2011 MCS N18. Have been getting P0015B intermittently, now becoming more frequent it seems. 117k miles, I replaced the head (good used 37k mile head, soda blasted valves before re-assembly) and MINI brand stock thickness head gasket at 109k (head gasket blew, was getting compression into cooling system). This code was popping up before the head gasket job, so I would say not related. I replaced both VANOS actuators (with aftermarket units) and cam position sensors (with Bosch units, which I understand are OEM brand) well before the head gasket job, still had P0015B pop up occasionally. Driving home yesterday from a 400 mile trip, about 250 miles in, P0015B set, and I would clear, only to have the code come back within a minute or so of driving off. This would put the car in limp mode, so no turbo. Pretty frustrating with about 80 HP instead of the 200+ that I am used to! Drove in putt-putt mode til wife and I stopped at a store about 25 miles from home. Car sat in parking lot for maybe 15 minutes after I cleared the code again. Started up fine, and drove (uphill) the last 25 miles with no issues. I have been looking around for a common cause, and along with the usual bad sensor, bad VANOS solenoid, and bad VANOS actuator (EXPENSIVE little bugger, that actuator!), I found somewhere that this can also be caused by a vacuum pump issue. Maybe, because it is driven off the rear of the exhaust cam. I don't hear any noise form the vacuum pump, and it seems to work. It rotated just fine when it was off for the head and gasket job. Anyone seen this kind of thing before, and could I get some ideas of where you guys would start? I am thinking of replacing the vacuum pump, as it is original, but those are not cheap....especially the MINI branded ones. Anyone have good luck with another brand of vacuum pump? Thanks for any and all help! ( I hope my rambling made sense....)

Cheers!
Chris

 

did you reset/clear the adaptation?

check the vanos solenoids, they might be clogged with debris

 

I will check the VANOS solenoids and clean if needed. I will also swap the cam position sensors, just to see if it follows to the intake cam. Now....resetting adaptations....how is that done?

 

You’d need either istad or toolset32 to do that. I’m not sure if there is a procedure outside of that.

 

Ok. I will check the solenoids for cleanliness and operation, and for shorting internally. Then go from there. Another question, if I may: How susceptible to timing chain stretch and/or failure are the N18's? I am at 117k, and have had the car since 21k, so I assume the chain is original as I have never replaced it. I did replace the upper guide and the tensioner when I replaced the head and head gasket. I keep a very good eye on the oil level, and have never been more than 1/2 quart low. I use Mobil1 0w40 and factory oil filters only, and change both every 5k miles. Oh....make that two questions: Have you ever seen a failing vacuum pump cause P0015B? Pretty sure mine is original, but it felt fine when I had it off for the head and gasket job. It is not making any noises, and the brakes feel just fine.

Thanks for all your help, MiniToBe!

 

Material wise, both made of the same thing. But i feel the N18 timing chain lasts longer with good maintenance schedule. I personally would plan on replacing it if you get time. It is always good to check it out of the list.

as for the vac pump, you’d have to read the actual vacuum to determine its health. But it won’t hurt to cross it off the list too.

Usually anything related to timing would be cause by these vanos solenoids or gears. Boost issues usually the vac lines under the intake.

finally, it doesn’t hurt to check the timing again. Sometimes the vanos gears take some time to fill with oil and operate. It happened to me on an N14 that sat for a while. After the initial start, the timing was off a little and had to be reset.