Even Chad from Detroit Tuned says to let it cool down for 30 seconds.

Its not the bearings that get cooked, its the oil that does NOT get circulated that is static in the line behind the turbo. This is where the buildup occurs. That oil chokes the turbo bearing feed over time... this almost *never* happens with cars with the 5K oil change.. but happens with the people at 10K.

 

Campaign - A "fix" free from the dealer.. limited by mileage or time. Not a safety defect, but often a serious issue like catastrophic engine damage. Timing Chain.. Engine Failure...

Recall - A free lifetime "fix", relates to a serious safety issue or emissions issue. No limit on mileage or vehicle age. Cars catching fire, wheels falling off... that sort of thing.

TSB - Technical Service Bulletin - Meant to be used by the techs only. Often related to a common issue that effects a bunch of cars. Is more an "annoyance" such as a rattle, water leaks, or other problems that lead to malfunctions. Often only covered under bumper to bumper warranty. PRetty much its a quick way for a tech to locate a common issue with parts and procedures needed to fix it. -

Extended Part Warranty - Adding on additional milage or time for a specific component that often fails.

 

Thanks for the info. So if my car is of qualifying age/mileage, a campaign is just the same as recall. I should probably call my local dealership and ask them about it, since someone seems to say this campaign JUST happened the day I took my car back and I would assume that's why they didn't mention it.

Also, someone in the timing chain thread said that one went active the other day. I don't know how true that is, but being that MINI seemed to let rumors out that it would be in effect in September, it could be.

Anything MINI is going to fix or replace for free on their horribly designed and retardedly unreliable parts, I'm going to take advantage of.

 

True, just call them with the VIN, they can run a check. You can also do this at http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...rt/recall.html or by calling the 1-866-ASK-MINI (866-275-6464) (I would call that number WAY before I called a dealer.)

Beware that most recalls/campaigns may not be available until the dealer has parts in stock.

 

Now, I see NOTHING on the automated recall page. Tells me they don't list campaigns there, only Recalls specifically.

 

Just got off the phone with my SA. It's a action campaign issued on the DSC reports when pulled up under the VIN. Another one that was issued was for all cars that come in for service to have the timing chains checked for being out of spec, then being replaced if not.

 

I just dropped off my Clubbie to have an issue with the sunroof looked at and when i got my paperwork, there's a line item for the recall on the heat shield. SA didn't mention it when i was standing in front of him. Gonna get my car back tomorrow and we'll see if they just give me the shield since i already have an M7 Turbo Heat Shield installed.

 

The turbo heat shield and the heat shield being discussed in this thread are two different shields. One doesn't affect the other.

 

Oops, my mistake. So where does this "heat shield" recall item go?

 

It attaches to the top oil line that feeds the turbo. When you look at the turbo, its the line you see towards the right side of the turbo on top with a big hex bolt.

 

I'm looking at engine bay pics via Google Image Search and i'm still not sure what i'm looking at (sorry :[ )

Don't suppose you could point it out via a picture? Or i'll just wait until i get the car back tomorrow and see for myself.

 

TO begin with:

THIS THREAD IS MIS-TITLED.

It is not a turbo heat shield as that implies the issue that happened years earlier when hood scoops were melting and they came up with the insulation and reflective shielding applied to the bottom of the hood.

Nor does it refer to the down pipe cover that companies like WMW, NM, M7, etc have products for to divert heat away.

This is about the tiny little oil feed line connected by a banjo bolt on top of the turbo that gets overheated, cooked, and begins to leak.


I do think there is merit in thinking about idling the car to bring down the turbo temp. Just google "turbo timer" and you will see products that allow you to shut off your car and walk away with your keys while the motor runs for a set amount of time, cooling the turbo.

The dang thing is hot.You don't have a OBD II gauge for turbo temp so what do you really know. if you just shut the car off and check the temp of your turbo with an IR temp gun, then check it again in 30 minutes or so you will see how much heat is still trapped in the exhaust turbine. Whether or not it is a long term detriment is debatable.

