Just thought I would post here about a problem I was having with my 2011 Cooper S Countryman All4 6AT and what the solutions were. Let's just call it my little contribution to internet searches! :-)

Basically I had one issue with my car which was driving me around the bend. After any prolonged idling as would typically occur when waiting in a traffic jam, sitting at a border crossing (we live right near the border with the US), crawling through a Christmas light show., etc., I would see curls of smoke creeping up from the back from the back of the car accompanied by the smell of burning synthetic oil (LOL). When I finally pull away, the smoke would become something akin to what secret agents in the movies would dump in front of their pursuers as a smoke screen but it would be blue. Yuck!

A search of the internet (and this forum) yielded the 2 most likely culprits. Turbo and PCV valve:

Turbo:
I had the turbo replaced first since it was weeping at the seals with oil supply line. This was done a month ago. BTW, when it was removed it was also found to have a large amount of play in the shaft which connects the exhaust and intake sides of the turbo. I replaced it with a slightly larger capacity (think JCW size) from TurboChargerPros.com -> https://www.turbochargerpros.com/buynow/40-82757_S5 This didn't solve the problem but at least I am benefiting from a bit more power vs. the stock turbo and it won't need replacing anytime soon! And at $700 US for the whole kit and a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty it was a steal. It was 7 hours labour to install so all-in I was out of pocket about $CAN 2000.00. Still lots cheaper than the dealer and a very well made turbo indeed.

PCV Valve
The PCV valve is integral to the valve cover on my N18 engine. Yes, there are a number of rebuild kits which purport to replace and properly seal the membrane (which is the specific failure component) but I wanted it done right and since the membrane is integral to the valve cover this meant replacing the whole valve cover. This I had done today and with the OEM assembly c/w gasket. While I was waiting for the part to come in, my independent mechanic McGyver'd a temporary oil catch can and it really is amazing the stuff it caught in a week ...stuff that would otherwise exit through the breather hose into your intake to be burned in the cylinders. I have mixed feelings about buying an oil catch can going forward, but I can install it anytime I want if I change my mind. The practical side of me thinks it would be a bit of a pain having to drain the oil/water/crap out of the catch can with every oil change. We'll see.

Anyway, I am posting here just to help people out who have had similar issues. If I had to do this all over again, I would insist that the independent do the valve cover / PCV valve first as that was what my gut was telling me but my parents taught me to listen to peoples' advice if they know more than you do on a subject and this independent garage is very honest.

 

Nice! Yes, usually when you get smoke after extended idling, I would check PCV first. Glad you got it!

How many miles on the engine?

 

181,000 km. Roughly 112,000 miles. Doesn't burn a drop of oil other than that "little problem". :-)

 

Thanks for sharing. I have a 2012 R60 All4S. I was getting some white smoke if i leave my car idling for awhile too. I have 49,000kms on the odometer.My mechanic told me i need to change my engine valve seals.The seals were cheap and also the engine cover gasket, but the labor for the job cost an arm and a leg. Since then my car has stopped smoking but I don't think we ever checked the PCV valve.