Shes back!

"sony1492" (sony1492) 02/24/2020 at 23:07 • Filed to: Mini JCW

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The quadrifoglio sticker is a joke between my brother and I about how this has the reliability of an alfa.

Went out of service 5 months ago due to incredibly leaky valve stem seals, rattling timing chain, and a failed coolant crossover pipe.

Ended up being that all the exhaust valves were bent from the 2 previously failed timing chains. The head spent about 3.5 months at the machine shop with problems cropping up left and right.(parts not fitting, not having required tooling, difficulty finding parts ect.)

So the total list of what’s new: timing chain/ guides, chain tensioner, Vanos solenoid, coolant crossover, turbo housing, thermostat housing, exhaust valves, valve guides, valve seals, spark plugs, cam sprocket, and crank sprocket.

Finished it up earlier today and did about 1hrs worth of driving so far, there is a stumble around idle but outside of that everything is working perfectly, im hoping it’s bad fuel or something and the problem irons itself out. Good news is It’s making more power then it ever has and there isnt a threat of timing chain failure for another 15,000 miles or so.

66P1800inpieces > sony1492 02/24/2020 at 23:17

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So when are you posting it on CL? 14,999 miles from now ? I was looking at a 2011 with 89k for $1,000 since it needed an engine. Was very close but I already have my 66 Volvo that really needs to move under its own power (its been a good number of years). Fingers crossed it will be running in a month or two.

sony1492 > 66P1800inpieces 02/24/2020 at 23:22

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P1800 is infinitely more worthwhile then a mini, anyways it seems n14 engines are in demand and expensive 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > sony1492 02/24/2020 at 23:27

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I have an idea of what you could do if that engine gives you problems again.

sony1492 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/24/2020 at 23:38

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If ca didn't have smog laws a turbo h22 would fit the bill

BaconSandwich is tasty. > sony1492 02/24/2020 at 23:45

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A timing chain only lasting 15k miles?!

I kinda like the shape. It's an interesting looking vehicle.

sony1492 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 02/25/2020 at 00:21

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It's sort of a joke, its needed 3 timing chains in 115,000 miles

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > sony1492 02/25/2020 at 06:50

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I independently thought I would put a Quadri foglio sticker on any Mini I buy for “luck” and reliability, which makes yours even funnier . I like the Clubman a lot, but the horror stories are getting to me. Are the plain S models much less demanding?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > sony1492 02/25/2020 at 08:28

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That's insane.

sony1492 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/25/2020 at 09:26

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Great minds think alike.

The jcw is just an S with a different tune and slightly different turbo, they are both unreliable. It is said that non turbo models are better ( timing chain might last 90k), and it is also said that the later model n18 engine improved the n14s problems. I believe you can get a second gen with an n18 but the claims that it’s any better is dubious.

StudyStudyStudy > sony1492 02/25/2020 at 13:41

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Yay, I just got my Mini back last friday as well. First time I’ve taken it close to redline in months. It is amazing how much I missed the little bugger. Still has to go back for camber plates and possibly the coolant reservoir . Similarly t here is a vibration that I’m hoping is another engine mount going bad which is ridiculous, only 7k miles since replacement, but I guess that is the way it goes.

sony1492 > StudyStudyStudy 02/25/2020 at 21:37

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The mini is like a cat, it owns you.....and when you find a good road youll   fall in lov e again

StudyStudyStudy > sony1492 02/26/2020 at 02:12

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Oh man that is perfect. I want to do so much for it and I know the return will be minimal at best. I’ve been eyeing a CAE ultra shifter and some seats, but I’ve got so much on the reliability/cosmetic list to do first.