2781: Combustion Misfires (cyl 3 & 4)

2870: VANOS, inlet adaptation stop

2891: Inlet camshaft to crankshaft, correlation



Anyone here ever have these codes?

PLZ HELP!

 

Yeah, my grandson's 2009 gets the 2870. Check engine light is on and he can't get the car inspected. I changed both solenoids, inlet and exhaust, but light keeps coming back. This car is driving me nuts. Is there a Mini owners support group? LOL I took it to a dealer to have the footwell jct box replaced under warranty (10year, <156K miles) and while it was there they went through the whole car and gave me a list of items that needed fixing. The total cost of having them do everything would be $5700. My grandson paid $4300 for the car! What a rip-off these dealers are! One item on the list was $600 and change to fix oil seepage from oil filter housing. I was under the car last week and can see zero oil seeping from the filter housing. Aren't they making enough money from the rich folks?

 

By the way, the price of a solenoid from Advance Auto quoted to me was $227. They sell online for about $33. I bought the cheaper ones but am wondering what shortcuts the manufacturer's are taking in order to sell them so cheap. Am i getting what I paid for? Should I be using original Mini solenoids. Would they fix my problem where the cheap ones won't? Thoughts?

 

It’s possible that the cheap solenoids are no good. But the oil filter housing is a rip-off. They charge a ton of labor for it. It a notorious spot for leaking. But you can buy the gasket sets for like $40 and do it yourself. Especially if you have a lift or good access from under the car. I did mine while my turbo was out so it was just right there to do. It’s tough to get to from up top with the turbo in place, but from underneath, it’s doable.

 

Can I tell if a solenoid is bad by measuring resistance?

 

That’s a good question. I’m sure you can somehow, but I’m not the guy to ask about that! Ha ha.
im sure someone will pop in that can answer that. There may be something on YouTube or the interwebs about how to do it.

 

Guys, before you throw money at parts, please check if the timing chain has been replaced. These stretch and produce all sorts of timing issues and vanos codes plus misfires. Either check in realtime using a good BMW scanner to see if vanos timing is out. 60K miles is about the lifespan of a timing chain set, you can also use a dummy chain tensioner to check the slack in milimeters and anything over 68mm then replace the chain/guides/lower sprocket, etc.

 

Thanks for that info. 60K miles for a metal timing chain doesn't sound like enough when fabric and rubber belts will go over 100K. Did BMW goof on the design?

 

Goof would be an understatement!!! IT depends upon how well maintained the oil levels have been, oil chages, etc but I had the death rattle at 48K and changed chain thereafter. Who knows what previous owners were doing but yes, it is basically no better than a bicycle chain in there and plastic guides plus the tensioners were never strong/long enough and have been revised several times.

 

I've done timing belts before but a quick look at what's involved with this beast has me concerned. Special tools can be expensive. The dealer would probably want more than the car is worth!

 

hello I hope you have fixed this issues, can you tell me more about it ? I have exactly the same fault code, and when my motor is hot then the fault appears and then the car is like vibrating,
HELP ^^

 

Sorry, never was able to fix it. With any car, you can read a code, buy the part that fixes the code FROM ANYONE, replace the part, and you're back in business. But not these cars. I sold the car as-is for a loss. Vowed to never buy a German car again. My opinion is that they're playing games with their computers, ala mileage figures with VW TID's, at the expense of the consumer. I don't trust them.

 

@Loic Berger Make a new discussion outline your issues and codes along with what happened to cause the issue and someone here will be glad to help you out. We are all hear because we love our cars.