[R56_JCW]

So here's the story:

I have a 2004 MC ( http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...tml#post731069 ) a couple of weeks ago, on the way back from work, it started making a faint whirring from the engine. I drove from work straight to my dealer (no more than 15 miles) The car had done 55,000 miles or so and is in top condition.

By the time I arrived, it sounded like there was a giant woodpecker in the engine bay. The Tech listened for about 5 seconds, told me the engine was finished (later established due to NO oil) and I would need a new one! When I asked for the cost, I was told.. wait for it...£7,500 for a new one or £5,500 for a reconditioned one!

I had just ordered my new MCS (due end of this month costing just shy of £25k!! from the same dealer!) and amazingly they offered me £3k for trade in!!!!

I deemed this unacceptable and promptly went about locating a different method of getting the Old MC back on the road. The best I could come up with was £485 for a back end write off 04 Cooper engine with 11,000 miles on the clock from a breaker. However even a local mechanic I know quoted £2k for the labour!

I drive the car hard on occasion, but never beyond its limit. I had just spent nearly £1,500 on new tyres, brake pads, discs and a new exhaust as well! I am aware that my reliance on the cars early warning system has been my error here (I expected an oil light if I was running low!) The car was/is fully TLC serviced

My questions to the Mini2 community are as follows:

Has anyone had this or similar happen, if so what was your resolve?

Can I replace just the damaged parts?

Should the light have come on? if so, do I have a case against Mini?

Is the dealer being ridiculous on price? Exp. having just ordered a rather costly MCS

Any response/pointers would be appreciated.

[MINIMANIAUK]

This has happened before,we have had a couple of engines damaged through lack of oil,the main bearings and con rod bearingswill have gone, the crank shaft may also be damaged,the first engine we had ,we tried new bearings at the customers request ,but it did not last more than a week due crank wear/damage.
The light for low oil pressure does light up when very low on oil,but if at speed the damage is done by the time it illuminates
A couple of times I have posted on the importance of checking oil level,and highlighted the fact that if you go off the dipstick ,the engine will sieze (it cannot pick up oil from the sump as the level is below the pick up inlet.in the sump)
Your dealer will not be interested in any responsibility your hand book tells you to check your oil weekly I believe. That is what main dealers charge,the diesel engine is even more!! and harder to find second hand
I have a cooper engine here if it is of help ,fitting charges vary around the country but no one is going to work all day replacing the engine for a couple of quid,where are you located?

[Tad]

Jeez, another reason to update my check frequency.

Tempted to go out to the carpark and have a little look.

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIMANIAUK (original)

This has happened before,we have had a couple of engines damaged through lack of oil,the main bearings and con rod bearingswill have gone, the crank shaft may also be damaged,the first engine we had ,we tried new bearings at the customers request ,but it did not last more than a week due crank wear/damage.
The light for low oil pressure does light up when very low on oil,but if at speed the damage is done by the time it illuminates
A couple of times I have posted on the importance of checking oil level,and highlighted the fact that if you go off the dipstick ,the engine will sieze (it cannot pick up oil from the sump as the level is below the pick up inlet.in the sump)
Your dealer will not be interested in any responsibility your hand book tells you to check your oil weekly I believe. That is what main dealers charge,the diesel engine is even more!! and harder to find second hand
I have a cooper engine here if it is of help ,fitting charges vary around the country but no one is going to work all day replacing the engine for a couple of quid,where are you located?

What is the best method of checking then?????

[MrJamesAlexander]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIMANIAUK (original)

This has happened before,we have had a couple of engines damaged through lack of oil,the main bearings and con rod bearingswill have gone, the crank shaft may also be damaged,the first engine we had ,we tried new bearings at the customers request ,but it did not last more than a week due crank wear/damage.
The light for low oil pressure does light up when very low on oil,but if at speed the damage is done by the time it illuminates
A couple of times I have posted on the importance of checking oil level,and highlighted the fact that if you go off the dipstick ,the engine will sieze (it cannot pick up oil from the sump as the level is below the pick up inlet.in the sump)
Your dealer will not be interested in any responsibility your hand book tells you to check your oil weekly I believe. That is what main dealers charge,the diesel engine is even more!! and harder to find second hand
I have a cooper engine here if it is of help ,fitting charges vary around the country but no one is going to work all day replacing the engine for a couple of quid,where are you located?

I don't expect anyone to work for free! I was curious to know if I could replace part of the engine, or it needed completely doing?

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyBoy230 (original)

What is the best method of checking then?????

The dipstick is still the best method to check your engine oil level. I check mine religiously on a weekly basis, and again before any long trips.

MiniMania was saying that if the level drops off the bottom of the dipstick you're in the mire

[Tad]

Just thinking about the oil level, when I questioned a BMW service person about a problem, and whether it was due to a low oil level, she said "the oil light would be on if it was too low" and now we are saying that this might not be the case.

[minicabrio]

The oil light is based on oil pressure, and when it illuminates its often too late as the engine has probably been running low for some time.

