Greetings,
I am the not so proud owner of a mostly stock 09 Cooper S. The car runs like a top - except the turbo is non-existent. I have had it for 6 months with no turbo issues at all. I found topics on this site (and others) that are related, but am still stuck. I think someone said that it was electrical, like a glitch in the computer, but wasn't conclusive. I really don't want to take it to Mini. I have a cheap obdi2 reader that doesn't find any fault codes, but can clear all codes which will take the warning off the dash and enable the turbo again - until it spools up again and then throws the engine code on the dash. I've checked that the wastegate is closed while running and seems to have good pressure (vacuum) but have not measured the vacuum. I recently replaced oil cooler gaskets, so while both ends of the turbo were open, I checked for play/damage on the turbo spindle. While is spun freely and there was no play, if I applied side pressure on the spindle bolt while trying to spin it, it would not spin freely. Can anyone offer suggestions/help? Thanks you.

 

First off you need to find a quality scan tool that will read manufacturer codes, because generic P-code readers don't tell you the whole story.

You say if you apply pressure to the spindle bolt it doesn't spin; do you mean apply lateral pressure to the turbine shaft while trying to spin it?

These turbos are fairly notorious for wastegate issues in near every vehicle platform they've ever been used in, so I wouldn't at all doubt that the turbo needs replaced, but you need to start with getting the whole story from a dealer level scan tool.

 

So the spindle actually sits horizontally in the turbo, and if I apply pressure up or down on the end of the spindle it seems to drastically impede the rotation. If I spin the compressor blades they feel good - only when I try to turn the spindle by pressing sideways on the nut at the end of the shaft does it feel like it wants to stick. The car is in great shape with 70,000 miles. I guess that I need to take it to Mini for diagnose.

 

Moving you to the Gen2 area. We Gen1 supercharged folks know very little of those fancy turbochargers you have.

 

 

Without trying to turn the spindle, try moving it from side-to-side and up-down --- there should be zero movement. Any movement indicates shot bearings. There should also be no movement when pushing or pulling the spindle --- axially. It's only supposed to spin.

 

My money is on a bad wastegate.... if the spindle bearings are shot... you should hear a rattle as well as see the damaged/worn blades/housing. While you may be able to see it move... even a badly worn wastegate moves... it just does not close and seat well which cannot be viewed until you take the down-cat off. Good luck!


P.S.... the bearing is only an oil lubed brass sleeve!!

 

+1 I would get the schwaben tool and scan it first, then once you have the codes it can point you in the right direction.

Once you have that you can narrow down wastegate or something else, I would like to see the codes and you most likly pull up a bunch of old codes that were not deleted. Might want to clear it all first.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-q-and-a.html

 

I just wanted to post a follow-up on my car. You guys gave great advice, so I decided to replace the turbo. I bought the entire assembly (MaXpeedingRods) on eBay for $240 shipped. Upon installation, I noticed that the vacuum diaphragm was not closing the waste gate. I removed the new diaphragm and replaced it with the old one and now she is running strong. My car came with a non-digital boost gauge and it reads 15-16 max psi. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but the power feels good. I also purchased a Schwaben scan tool. What a nice piece of equipment that is. Cleared all the codes and now she gives a clean bill of health.
It's good to be back on the road again in the Mini,
Thank you!

 

Glad to hear!