No engine light or any codes because I have a Garmin Mechanic connected to it so it tells me details for an engine light and some readings too like temp, intake, timing etc.

 

I love to do that but I don't have the space to do it and this is actually my first car. I am more familiar with a motorcycle so it's a big which one is which for me right now .

 

I could try that. Actually I just found out it was smoking when I brought it to the SMOG test. I use it everyday to go to work and when it is warmed up and you came to a stop while waiting for the traffic light to turn green it is quiet like your engine has stalled on you but you can see at the tachometer it is still running.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I put an action cam at the back of my car to see how bad the smoke is while driving it normally on my way to work and it was barely nothing. I can still do 0 to 60 in 5 seconds but this time with a little smokescreen . Anyway I'm still waiting for my Tax return to get this car fixed but I'll keep you posted. In the meantime here is one of my fun ride with my MINI six months ago --->

 

Its never fun when these things happen there are some causes which are no big deal. These engines have excellent ignition and fuel controls so they will keep going until the pistons are seized in the bores unfortunately you need to pass inspection to stay on the road. With direct injection engines that get fouled the rings and cylinders loose their sealing ability but Fingers crossed you may be OK go to the Mini Dealer if you need an answer, have some coffee, take a test drive, lounge about and let them give you the list of stuff it needs they will include it all and the price will be high but you have options, if you don't have a good space to work on the car ask around maybe you can get some help with that. Yes I'm very into just digging in and I think this stuff is fun so if you go that way the way to approach the mini is a bit different with hood up the front body work snaps off the bumper comes off the radiator goes away the ac is the only real kicker now its a lot like working on a bike

 

does your car make some funny noisy when the smoke came out? like metal clatter, tapping noise?

 

I may be way off base here, but we recently had a smoking issue with one of our 2013 Ford Police Interceptors. Direct-injected 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo. The issue was solved with a re-designed valve cover and PCV for the right-side head. I suspect that direct injection and turbo is causing many issues lately. Perhaps the PCV blowby is being introduced into the combustion chamber at the wrong time? This Interceptor looked like she was laying down a smoke-screen. New valve cover and PCV system fixed it. Something to look at, maybe?

 

You never did 0-60 in 5 seconds....ever....

 

There is no problem with finding the right mechanic..there is a building probably right off the 405 like everything else in LA that has a big MINI banner on the side of it, where I have no doubts that you will find mechanics who have worked on a MINI before. So please stop the madness, wasting time driving from random shop to random shop on San Gabriel Blvd. when they can't figure it out. Whether they deserve to be in the same family or not MINI is owned by BMW. This isn't a Honda, ford etc where all the mechanical pieces are big, apparent and very easy to service. The car has design quirks and annoyances..Just go to the dealer...they are going to charge you a diagnostic fee but at least you will know the issue. If it works out - great. If not I'll be in LA in 2 weeks and give you an extremely low offer on the busted car and cart it home to NJ :-)

 

and this guy speaks the truth. these cars are too complicated to just take to any yokel down the road and expect a 100% accurate diagnosis. several very knowledgeable people have told you good steps to take, ignore at your own risk. there are several cheaper fixes, there are plenty of not so cheap fixes, and there are plenty of places to dump money with 0 improvement.

 

Hi Lets build support for the Mini it may have a quirk or two but its nothing mysterious and quite fun to work on I’m sure there are plenty of good mechanics about to get a better price than the dealer from. The dealer is just an easy suggestion but in no way the only way. Best result would be that the car gets fixed by its owner and more mods get planned.

 

Obviously he's done an engine swap and converted to awd

 

Maybe 0-60 might not be so far fetched in a month or two. LMFAO.

 

Sorry for the late reply. I got my MCS checked at MiniWorx West LA and this was the diagnosis and repairs made to eliminate the smoke.

 

What in the world is a motor oil saver ? If your burning oil put new plugs in the engine ?!?! Interesting

 

It's an oil additive - in the description it calls out liquid moly engine oil saver...helps to restore seals according to the product page in Amazon.

As for the OP - have you learned your lesson on going to random shops now? I am assuming at this point that mini worx smogged the car too?

 

MiniWorx don't do SMOG test. After 500 miles they want me to go back to check the oil consumption.

 

I have heard that filling your car with a very heavy will slow oil burning in order to pass an emission test. Change your oil, get the car checked, and then change your oil. It's an old car dealers trick. IT WILL NOT FIX ANYTHING, but may allow you to pass your test.

I have also heard that a good diagnostic test is to look at the color of the smoke. If the smoke is gray/black, the problem is 'oil' related. If the smoke is white, the problem lies elsewhere. Sorry I can't tell you more about this as I have never had this problem

Good luck on finding the cause of your problem.

 

Thanks. That's what I'm thinking about at least it will give me time to save money to let someone work on the engine. I know the problem is internally in the engine but they just don't want to work on it because it's a lot of work.

 

Don't do this on a turbo car which is pulling it's oil from your main oil supply..wrong weight oil or kind of oil in a unit turning at 150,000+ RPMs could yield very bad results .. Blown seals, blown turbo etc..

I'm not enough of an expert on your turbo to tell you if it will work out or not but don't blindly try this trick.

Also your diagnosis from mini worx says the car is operating normally - is that not true?

I'll say this again - stop playing the old ford/Chevy tricks on a newer sophisticated car.

 

Can someone recommend me a mechanic in LA that knows how to tear apart a Mini Cooper engine without hesitation? I guess I just have to bring this to the dealer to get it fixed.

 

Really, a shop doesn't want to work on it because it is a big job?

 

Yes that's true. After they did that kind of fix I told them how much will it cost to replace the engine for my MCS because I know there is a problem internally and they told me that and it will cost like 8 to 10k and they do not advise that because of financial reason and I will leave the car for a week etc.. in other words discouraging me not to do it. The final words was "Let's see first if this will solve your smoking issue. Bring it back after 500 miles and we'll top it off with oil".

 

What 8 to 10k for engine swap crazy in a good shop that knows its stuff it should be a cake job $3500-$4000 rebuilt unit very complete and a couple days work add a few odds and ends, should be around $6000, unless you get a new turbo or something. Also if your compression is good and you are not getting bad blow-by it could be something more technical. white smoke is oil not to be confused with water vapor, black is fuel. OIL sources, valve guides, past piston rings, leaky head gasket, crack, turbo seals, crank case breather system. did they scope your cylinders? value is relative if this is a car you really like what would it cost to get an almost new one. these are not super complicated engines just a bit quirky. It sucks that you don't have any work space can you ask around these are fun cars that are worth getting to know and mod with a turbo upgrade and tune you could be under your 5sec if you want, add some suspension work and brakes and its a fun day at the track.

 

You should take it to Motoring Magic in Thousand Oaks, CA for a second opinion on possible engine problems. They specialize in the Mini Cooper and I highly recommend them.

It does sound like you're jumping to conclusions though, assuming that there is some major engine problem just because you have a small amount of smoke out the back. And there is a difference between smoke out the tailpipe being caused by oil (loss) inside the engine versus oil loss outside the engine caused by a leaking gasket or cracked oil cooler or something.