There is no substitute for regular level checks via the dipstick, as recommended in your manual.

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

The dipstick is still the best method to check your engine oil level. I check mine religiously on a weekly basis, and again before any long trips.

MiniMania was saying that if the level drops off the bottom of the dipstick you're in the mire

I understand now lol i got confused there!

[Richard Crofts]

This is why you do weekly checks

Most of the warning lights on a car are on/off not progressive and usually by the time the light up the damage is done. If your oil light comes on in a car then your engine will have already suffered damage....same as the engine water temp guage in the MINI (it goes from middle line, to hot in about 2 seconds!)

Good luck and sorry to hear about this but I think its gonna be a bite the bullet thing and new engine or get a rebuild from somewhere like Lohen, GTT, MINImania but either way it will be ££££ to fit, buy or rebuild

[Revolution Mini Works]

Quote: Originally Posted by R56_JCW (original)

So here's the story:

I have a 2004 MC ( http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...tml#post731069 ) a couple of weeks ago, on the way back from work, it started making a faint whirring from the engine. I drove from work straight to my dealer (no more than 15 miles) The car had done 55,000 miles or so and is in top condition.

By the time I arrived, it sounded like there was a giant woodpecker in the engine bay. The Tech listened for about 5 seconds, told me the engine was finished (later established due to NO oil) and I would need a new one! When I asked for the cost, I was told.. wait for it...£7,500 for a new one or £5,500 for a reconditioned one!

I had just ordered my new MCS (due end of this month costing just shy of £25k!! from the same dealer!) and amazingly they offered me £3k for trade in!!!!

I deemed this unacceptable and promptly went about locating a different method of getting the Old MC back on the road. The best I could come up with was £485 for a back end write off 04 Cooper engine with 11,000 miles on the clock from a breaker. However even a local mechanic I know quoted £2k for the labour!

I drive the car hard on occasion, but never beyond its limit. I had just spent nearly £1,500 on new tyres, brake pads, discs and a new exhaust as well! I am aware that my reliance on the cars early warning system has been my error here (I expected an oil light if I was running low!) The car was/is fully TLC serviced

My questions to the Mini2 community are as follows:

Has anyone had this or similar happen, if so what was your resolve?

Can I replace just the damaged parts?

Should the light have come on? if so, do I have a case against Mini?

Is the dealer being ridiculous on price? Exp. having just ordered a rather costly MCS

Any response/pointers would be appreciated.

Those are ridiculous prices!!!!!!
I can build you a 2.0L stroker cheaper than that.... what is going on in the UK?

amazing!!!!!

[alski]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kumho Kid (original)

Those are ridiculous prices!!!!!!
I can build you a 2.0L stroker cheaper than that.... what is going on in the UK?

amazing!!!!!

give the guy a hand.
how much to ship one of those babies to the uk?

[Revolution Mini Works]

Quote: Originally Posted by alski (original)

give the guy a hand.
how much to ship one of those babies to the uk?

much cheaper than the 7500 british pounds!!!!!!!!!!

good grief

[roland2003]

I think /presume £7500 is fitted & including vat? but that is very expensive all the same. You should check oil level every week, theres no 'please add one litre light'.
1 in 3 cars that comes in to us for GTT conversions needs oil..anything from half a litre to 2.5 litres
Best Regards Roland GTT

[R56_JCW]

Quote: Originally Posted by roland2003 (original)

I think /presume £7500 is fitted & including vat? but that is very expensive all the same. You should check oil level every week, theres no 'please add one litre light'.
1 in 3 cars that comes in to us for GTT conversions needs oil..anything from half a litre to 2.5 litres
Best Regards Roland GTT

Is there an alternative you can offer me Roland?

[roland2003]

Hi, yes we can strip it down & check for damage, as long as the bores & pistons are ok then it may be just a case of regrinding the crank main and big end journals and rebuilding with undersize bearings. This is a proper fix that should be as good as new. If the engine was burning oil in the first place (which resulted in loss of oil pressure) then a new set of piston rings would be advisable even if not going for pistons/rebore etc
Best Regards Roland GTT

[Revolution Mini Works]

if you are going to tear it apart, do it right by boring it and fitting quality pistons. Make sure you change the oil pump too !

You can get a fully rebuilt , bored and balanced engine with ARP fastners and cp forged pistons and a CNC'd big valve head for $5,000 US

[1320autos]

I think he just want it back on the road asap as he has a new S ordered.

Give us a bell and we can fit the engine for you cheaper than what you've been quoted.

[Revolution Mini Works]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

I think he just want it back on the road asap as he has a new S ordered.

Give us a bell and we can fit the engine for you cheaper than what you've been quoted.

I should hope so.... good grief

Is all of Europe like this?

[alski]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kumho Kid (original)

I should hope so.... good grief

Is all of Europe like this?

the price of gas should have given you a clue, and its not just cars a one bed slum costs 200,000+ dollars