Hey everyone. New to the mini world, I just purchased an r56 s about a month ago. It's been giving me some problems. First is the loud ticking that sounds like it's coming from turbo. Second not a big issue but the driving lights don't work. Getting no voltage at plugs. Thinking maybe the turbo is starting to go. In the morning the bearings make a horrific noise. Any tips tricks or help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

What year and mileage?

 

Its an 08 and its got 94xxx. Brake light just came on today but nothing seems wrong with brakes and fluid looks to be at appropriate level

 

You should doing a search on NAM about the timing chain on the n14 engine (which is what you have). Is the most likely culprit..

 

I can do that. Doesnt sound timing chain tho sounds like bearing in turbo. Idk I am going to have to do some research

 

just going to throw this out there cause over the last week i heard the same exact noise- i've been working on cars since before i could drive, i'm around big (100-1000hp) electric motors weekly and i wouldve sworn it sounded like bearings were dry. its was hard to pinpoint where under the hood the sound was coming from. I had my car going to dealer to fix oil leak so i told them to atleast diagnose what it was. meanwhile i did a mad scramble trying to locate a donor turbo to get rebuilt. get the call from them and they said it was the breather in the valve cover making the noise i am still not completely sold on that being the fix but i guess we'll see.

 

Maybe posting a video of the noise you're hearing might help.

 

I can try to make a video. I found out tho it was 3 quarts of oil low on sunday. Added oil most of ticking and bearing noise wet away. But now when I am stopped at a light or what have you the smell of burning oil is coming through the vents. The warranty ran up two weeks ago and I know my way around an engine. Engineer in the cast guard plus auto tech degree! I'll try to post a video at lunch.

 

Be sure to check your oil regularly. The guides wear from lack of lubrication and running low on engine oil. This can cause timing chain rattle at start up, noise when running and worse-case scenario a jumped timing engine. Now, the oil smell, I'd investigate further as you may have a leak somewhere, which could be contributing to your low oil.

 

Only oil I see at all is around the valve cover. Which I believe is normal for the milage it has on it. I kind of wish I didn't buy this thing. Love it to death but nothing but problems since I bought it!!

 

Clean it off and inspect it again in a few days. The valve cover itself, not the gasket, on the R56 have been known to crack and leak. MINI has an updated version HERE (doesn't come with MINI wings, that can be purchased separately if you want). It comes with new gaskets and mounting hardware. Just make sure it is or isn't the whole cover first. I sometimes find cracks around the grommet sealing holes. If you find a crack, you will have to replace the valve cover. If you notice oil residue along the top of the valve cover near the coils (green arrow), but not in the holes, this may be from a faulty crankcase breather in the valve cover. Also inspect the center bolts (yellow arrow) for signs of leaks, as the valve cover can crack here and fill with engine oil. If you don't see any oil anywhere else, that may be the source of your smell.

 

I looked today and did notice oil residue on my valve cover on the top of it. I wiped it off and now I will check in coming days to see if it has new oil residue. It does have the mini wongs on my valve cover. Do you sell them? If so how much?

 

Would this cause engine ticking as well? Also does the crankcase breather come with valve cover if I purchase it? I'm not new to mechanics but mini I am and every car manufacturer is different.

 

Yes, the wings are HERE. The PCV valve is built into the valve cover. That's also another common area to crack and cause a leak issue, and since it's not separate you have to purchase a whole cover. With a bad valve cover most people report a hissing sound. Not always apparent, but can happen.