I helped my buddy change the oil and filter on his 2013 R56S (I hope the engineers got taken out back and flogged for that design!) and the car ran fine for about 30 seconds when we were done then threw two codes : P052B and P013C. These were VANOS codes according to what I could find on the internet. We had good oil pressure within seconds after the usual dip to push the air out of the system. We disconnected the battery for about 20 minutes, but the codes can right back when restarting. Can anybody help with a troubleshooting sequence as to what/where to check to isolate and fix the problem?

 

Disconnecting the battery won't clear the codes, you'll need to use your OBD tool that you got the codes with. First, clear them and see if they come back...

 

remove the oil filter and inspect, sounds like your buddy has probably crushed it when installing.

 

We used a Scangauge to clear the codes AND disconnected the battery afterwards as a double tap.

 

Not sure what that would prove here. Sure we'd get less filtering but I can't see where it should affect the VANOS system - unless big chuncks of the filter got pushed down the oil passages. It maybe that this was just a coincidence (that would really be a bummer) but I can't figure why the filter change should have resulted in the codes.

 

these cars can be very weird but I've seen oil lights come on plenty of times after an oil change due to a crushed filter. it only takes 5 min to check if the filter got crushed, not a very involved diag.

 

I have heard of some members using cheap made oil filters that had some of the material separate from the oil filter clogging up the oil passages causing all sorts of issues. The Vanos solenoids operate on oil pressure and without enough oil pressure they can't function properly so nether can your cam timing. Also once I was given an oil filter that wasn't the correct size and was so wide it wouldn't fit into the filter housing, how easy did the filter go in?

 

I got the PO52b code a few weeks ago, coincidentally after topping off the oil. I think I overfilled it a bit. Anyway I cleared the code and it came back a few days later. Cleared it again and it has not returned after a few hundred miles.

 

No problem installing filter and it was from dealer (Mini item). I'm concerned about the debris issue and that's where I'm headed next. Never looked inside the filter. Scares me that there might have been some junk in there!

 

Minnie,

Was there any bad running or idling associated with you getting the 52B code? The car continues to idle poorly. Will be pulling the intake VANOS solenoid withing the next few days.

 

I'm laughing at myself as I should have known better, but within an hour of my post, I went for a drive and got the check engine light. It always happens within a few blocks of leaving home. Oddly though no codes are showing this time, it didn't register the event as far as I can tell. The car seems to be lower power for a moment, then I shut it down and all is well again.

I can see easy access to the front Vanos on my car, but the rear one requires more effort than my old body wants to expend.

If it keeps happening I'm off to an Indy repair shop to have him diagnose while it's in for brakes.

 

Took my car to a new Indy mechanic for brakes, oil change and troubleshooting po52b Vanos. He ran some liqui moly engine clean through with the old oil before changing to new oil. So far no more code and car runs better.

 

Sounds like you found a good mechanic who understands how the vanos system works. Synthetic oil actually becomes thinner as it breaks down and this can hide decreased flow through the vanos switch and vanos. Putting in fresh oil reveals the problem the sludge has caused.

I recommend changing oil every 5000 miles and every third or fourth time treating the engine by adding 5 oz. of SeaFoam to the oil and running the car for about 10 minutes before changing the oil. Do not subject the engine to heavy loads when doing a flush. Either just let it idle or take it for a leisurely drive (my personal preference).

 

I ran something very similar to liquid moly and I've never seen oil that black before in my life, I saw what looked like carbon crystals had a sparkle to them as it drained out with the oil. I bet most of that burnt baked on carbon in the oil feed line to the turbo is mostly gone.

Pulled my vanos after the oil treatment to have a look and it was spotless, you don't expect to see it that clean after 65,000 miles, you know it must make the oil pump work even harder. I wish I had made a video of it so everyone could see all that crap coming out, every MCS owner should have done at least every 25,000 miles.

 

My Po52B is back, cold start Vanos. Frustrating.

 

Papa , You are using good filters ?

Minnie, possible something was sucked past the filter and on the vanos screen ?
11368610388 possible a bad Vanos unit or the link from the filter clogged the screen enough. Pull it out and check the screen, also check the wire plug connection at the vanos valve.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2715070__ES2992926/

 

Had both Vanos solenoids replaced. They were definitely clogged up and just replacing instead of cleaning seemed like the best bet so I don't have to deal with this again. Car runs much better, no more faults, fingers crossed.

 

Change to oil again to get any other lint out, and make sure you use OEM filters are one of the top tier ones we carry . Seen some of those lower teir filters lint allot.

Glad you got it fixed. So much better then replacing a bunch of parts.

 

Any issues using Mann Filters?

 

I used them, no issues on Mann, Mahle, etc. Good filter Its a Gen 2 MINI issue on the filter w/ the vanos. Gen 1 dont have the vanos.