At only 70k miles my 2007 R56 blew a head gasket. The repair cost (and risk of further repair cost) has made me decide to cut my losses and move on.

I have spent sunk a lot of time and money into this MINI, sadly it time to say goodbye.

Repair History:
- Hill assist
- Cold Start problem
- Belt line molding repair
- High-Pressure Pump
- Thermostat and housing replace
- Recall on Auxiliary coolant pump for turbo
- Engine mount
- Transition mount
- Control arm bushing
- Sway bar links
- Water pump
- Oil pan gasket
- Oil filter housing gasket
- Trunk switch and latch
- Replaced valve cover
- Timing Chain
- In-tank fuel pump
- Fuel regulator
- High Pressure Fuel Pump
- Turbo Heat Shield Recall
- Turbo intake boot

 

sorry to hear about your engine trouble ,but how did it blown a head gasket? overheated? or boosting issues?

 

I never received any heat warnings. I felt a significant loss in power and some shaking while climbing a grade at freeway speeds (wasn't pushing hard). Weather was dry and cool. As I started to pull to the right as a precaution, the engine light came on. Pulled to the shoulder quickly, parked and let it cool down. Eventually coasted down hill to the next exit and called AAA. There was a strong smell of burnt coolant and white smoke. Dealer tells me I lost compression in cylinder No. 4.

Car has never been tracked and the only Engine upgrade I have done was the JCW dealer installed kit.

 

Welcome to the club. At 80k miles I started having multiple misfires in cylinder 2 and 4. Buddy whos a tech non mini diagnosed it as a burnt exhaust valve. The last 2 3 months the thing has all of sudden had a million things wrong with it. Right after my extended warranty ended to.

 

How much would you want for the engine?

 

I decided to use it as an as-is trade in for a new vehicle. Sadly I don't have space to store it and part it out. Otherwise, NAM would have been the first place I offered it up.

 

Cylinder 3 and 4. The 2 end cylinders. Does anyone care to read my mind ? Give ya a hint, goes straight until acted upon by an outside force. ( side of an intake manifold )

 

How much did they give ya for the car with the blown head gasket?

 

Sorry to hear. I certainly don't find any fault in your decision. Did you have carbon buildup issues as well?

These cars while fun can be trying on the patience and the wallet. Especially the 07-10 R56's. Personally I would never buy another but that is me and I understand this is the Mini forum and probably not the most popular viewpoint.

On the bright side there are a lot of great options out there for replacement. Options that are probably cheaper and more reliable and just as fun.

 

I did have carbon build up problems, seemed like very time I took the car in for service, I needed a carbon service added on.

 

bummer!!!

 

Were they actually walnut blasting the valves or using one of those sprays/foams that they add through the intake?

 

I was told they used walnut blasting.