Hi all,

Yesterday my 2002 Mini Cooper (about 110K miles) started idling very rough and stalling at traffic lights, and the Service Engine light came on. I managed to get it to my local mechanic (not a Mini shop, but they have done good work for me in the past) . Today they looked at it, did a compression test, found that one cylinder had zero compression. They say I need a new (or replacement) engine, will check around for pricing and get me a quote tomorrow. Anyone here know roughly what I'll be looking at, dollarwise? My husband says he's ok with $3000 or less; anything more than that and we would probably have to sell the Mini for parts. Is 3K reasonable for parts/labor, or am I dreaming?

thanks in advance.

 

You don't trash an engine just because a cylinder has no compression. Engine swaps are faster for the shop - and with fewer headaches.

Did they shoot a little oil in the cylinder and run the test again? It could be rings, valves or both.

Did they scope the cylinder to check the cylinder walls for gaulling?

New engine will be more than the car is worth. Ebay engine prices range from less than $800 to well over $3000 - but the mileage will vary.

The local redneck junk yards here in Ga. want close to a grand for a clunker motor. They think very highly of the junk.

 

Ask them if they did a dollar bill test, if they didn't then you should. If the bill flutters like in the video, the exhaust valve is burnt.

A Justa or a S?

 

And ask them what codes are present.

 

justa.

Would a dead exhaust valve cause stalling and rough idle?

 

A burned exhaust valve would absolutely cause a rough idle. I'm preparing to swap heads on my '05 cooper. It has a burned exhaust valve on cylinder 3.

 

How long have you owned the car and have you been using premium or regular unleaded????????

 

Im considering engine replacement for my 05 base mini with 150k as well. Although, I'm not sure if its the right decision. I had P0302 and P0313 codes for about 3 months now. I went to my mechanic who did compression, leak and some other tests. He could not find anything wrong with it. I brought it to a dealer for diagnosis. Dealer said its caused by an injector. After 400 bucks, as I was driving back to my house, the codes was back. Brought it back to the dealer who now said its the camshaft and the whole engine is shot. Im taking it to another mechanic for another opinion. Id like to make it work again. I don't want to spend and waste 400 here and there and end up with the same problem. Maybe a total engine replacement will do it.

 

I replaced my head last year for ~$1k doing the work myself. I recently thought I spun a rod and was able to find an engine with acceptable leakdown/compression numbers which showed a blown head gasket for $1k. Figure $300 to reman the head, ~200 in gaskets, bolts, and you have a solid engine for $1500. If you want to be conservative, add in another $500 for oil pan gasket, front and rear main seal, and crank pulley repairs while everything is out and accessible. So figure ~$2k-2300 or so for something solid with most everything addressed while it's out. Swapping the engines probably requires 6-8 hours billable. Averaging $100/hr, that's another $600-800. Tops, I'd say $3,300 for something gone through fairly well.

 

Thank you. Your information makes me want to do this myself. I am not a mechanic. i do basic maintenance, brakes and that's it. This could me my chance to learn. Although, if I can find a reliable mechanic near me (north new jersey) that will work too.

 

They are trying to do more than a dollar bill test

 

Look up the codes with the BMW definition. Then ask them to explain P0313 if the engine is bad.

And the dollar bill test doesn't work on BMW's or MINI's - you need to use a $20 since the cars cost more......