So, my new MINI is a 2012 Cooper S. This one is also an automatic. I am kind of concerned I might have a boost leak somewhere...

My old MINI was a 2008 MCS manual. It read a vacuum pressure of -11ish lbs at idle in neutral. The new MINI shows about 3 lbs of vacuum at idle in neutral. Does anyone have any input on this?

I removed the intercooler muffler months ago, but did not have my ScanGauge hooked up to read the boost pressures. I have also never had an automatic before, so it is new to me.

Thanks for any help!

 

your 2012 has the n18 engine

the n18 has little or no vacuum

it has to do with the variable intake and exhaust timing

scott

 

The N18 engine in your car (2011+ Cooper S's) uses a system called Valvetronic. Essentially, it has variable intake and exhaust came timing just like the older N14 engine Cooper S's, but it also have variable intake valve LIFT control (Valvetronic). The engine has a throttle blade like a standard engine but, under normal operating conditions, the throttle blade is fully open and the Engine Computer uses varied intake valve lift to control engine RPM.

In short, this means there is little to no vacuum in the intake manifold during normal operation. I don't know what the exact spec is, but I wouldn't expect to see much vacuum at all. You should be all good!

 

Just a minor correction: the N14 has VANOS only on the intake side, not the exhaust.

 

I knew that... For some reason it skipped my memory. Thanks!