Hi everyone,

A little background:

My 100% stock fJCW (n14), never ever modded in its life - not even a sticker added had the famous super knocking issue.

After Mini done extensive testing (almost 2 weeks) they authorized a new motor. I was told by the adviser it will be the new updated N18 Jcw motor. I just want to know if this is possible?? Not that im complaining about receiving an updated motor, I always thought they would replace what was in the car (N14).
Is this normal or is the adviser not being honest?

 

Did your old engine have dual Vanos (variable valve timing on exhaust and intake valves)? Also what year fJCW? If you do or do not get an N18 motor it will be easy to verify just by looking at the valve cover.

 

I doubt this is correct information. They would have to update your ECU too. But heck, if it does end up true, that's a pretty good upgrade

 

What's the famous super knocking issue you mention?

 

The N-14 engine is a single Vanos engine. Variable intake timing only. The N-18 engine is a Double Vanos Steptronic engine, meaning not only variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams , but variable valve lift on the intake valves. Several changes would have to be made to make it work. The ECU would have to be reprogrammed or changed. The Steptronic and Double Vanos system has it's own separate ECU. Sounds like that would dictate some wiring changes too. If they could pull it off it would be a great improvement over the N-14 engine. BTW the 2013 JCW is the only JCW with the N-18 engine---so far. I think your advisor should investigate further before starting an engine swap of this magnitude. Good luck!

 

Will it be a big task for the Dealership to tune the ecu accordingly?

 

I think that's what people are saying is it's not just a matter of tuning the ECU. There will be extra wiring needing to be added for the new actuators on the camshafts and the ECU will have to be replaced with an ECU from an N18 car. This all seems highly highly unlikely. I'm guessing they misspoke and you're getting an N14 replacement motor.

 

the dealer is Not going to put a different motor in the car. The adviser is wrong when he said it will be an N18 engine. They would have to do so much more than just put an engine in it would never be cost effective for them to do it when they can just put in an N14 engine.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I will seek clarification and update this thread

If I will be getting an N14 won't I end up with the same issues eventually?
Why do they replace an entire motor due to this super knocking?

 

I've not heard of this super knocking. There is a timing chain rattle caused by a bad timing chain tensioner that is well known. Yes if they put an N14 back in your car then its possible the same issue would return. Hopefully not though.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using NAMotoring

 

Super knocking / misfiring / detonating / pinging

 

If the detonation was bad enough it could have busted a rod or main bearing which is fairly involved to fix. Hard to say for sure though.

 

These things usually either hole a piston of break the ring lands. The rods crank & bearings will survive.

 

I obtained the engine number. Can anyone confirm what the N14 /n14 engine number starts with?

 

It's an N14. You would need a new DME and a bunch of other stuff to even make an N18 swap work.