newbie

[knightwalker139]

hi everyone
i have a major problem and wanted to get some opinions from the experts
i own an 03 plate mini one ive had it 2 years and new the previous lady owner.
noticed a tapping sound when the clutch was depressed so popped into local garage thinking oil was low.
was devastated to be told that crankshaft was completely ruined and thread bearers were worn away
it needs needs a complete engine rebuild.
the real shock is that this car has only done 35000 miles!!!!!! any ideas?

[PK5]

see if you can find a recon

[knightwalker139]

thats what the garage said. im just struggling to understand how it happened. im not a hard driver more like driving miss daisy! the last service i had was not with mini could it be rouge oil? thanks for the help

[PK5]

well to me it sounds like wear and tear, unftunately there is nothing else to do as Mini wont help after all the car is 7 yrs old

[knightwalker139]

cheers am gonna get recon engine. but i still dont think 35000 miles should give that much wear and tear thanks for the advice.

[mab01uk]

This is excessive wear for crank thrust bearings at that mileage but in its previous life the engine may have been run at some point with a very low oil level causing long term damage to arise now. I have seen many MINI's with no oil even showing on the dipstick because low mileage owners can easily go 2 years between services without visiting a garage or checking their own oil level until the engine starts to rattle which is too late as the damage is done............thats if they even hear the rattle of oil starved bearings above the sound of their radio!

I would almost guarantee if you stopped the next 10 MINI's passing by, about 4 or 5 of them would have either oil or water coolant levels below minimum.

[knightwalker139]

my mate is a mechanic and he popped round to have have a look last night. he says at the the most it needs new thrust bearings. as the engine still turns over fine and the tapping only happens when the clutch is pushed in.
he sais they couldnt possibly know what state the crankshaft was in as thay cant see it!! what do you guys think?
ive bitten the bullet anyway and the poor things going into mini next week as i seem to have 2 wildly different opinions.
it does make sense that they cant know in less they had the engine out though! im such a girl!!

[mab01uk]

True.......until the engine is out and stripped it is not possible to be sure of exact cause or extent of damage if any. It may be just the thrust bearings but if the crank surface has been scored the thrust faces at least will need regrinding..............then while they are at it, it may be sensible to replace other parts like crank main/big end bearing shells and maybe even the clutch to save future labour costs.

[knightwalker139]

the cars at mini today and i have to say its not sounding great how much do you reakon this little lot is gonna cost me? can you just replace the crankshaft? or will it def be a new engine? thanks for your help.