How hard is it to replace the oil pump? I keep getting the low oil pressure light when I turn sharp corners and I suspect I may have a weak oil pump...Thanks in advance

 

I don't have the Bentley in front of me so I don't know exactly what the mini setup is like. Getting to it would be fairly easy. The oil pan just unbolts and will pull right off. The problem is that it's driven off the crankshaft and so is the timing chain. So you might need the special timing tools to hold the camshafts in place while you remove the lower timing chain sprocket. Hopefully somebody else has more info.

EDIT: If you're getting a light when turning corners are you sure you're not just low on oil? I would think that's far more common than a failing oil pump.

 

I'm inclined to agree with v10climber, I had the low oil light come on once during a hard turn and when I did my oil change only 2 qts came out. Lesson learned for me: check oil way more often!

 

+2 to low oil. The dipstick is poorly designed so getting a good read on how much oil there actually is is difficult. So even though it may look good, the car is most likely running low.

 

I add a quart like every 500 miles and i have no leaks...i dont understand it

 

Not knowing what year your car is, all I can say is this. The N14 engines are notorius for using oil. You will not leak any oil, but the engine burns it. Its due to a flawed PCV system and extended oil change intervals. Some people are able to lower the consumption by installing a new valve cover (part was updated from original for some modle years). But that doesn't work for everyone. In a lot of cases, the damage has already been done.

Just check your oil regularly and you should be fine. Some people like to replace the OEM dipstick with the Cravenspeed design. Its pricey, but gets a good read on oil level.

 

To get to the oil pump, you need to pull your passenger side axle. So undo axle nut, jack up car. Remove brakes get a hub puller and pull hub. Remove exhaust, remove rear axle mount on back of engine as well as rear engine mount. Remove ballpoint bolts. Remove all oil pan bolts. Get oil pan removal tool and slowly tap oil pan off of engine block, you may be lucky and have an oil pan gasket. Mini started to glue the oil pan on at sometime. I have a 2013. You will now have access to the pump, but you need to remove the oil pump chain etc.

 

So u guys think i just have the low oil issue? Does the pcv block off help at all?

 

There are two PCVs. People generally mess with the passenger side rear one. You could block off the PCV and it might slow your oil consumption. Or it might just result in excess crankcase pressure which will result in your engine leaking oil from the various seals all over the engine. If anything a catch can is a better option than just blocking the PCV completely.

 

+1 you are low on oil. Check your oil level, bet it was low. . Add some. And then check for oil leaks. Oil pumps going bad a few and fair between. If no leaks , check if you have the older style valve cover for the N14, here is the newer one. The older one looks a little different on the back then 11127646555 which is the newest. Some reported this helped a bit. If its cracked and leaking you will get a CEL light.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ment-help.html




We have MINI oil storage bags to hold an extra quart of oil: Good for the N14 Turbo crowd. Also linked MINI oil.


http://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_OIL_STORAGE_BAG_2000_2001_2002_2003_2004_2005 _2006_2007_2008_2009_2010_2011_2012_2013/






Thanks