Hi everyone.
im cosmin,from romania, and im having a mini r53,2005 .the problem that i encounter is this:
i have observed a lack of power and i was starting to google it...and i have found a thing about the bypass valve...when the engine is idling,the valve is fully open,and the air is entering in motor straight through the intake.right...mine does the same.fully open.but,when the engine is revving,this bypass should close to make boost.
fortinately,last saturday i have stripdown the gearbox to change the clutch,and also i have ordered ac delco oil...also from us...i have checked this bypass valve also on the engine.when you push it it comes back.i have also checked the spring from inside and the membrane,everything is ok.
the question is...why is not closing when im revving the engine?
i know that this bypass is is open by the vacuum of the engine,and normally when you push the gas pedal,the pressure made by supercharger is pushing back the valve.i know,my english is not ok...but i have some ideeas about cars.
Is possible that my supercharger to not make boost(pressure) and thats way the bypass is not closing for a full boost,or the spring is too soft?
Maybe someone can help me with some ideas
Thanks
cosmin 🤘

 

How do you know you are not making any boost? If you don't have one already, adding a boost gauge is very helpful. My car doesn't hardly make any boost when I just rev the motor.....I need to get it out driving around, and put a load on the motor.

Without a way to monitor boost...it's really hard to tell what's actually going on.

 

Agreed with Ian, you need to have more load on the engine to be able to verify boost/no boost. You also need a way of monitoring the engine & what its doing from the inside... obd port reader or boost gauge.

Ziptie the valve in the closed position and test drive it. you may throw a check engine light code but at least you'll see the difference as is vs 100% closed. Should see more power out of it for sure.

 

Ok...anyway tomorrow i will put back the gearbox...make the service for supercharger(replacing oil),replacing the top gasket on the engine,and i will see what to do with bpv...as i said...i have check it...the spring is ok...membrane ok...and i dont get it why is not closing...I have observed that when you give a short gas pedal...is closing...but...immediately is opening...

 

you can adjust the stop screw on it to have it fully close. That and a stiffer spring is all that maje up a dt bpv..

 

I saw that almost everyone is using the detroit bypass valve,but in europe,you cannot find it...you have to order from ebay...as i did with the oil for sc.
what king of spring should i put instead?

 

The type of spring will affect how the boost builds in relation to the vacuum that the motor is producing. If it was me, I would just use the same spring that an oem BPV uses vs. guessing and putting one in there that's too firm. If you get one in there that's too firm, it's going to kill your MPG and it's going to put unnecessary load on the SC because it's going to be building boost all the time..even when cruising down the highway. All that does is build heat....

Yes, the detroit BPV uses a slightly stiffer spring....but the biggest thing about it is that they are actually adjusted and setup so that they close all the way.....and you can make the same adjustment on the oem mini BPV's also.

Just buy a new oem mini BPV, make sure it's adjusted to close fully, and you will be good to go.

 

Touch base with adriancl on this forum. Adrian also lives in Romania and has a lot of knowledge of R53s.

 

I have finish work on my mini...changed the clutch,refurbished flying wheel,it was worn,now is brand new,reolace the top engine gasket,in fact i have replaced all seals on the engine,put ac delco oil into s/c ,and done job with the bpv...
i had some ideeas...first time i have canceled the vacuum hose of this bpv,and took vacuum from pressure fuel regulator...with a "T" and replace the spring with a stiff one...with that stiff spring...the valve was all the time in closed position,took out and...now is the tricky part...put back the old spring inside the other spring...so...i have 2 springs 🤘🤪.
i have refurbished also the hoses from steering rack...replace the oil...but now i have a stiff wheel...
And...my toy now...is a rocket 🤘🤘🤘