The OEM bearing in the turbo is a journaled bearing so the turbine shaft is suspended inside the bearing by the oil floating thru it. Coking that oil and causing buildup in this area helps to create a failure point. If the oil cokes up and compromises the seal clips, (as it did in my JCW), then the shaft can start to play laterally which allows the oil to get past the seals. This begins the failure of the turbo.

The question would be, what is within an owner's control to minimize this cause and effect situation? The turbo housing is hot. Leaving that oil there to cook just gives a greater chance for premature failure. Letting the car idle to continue circulation of the won't hurt, but it will cost you a bit of fuel.

Keeping the oil topped off and oil changes frequently are also good. Other things to look for would be oil clogging of the intercooler and the catalytic converter. If the turbo is pushing oil past the seals it has to go somewhere.

Clogged intercooler doesn't help performance and a clogged cat converter will allow back pressure build up to the turbo housing which isn't good either.

 

So is Mini doing anything to fix the problem or just slapping the heat shield on there? My oil line is starting to leak and I was wondering if this service campaign would cover the repair or not. Obviously slapping a heat shield on there after it's already leaking isn't going to help anything. Has anyone had any luck getting Mini to repair the leak free of charge???

 

I believe the Pipe wrap is meant to be a albeit small preventative measure to slow coking in the pipe. Nothing for leakage. My leakage was fixed for free....on extended warranty, now expired.

 

Any idea what the mileage limitation is on this campaign?

 

Way Motor Works has the upgraded heat shield for $11.50 shipped. I just went ahead and ordered one and installed it myself: I don't have any service on tap for a while and it would cost me more than that in time and gas to go to the dealer to get a free one installed.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/turbo-o...at-shield.html

Requires a little wiggling and poking with a screwdriver to get the insulating wrap properly down along the pipe and wrapped around it, but it's not really rocket science to install.

 

Recall is NOT for N18's. Got that from my SA. N18'ers panic at your will... or idiocy... (hell even Way told me so)

 

 

I have a 07 MCS 56000 miles i was told i have a service campaigne for the turbo heat shield and also the timming chain tensioner to be replaced. (portland or) i have a appointment next week for both.

 

I don't think anyone's panicking, but having personally lived through the turbo coking issues in the early days of Audi's 1.8T engine (lack of heat shielding there, too) I don't think the issue is something to be complacent about. So perhaps calling people idiots is not the best approach.

Additional heat shielding for the turbo oil lines is never a bad idea: sure can't hurt, and definitely might help. Given that you can get the part for twelve bucks total and install it in a few minutes, I think the idiocy would be in *not* doing it, but that's just me.

 

If you are under warranty the leaking oil line is covered and replaced with the same type of line.

If it was replaced already under warranty at a MINI dealer, you should have a 2 year warranty (at least at my dealer) for the oil line. Mine was in the 2 year window when the line started leaking again. Dealer covered the part and while they were at it they added the updated heat shield cap with the attached blanket tail. That was in June. Didn't charge me a dime.


If you are not under warranty, Detroittuned.comhas a aftermarket kit for the line replacement. Give Chad a call. He will help you out.

 

True but I've had 3 2013 loaners in the last several months and they all had this bit installed. Just for what its worth. I might add this for a preventive measure for the small expense.

 

My 2013 May built R55 has it installed.

The shield part looks ok to cover the banjo bolt... but the "foil tape wrap" looks like crap. I might go hunt down an Audi/Vw 1.8T turbo oil cover line (foil, snaps on..) for added measure around the bend where the line goes down to the ground.

 

Lmao I love how in 3 days the price changed to $21.95. But I will be ordering mine from Detroit Tuned since I will be there Monday.

 

It did jump crazy high. I literally ordered mine on Monday for $11.50 shipped.