CEL came on yesterday so we took it to the dealership this morning. Ever since we bought the car it seemed like it had a little miss to me but I never though anything of it since the dealership didnt say anything on the first oil change.

Anyways, they said they pulled the intake off and the valves are dirty causing the CEL. I have read that these motors are a little more prone to carbon build up and burning oil. I read about doing seafoam treatments, but is this something I need to worry about? We planned on keeping this car for quite a while...checked into factory extended warranties and the prices are INSANE.

If this is normal for these cars, I think we are going to ditch it around warranty expiration time for the regular Mini Countryman (non-S). I dont want to afford expensive dealer service.


The car is a 2009 Mini Cooper S

 

I am wondering the same. The last few days I have read about the timing chain guide issues (seems like they are solved), HPFP and the valve carbon due to the direct injection.

How many of these are real issues for the 2009+ MCS?

 

I sea foamed mine today. Do it about every 6-8k miles. AKA every other oil change since I change at 3-4k intervals. Changed my oil today also. It's just a touch faster with a good ole sea foam and fresh Mobile 1 oil =]

Sea foam is cheap. Like $9-10 a bottle. Just do it through the PCV valve every other oil change. 1/3 bottle each time. So it's worth spending the extra $3 each time to keep these cars running

 

Its funny you say that. When I was in Hawaii after I bought my MINI the dealership wanted lik $60 or $80 dollars for a fuel system cleaner treatment and I don't remember what they called it but, it was on the lines of a seafoam treatment. Me being dumb at the moment said yes and found out shortly after they did it when they invited me into the garage to show me around as a new MINI owner I saw the seafoam and all I could do was laugh.

 

^^^ Should have been like... What was that $80 stuff you used?!?! That $10 sea foam sitting over there? Lmao

 

Where do you get Seafoam and is there a recommended treatment instruction included?

 

^^^There is a few threads about it in the How-to section. You can get it at a auto part store for about $10 a can.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-r55-r56.html

I did the Seafoam treatment at about 16,000 miles. It seemed to make a significant difference in engine response. Best to do an oil & filter change right after a Seafoam treatment because Seafoam and carbon seem to get into the oil.

Be sure to use an LL-01/A3 rated oil. There are not a lot of oils in the USA that meet that standard.

MINIUSA approved oils:
MINI or BMW brand 5W-30
Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30*
Mobil 1 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower 5W-30

*I'm using this one because it is easy to find at Autozone, and a true synthetic. Most synthetics are highly refined dino oil.

 

I don't think sea foam works as a permanent fix. Eventually the vehicle has to have its intakes opened and blasted which costs $600.00. It is because of the direct injection. The one thing that makes no sense is why Mini does not advise owners of this when they buy the car. Other threads mention oil catch cans which remove the carbon before it goes into the pistons. They cost about 125.00. Don't understand why Mini does not install these as standard equipment at the factory. Along that line they should install proper heat shields to protect the hood scoop. In my opinion, may of the reliability issues on Mini Cooper turbos could have been eliminated at the factory level with a little forethought.

 

Agreed. Definitely should have an OCC from the factory but since it doesn't. Sea foam it is. It does reduce the risk of problems and gets rid of them also.