I can't really find a thread that tells me what I want to know before it gets side-tracked in an argument... ha!

I have a 2008 Clubman, non-turbo.

So, I had an issue with timing that ended up costing a fortune in replacing the vanos solenoids.. which what I have been able to read sounds like it can come from a faulty vacuum pump leaking oil. I also have a confirmed issue with the pump, according to MINI.

I couldn't afford to have the pump replaced the same day and now that I have some time and money, I'm dying to get that problem fixed, mostly because I don't know what implications it has for the overall health of the car. I've seen some pretty bleak things about it, including seizing the engine... I would like to think that a small pump would just fail before it took the whole motor down with it, but whatever... Occasionally, I get a yellow check engine light, and the idle is a little rough but it really runs ok.

My questions are these:

-What exactly does this pump do? I have some experience with much older, domestic cars, but since this car isn't carbureted, I feel like maybe I don't know what its purpose is.

-What are the symptoms of a failing vacuum pump? I keep seeing the words "death rattle" and that concerns me greatly... is there a particular sound or other indicator that says "IT's ME, the PUMP!!"

-Is this a DIY job? I understand the basics of working under the hood. I have access to a pretty healthy stock of tools and a closed garage to work in. The dealership of course wanted a king's ransom to do the work. I do like the guarantee that comes with their work, but if I can save $300 and still have a satisfactory result then that's what I'd like to do. I have seen a few diagrams and descriptions that make it sound like a patient guy can do this without too much headache.

-What is the exact part number for the R55 pump? I see 11667570813 come up repeatedly, but I'd rather be sure...

Any help is appreciated!!

Jon

 

Some info here: 11667570813

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2009-mini.html

N12 Engines ( NON S )

R56 MINI Cooper 2007-2010
R55 MINI Clubman 2008-2010
R57 MINI Cooper Convertible 2009-2010

Vacuum pump for the brake booster , runs off the cam, internal pump can get clogged with low / burnt oil / seize sometimes. The unit can also leak from the main seal. Or I have seen people knock the nipple off by mistake. Then you have to get the whole unit. Some report knocking noise from the unit.

Its DIY' able.

 

I'm not 100% sure how this will translate to your N12 engine, but HERE is a thread about the N14 vacuum pump

 

Bumping the post with an update... Got a new vacuum pump today. Of course we're buried under nearly a foot of snow, so I'm trying to read everything thing about this process before I attempt it.

I need to know if there are any special steps I need to take. It seems straightforward, but the notes with the new pump suggest the cam needs to be in the low position.. Is that a generic precaution or law? If it's mandatory, how can I get the cam set where I want it? Any info will be handy, I have to get this car going by the weekend if weather permits

 

Good news, I dug in with the info I could find and the repair was a success. I'm still not 100% sure what it does, but this was probably the simplest car repair I've ever done.

 

did you have to put the cam in the low posistion? Or did you just rotate the vaccum pump?

 

you can see the cam, so I aimed it up before I put it on and just wiggled it till it met, very simple. You do have to undo the wire plug that's just above the pump to have room to move around. Also, there was a loom attached to the pump with a clip that basically crumbled. The loom seemed to be fine without being attached.