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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
So my wife picked up a 2011 Justa, manual, with 108k on the odometer about 2 months ago. Car seems to run and drive well and it gets good gas mileage. It does not misfire, have a rough idle or have a hard time starting. Withing the last month the CEL has come on with a P0015 code. In the beginning the code would come on and go out on its own but now comes on almost immediately after clearing it. When the CEL come on, the car surges then returns to normal.
I have done / replaced the following:
Exhaust Camshaft position sensor
Exhaust VANOS Solenoid
Cleaned the Non Return Check Valve
Spark Plugs
I also had an oil leak into cylinder 1 spark plug tube and replaced the valve cover gasket. While I had the valve cover gasket off I looked at the timing chain and it didn't seem to have any slack. I was able to see the timing chain guides and they looked OK too.
Does anyone have any insight on what else could possibly be the culprit?
Eyeballing the chain is no indicator of chain wear/stretch and yes, it can cause timing issues expecially at that mileage. There is a dummy tool that can replace the tensioner and you then measure the slack in mm, more than 67mm then chain needs replaced. Before replacing any chain, best practice to do a compression test and oil pressure test as there is no point spending money on a worn out engine.
I checked compression when I was doing the spark plug change. All cylinders were around 175 PSI.
I toyed around a few days ago and swapped the original solenoid valve back in the exhaust side and reset the code. The CEL didn't come back on until last night. I swapped the new one back in and reset the code and started the car back up. CEL came back on IMMEDIATELY. I put the original one back in and I'll see how long it takes to come back on.
I plan on changing the oil and filter this weekend to see if that makes any difference. Car was purchased used from a Subaru dealership and they changed the oil and filter but I have no idea if they used the correct oil viscosity or if they used an OEM filter.
