Hey everyone, It's been a long time since I've been around and I wish I was coming back under better circumstances.

I took my R56 S in last week because it had a bad coil and was basically running on 3 cylinders. They replaced the coil and changed the plugs and microfilter. While they were in there they told me my valve cover had a crack. I'd seen a few threads on this, and figured I would take care of it myself either with a sealant or order the OEM part from them. They said replacing it wasn't necessary.

Same day the car drives to work and on the way home I stop off to pick something up from the store. leave the store and the car won't start. It wont turn over, sounded like the timing belt.

So I take it in, 4 days later they call and say that one of the brackets from the valve cover had broken off and fallen into the crank shaft and basically destroyed all the teeth on the wheel and effectively eaten the engine up from inside. Now they are stating I will need a whole new block.

My question is, this happened the same day I picked the car up from them. What are the chances that this was coincidence and that the bracket broke from stress. and what are the chances that while they were poking around they didnt tighten the bracket, or otherwise caused it to come off?

TIA,
Bryan

 

Has your tensioner been replaced in the past? Do you know where the crack was?

 

I've never had my tensioner replaced. Unfortunately my service adviser wasn't very specific about the crack in the valve cover.

I've contacted them and informed them that the car was driven less than 50 miles after the servicing and that for an issue of this caliber to arise that quickly under normal driving conditions was unacceptable.

In case anyone was wondering: quote for a new block= $8K

 

Ok I was just curious. Some times the upper chain guide gets worn and can crack from a loose chain. It's the only thing think I can see being described as a bracket under the valve cover and sit directly above the chain. It also sits very close the the cover so I could see it cracking it before it falls in.

They replaced the cover or did you say you would do it your self?

 

Thanks for the quick reply Mike. They did not replace the valve cover as I said I would take care of it.

Would a loose chain, or worn chain guide be things that they should have noticed?

 

It's a long and difficult road between the valve cover and the crankcase...Something ain't adding up here. And what teeth was he talking about that got damaged on the crank? I'm new to MINIs, but the only teeth on a crank might be driving the oil pump, and I can't imagine how anything that broke off around the valve cover managed to find its way into the crankcase without human "help". I must be missing something here (it happens ya know).

 

TBH I don't know the anatomy of the prince to know what he was talking about. The issue is being escalated to the service manager and then to MINI USA if necessary. I imagine we will be finding some answers.

 

so did you get any answers?