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I'm not a mini owner, but I own a Citroën DS3, which uses a variant of the Mini's N18, with a little less power (150hp, they call it EP6DCT in French). It surely looks familiar to you guys:
Like several MINI owners out there, I'm having problems with this engine. The car's got 40k on the odo and the engine was already replaced around the 20k mark in 2013 due to timing chain issues (under a previous owner). 20k later, I'm hearing the death rattle, and experiencing the so-called super knock.
The car is currently at the dealer to have the issue solved (not sure what they're going to do, just change the tensioner, or the chain, or something / nothing else, will know more tomorrow).
Logic dictates I should get rid of a car that ate through two timing chains in 40k, especially since it's also had other issues such as failing water pump(s), intake valves cleaning, etc. But I'm afraid I'm not very fond of this idea as I quite like the car when it works (stupid, heh?).
Is there any way to make sure the problem doesn't come back at all or to drastically reduce this risk? Increase oil changes interval? Run super-premium fuel only? Anything else?
that picture look more like the N14 and if it still has the same valve cover /PCV then it is bound to have issues. I know of no one with those problems in the N18 , water pump maybe but not chain issues.
Hmmm. I must have gotten confused. I assume the N14 is the 175hp version? If yes, that's the one I have. It does have the PCV line running on the passenger side.
So you say it's bound to have issues.. I can't say that's what I was hoping to hear. I heard about shutting the passenger side PCV completely. Does that work? Or are there other possibilities like a catch can? (I don't know too much about these, never had a DI engine before).
It's hard to believe all 2006-2011 MCS's would be useless cars?! But on the flip side, does that mean the N18 is a recommendable engine?
All N14 engines useless, I'm not sure that's at all and accurate statement or assumption. I've never have any serious issues with my N14 engine, my timing chain did make a small noise 2 years ago. My timing chain was replaced. Whoever own it before me changed the oil more often than was first suggested by Mini USA, every 15,000 miles he is ludicrous for a turbocharged engine, even 10,000 is pushing it!
Once your oil has gone through 7000 miles it starts turning black like tar, all the oil vapors that have been burned away leave behind thicker black oil. It looks like tar. Its difficult to make an engine that's proven itself not to be reliable to make it more reliable, but with the newer 5th gen redesigned tensioner it will only prolong the life of a new timing chain.
The answer is yes. Don't let the N18 and F56 users fool you.
1. Timing chain tensioner
2. Replace thermostat housing to newer design for better cooling flow.
3. rip out all turbo housing and replace with superior silicon with larger diameter and better flow with a new intercooler with atleast 250% larger surface area.
4. replace vac motor with new aftermarket model that isn't prone to failure.
5. use seafoam in gas/oil/and vac line to turbo in last 300 miles / 500k or so before oil change to remove grime buildup in the engine which is its number 1 killer.
6. fix or replace oil pan seal with quality sealer as our failed not sure about your car.
Drive for hundreds of thousands. I have many friends over 150,000 miles and running strong on the N14 but it does take some love and care.
Thats an N14 engine pictured above. Like they said above, replace the major fail parts like I did on my N14 and you will extend the life. Once I had my timing chain done with the updated tensioner, it was fine.
Plug the passenger side PCV hose with plugs and remove hose. Install a drivers side catch can. This gets rid of the oil sludge build up on the valves and prevents detonation.
I think it's a crap shoot. There's no definite answer for making the n14 more "reliable". There's a guy on here who just put a chevy cruze engine in, that's a pretty good way to improve reliability...
