Hi I have a Mini Cooper (2006) with 80k miles on it. I've always looked after the car although not owning it from new. I have worked as a mechanic in the past so I know what it means to keep a car maintained.

Recently whilst driving home from work the engine management light come up. So I got home (apx 1 mile away from work) done a code reader on the CAN system and received two codes. P0014 and P0457.

P0457 related to my thermostat not functioning and remaining open. So I replaced the entire housing that code is now gone and has not returned.

P0014 related to the camshaft timing to be advancing. This was a very general code and didn't give me a lot of insight as to what was happening.

So what I done I borrowed a better diagnostic machine from the place I work which is a Snap-On Verdict I read the manufacture specific codes and everything pointed towards the VANOS.

So anyways I cleared the codes and seen what happened the next day. The next day I received a few codes relating to the solenoids not working correctly, so I took advice of a friend got them cleaned out properly (there was thick slug attached to them) cleaned the inside of the port they fit into and put them back in, it solved pretty much all of these codes except one which remains.

283D - VANOS Exhaust Adaption Stop

So I seen this and tried switching around the solenoids to see if that made a difference. It did not.

So I took the car for a drive whilst watching the live data from the valve gear, from this I noticed the the exhaust adapt value remained at either 0 or -1. I thought this was a bit strange as the inlet values were ranging from 0 to +12.

I'm a little bit stuck and not sure where to go from here, can anyone give any advice on the situation?

 

UPDATE - Engine seems to run like normal on cold starts? Only for a mile if that.

ALSO - Car feels like its over fuelling. My economy is **** and makes a lot deeper noise and the exhaust sometimes pops as well lol!

 

Found Cause: Timing was out, rocker covers & cams coked up.

 

What did you have to do to correct the problem.

 

I would like to know what you did to fix this as well.

 

I fixed the issue by replacing the timing chain and tensioner as this wasn't the best and had to be done anyway it was well due. But whilst changing it we found that timing had jumped one tooth which caused the VANOS to fail obviously because the VANOS realised it could not adjust the timing of the engine because it was out of it's limits. Code reading can be deceiving and should only be used as a guide. But check the timing!!

 

Hi lloydowen. I'm getting the same code in my 07 R56 I Would like to ask you about this. Thanks.

 

I'm sorry just seen the reply. I will get them to check this asap thanks so much for the quick response

 

After switching, cleaning the solenoids, taking it out for a drive with the code reader my Cooper died. Had a tow back to the garage they checked the timing. My Top support rail broke. We are changing the whole chain assembly since its open. Will update if there is more.

 

For the independent mechanics replacing the whole Timing chain in my case on the R56 N12 Engine. It would be in your best interest to have a look at the serpentine belt. And also the front crankshaft seal. Mine was also too soft and had to be replaced. Not sure of the prices yet. Replacing the sparkplugs as well. Waves to ya'll.

 

TIMING ISSUES. She runs good over 1000 rpm but has a ruff idol under 1000rpm and then engine stops. She is throwing these two codes. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Sounds like you too have had the timing chain skip. This is possible with the rash of defective chain tensioner out there. I am not sure but this may be covered under recall/TSB. I know they replaced mine early on. Usually this is accompanied by the death rattle. That is the tensioner backing out.