my guy here in Tempe only charges 8hrs.

 

I'm in Canada....

 

Not lucky enough to be near detroit by any chance?