Cooper S Turbo Failure

[AG2]

Have others experienced turbo failures on low milage Cooper S due to blockage of oil supply to the turbocharger?
Mine had done only 32k miles and followed service schedule. But failed due to heavily carbonated oil and the supply line to the turbo becoming blocked.
I wonder if the two year service interval is sensible given the size of the engine bay and obvious heat the turbo generates??

[Czar]

This is quite a common occurrence, and yes BMW Mini are fully aware about it, here is the technical service bulletin.

SI M 11 03 08 January 2010 Engine Technical Service.

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M11 03 08 dated July 2008. designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
Turbocharger Failure - Oil Supply Line Blockage
MODEL
R55 (Cooper Clubman S) with N14 engine
R56 (Cooper S) with N14 engine
R57 (Cooper S Convertible) with N14 engine
Vehicles produced up to December 15th, 2009
SITUATION
The customer complains of loss of performance and turbocharger noise.
CAUSE
The turbocharger oil supply may be restricted, causing oil starvation and resulting in the seizing of the turbocharger assembly.
PROCEDURE
Upon replacement of the turbocharger assembly, always remove and inspect the oil supply lines for blockage or restriction. Ensure that the lines are not collapsed or kinked. Replace the lines if a blockage or restriction is detected. Inspection of the oil supply lines will avoid repeated failure of the turbocharger assembly. In addition, a protective cover should be installed on the supply line.
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
11 65 7 534 454
11 65 7 603 484
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For information only
Protective cover (1)
Description Quantity
Oil supply line 1 Cover 1

[themis]

Quote: Originally Posted by AG2 (original)

Have others experienced turbo failures on low milage Cooper S due to blockage of oil supply to the turbocharger?
Mine had done only 32k miles and followed service schedule. But failed due to heavily carbonated oil and the supply line to the turbo becoming blocked.
I wonder if the two year service interval is sensible given the size of the engine bay and obvious heat the turbo generates??

My turbo and exhaust manifold were replaced under warranty at 20k miles due to severe internal cracks on both pieces. These were caused by the excess heat the turbo produces. But that is the way this motor works. The normal EGT is in the range of 1000 celsius without driving hard. As you can imagine when such temperatures are combined with old contaminated oil or worse low oil level then the least that could happen is a blocked oil supply line.
You should follow the service bulletin Czar recommends and further more I would suggest to check your oil regularly (every 600 miles) and change it frequently (every 4000-8000 miles depended from your driving)
Remember the small aluminium protective cover. It protects the oil supply inlet line to the turbo from the heat radiation of the turbocharger.

[BRGJCW]

All turbocharged cars turbo's run very hot simply because they use exhaust gasses to drive them - recommended oil changes are every 5,000klms (~3,106 MILES) because of this reason in most cars.

If I were running a turbo I'd do oil changes regularly but this is why I wanted a supercharged version instead. Superchargers run off the crankshaft and not only run cooler but also do not spin (RPM) anywhere near as fast as a turbocharger.