Hey all -

I'm looking for some advice regarding whether i need to replace my engine or not. Here is some background:

I bought an 07 MCS with 96000 miles on it ~1 month ago with a 30 day engine warranty from a garage-type dealer (not a Mini dealer). About 28 days in i was driving to work and had some CELs for misfires in cylinders 2&4. I continued to drive to work ~2 more miles and left the car there. I found that the oil was ~2-3 quarts low to even get a reading on the dipstick. Then i had it towed to a Mini dealer because the place i bought it from was 75 mile away and i couldn't drive it there.

The dealer changed out the spark plugs, then tried to start it and the valve cover blew apart, along with a core plug. They said there was a gas smell in the oil and it was probably caused by me driving it with misfires, causing the fuel injectors to spray in fuel that wasn't being combusted, then seeping in to the oil. When they cranked the engine fuel vapor in the crankcase ignited causing the valve cover to blow. They said it was my fault to driving the engine with the CELs.

Then i had them boroscope the head to see if carbon buildup was a problem - they said it was significant and there is scarring on the cylinder walls. They want to replace the engine for $4700. Considering i bought the car for 10k, i am not crazy about this.

What do you guys think?

 

Bad bad bad... What they are saying may actually make sense - how long did you drive it with the CELs going?

Raw fuel in the combustion chambers is very bad for the oil system if it isn't being burnt as fast as it's going into the cylinders... That being said, if it wasn't too too long, you can get away with it.

The scoring on the cylinder walls is bad as well- indicative of oil starvation - or no lubrication due the fuel cutting the oil. Fuel is a great solvent, and will thoroughly dilute the oil if it isn't burnt or vapourized when the oil heats up. Sad to say, but this time Mini may

have it right...

I suspect you may have been screwed royally by that shop who sold you the car...

Good luck!
E

 

Hopefully the place you bought it from will honor their 30 day warranty.

 

Wow sorry to hear of your issues. Good luck. Keep us posted on what the dealer tells you.

 

Update:

I have a new engine! After taking it to a dealership where i bought it (not a Mini dealer), i was incredibly surprise that the owner said he would stand by the warranty and install another used engine for free, or a remanufactured one if i split the cost with him - i chose the latter, so when all was said and done, i had a reman engine in the car for ~$2k, which includes a $200 tow and $500 i paid the 1st dealer i brought it to. Not too bad, all things considered.

Thanks, guy who sold it to me, for being a stand-up guy - that's pretty rare these days.

Here's what i think happened to the 1st engine - i think the misfires were caused by the scarring on the walls of cylinder #2 (clearly), the scarring was caused by a lack of oil (1.4 quarts were left), and the excessive oil consumption was caused by crappy exhaust valves (either not seating or had crap built up on them). Sound right? If so - a word to other high mileage Minis - if you are having excessive oil consumption, spend the time and get it fixed in order to avoid the nightmare i went through. Not a great intro to Minis, but i loooove driving it. Much more fun (surprisingly) than my 06 Civic SI.

 

This is amazing news. Glad to hear there are good people out there that are willing to do the right thing. Good luck