I have heard that the mini cooper s from 08-11 the n14 engine(i think)takes a quart of oil evrey 1.5k's or so. Is the true and if so why does the car do this?

 

In reality, a lot of different car brand dealers say this. When I was an SA (non-MINI), we said 1qt for every 1k miles was "normal." I even get this in my Subaru, which are known for eating oil as well. Not saying I agree that this should be normal behavior, but it is seen across many different makes as well. Some really well detailed threads on NAM about oil consumption. I linked to a good post in the 2nd thread below:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-1k-miles.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3845410
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ou-burn-2.html

 

By what i have read from that tread, this issue is not normal. We run full synthetic castrol 5w-30 and change it evrey 5K, but now the oil light is going off a lot sooner than its suposed too. Is it safe to put OW-30 in the car? I dont want to ruin it. we fixed a coolant problom/water pump and i dont know if that has anything to do with it.

 

Check out this thread on NAM here and ask the OP what he recommends as far as oil. He's gone through some extensive testing with different oils. He might give some good input as far as what oil to go with to help with consumption. In those threads I posted, can't remember which, but there was some discussion about running different oils to help with consumption as well.

 

Thanks much pelican Cheers Badge from SC

 

Anytime!

 

Seen some that burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles and seen some that don't burn at all or very little on the N14. But most/ some are from other leaks external from burn off and they dont see it. N18 does not seem to consume that much.

Now on the older engine like on my R52 MINI cooper with the Tritech, it does not burn much oil at all, if any. And the newer JCW Coupe burns very little ( 50k) and its an N14 JCW.

 

So would you say this is a "normal" problom? Is it something to worry about?

 

I bought mine a little over a year ago with 49K on it. I had no issues until just recently. I am now also burning a good amount of oil. I also see the residue around the valve cover and have seen a bit of it on the ground. I would say my "burned oil" is more of a leak. Before the small leaking issues, I never burned a drop.

 

That oil light has nothing to do with your oil level, it measures oil presure and if you're seeing the oil light your dangerously low on oil and most likely causing excessive wear and tear. I add 1 quart every 1000-1500 miles and some add more or less, it depend on a lot of variables.

I think it has more to do with Mini being lazy by not designing any device to catch amd return oil vapors back into the oil pan, something Mini corrected with the N18 engine. Also the N18's come with an volume control solenoid for the oil pump which also helps keep oil consumption down. Also the N14's run way to hot in my opinion (224-226F) while the N18 typically 185F. Racing engines run at 210F, I don't know what Mini was thinking because there's very little headroom with regards to exceeding an oils max temp ratings before it starts breaking down.

 

Thanks for the help guys i decided just to keep on putting 1 quart every 1500 just to be safe. i never knew the mini engine(N14)ran so hot.
Cheers Badge from SC

 

My recently found new Indy mechanic told me that he has been using

5w-40 to cut down on oil consumption. He just changed my oil, so I can't report yeah or nay at this point, but he is the most meticulous knowledgeable mechanic I've come across in a long time.

 

It's probbly a good idea to check your oil at every time you gas up until you determine how much oil your engines is consuming, I burn through 1 quart 1000-1500 miles but add oil every three gas-ups to keep it topped off rather than wait till you have gone 1500 miles because by that time you're already too low.

 

+1 on liquid moly

 

by gas up you mean fill the tank, right?

 

i dont really want to put in stuff that is not exacly reccomended. I just dont want to kill my mini.

 

0W-30 isn't recommended either, that 5W-40 would probably be as thick as Mini's heavy 5W-30 oil as it tends to be heavier than most all other 5W-30 oils. Going up 10 on oil film thickness doesn't hurt anything. If you keep waiting for the oil pressure light to go off your engine won't last long at all, you don't wait until you loose oil presure before adding more oil! I'm betting by waiting for the oil pressure light to go off is why it's coming on sooner, because the damage is done and your burning more oil than before. This is why I would never buy a used Mini, people don't know or simply wait for a light to go off that isn't there to tell you to add oil, it's there to say hay im losing oil pressure. There's this thing called a dipstick.

 

I dont wait for the oil light to go off, i put oil evrey 1500 miles. ill try 5W-40.

 

I go through probably a quart and a half sometimes two every third Fuel fill up..Approx 900 mile turn for this additional oil add.
Consumes oil more than burns it..in my opinion. I have no leaks very clean block and lines I constantly check under around and all lines and fluids at that point, adding oil every third fill up.
Strange that this engine does this "consumes oil" I use 5w-30 conventional and at times 5w-30 synth. As often as I go through the oil I change out less often than I should filter change oil change etc,. due to the daily driving I do.

 

In post #3 you say that the oil light is coming on much sooner than its supposed to, it's not supposed to come on at all if you're adding oil. If you're seeing this oil pressure light coming on sooner than its supposed to (your words), this means you're waiting till the oil pressure is well below one quart. I have never had my oil pressure light go off ever since I have owned my Mini, these oil pressure lights go off after its too late, bad design on Mini's.

 

Running 0w40 Mobil One in my 2011 MCS since I bought her at 21k. Now at almost 50k, 5k oil and filter changes, and I see MAYBE 1 quart usage between oil changes. I check my oil frequently, as I know that high-strung, small displacement turbo engines used as hard as mine WILL use some oil. Nature of the beast. Theses little critters run HOT! Top-up as needed on oil, as that is the only thing keeping your engine alive. It's very easy to forget to check your oil ONCE, then lose track of the entire situation! Make it a plan to check oil on EVERY gas stop, just for peace of mind. Cheap insurance, in my opinion.

 

MINI's should have more gauges! I know, beating a dead horse, as all of those aftermarket add-ons can give you readings for oil pressure and whatever. Waiting for an "idiot-light" to come on is just way too late. Most idiot-lights turn on at 4 PSI, far too late to save your engine. AND, commit to either conventional dyno oil or synthetic. Switching back and forth is not good for your engine or your engine's seals.

 

its gone off a couple of times now since i put a quart evrey 1000-1500 it dosnt go off.

 

yes definently, ill make sure to check it evrey gas stop, i am going to change my oil/filter in a few days thanks for the help.

 

this is my first r56 that wasnt covered by warrenty(or so i think i bought it without even a spare key, i have no idea what the warrenty is) i didnt know that r56 minis took so much oil so the idiot light did come on a couple of times.