Mini owners heads up

awd2510 · 04-04-2017, 02:55 AM

Good morning!

Just a heads up for those on the forum who may have a new mini along side their beautiful f30! (or another model with the 18i 3cyl engine).

My wife's 2015 Mini Cooper 5dr was in for its first service yesterday and we were told that there was what they called an "engine upgrade" needed. Turns out that the upper crankshaft bearings were to be replaced. They said that it was due to premature wear of them on the new 1.5 3cyl engines. If any knocking or the slightest sign of wear was detected they would automatically replace the engine. My local dealer said that they have now done approx. 100 with only a handful needing the engine replacement. No indication of mileage from the ones they have had to replace the engines. Ours has only done 6.5k in the last two years since it was purchased.

Just something to look out for. If you have this engine and it has even a slight knock, get it in and checked. I know that this may not be a common engine in the F30 but I think it is a popular option in the Mini.

isleaiw1 · 04-04-2017, 03:23 AM

Used to have a mini with that engine - and daughter still has one so thanks for the heads up. Originally the issue with replacement engines affected the 2 litre in the S model. Hadn't heard of it on the 3 cylinder - some early issues with the diesel but the petrol seemed to escape.

Off to f56 forum to find out more...

creepy coupe · 04-04-2017, 03:32 AM

This has been an issue since birth 2014 for the 3 banger and 4 in some models.It#'s also detectable by a wafty clutch pedal action on manual cars.

xenon · 04-04-2017, 03:43 AM

WTF is an "upper" crankshaft bearing when it's at home?

creepy coupe · 04-04-2017, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

WTF is an "upper" crankshaft bearing when it's at home?

I think it's the upper shell bearing which also acts as a trust collar.

xenon · 04-04-2017, 03:50 AM

So not a crankshaft bearing then

creepy coupe · 04-04-2017, 03:51 AM

creepy coupe · 04-04-2017, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

So not a crankshaft bearing then

Yes a crank that has a thrust bearing (part of the main bearing) Not the big end.

xenon · 04-04-2017, 03:58 AM

Upper part of the main bearing. Gotcha.

ronime · 04-04-2017, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awd2510

Just something to look out for. If you have this engine and it has even a slight knock, get it in and checked. I know that this may not be a common engine in the F30 but I think it is a popular option in the Mini.

... and the only option on the i8.

It disappoints me that you have to press the clutch pedal to start the engine on many vehicles. This forces the crankshaft against a dry thrust bearing.

isleaiw1 · 04-05-2017, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Doesn't that bulletin say Cooper S with 4 cylinder engine - not the Cooper with the 3 pot....

Ian

creepy coupe · 04-05-2017, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Doesn't that bulletin say Cooper S with 4 cylinder engine - not the Cooper with the 3 pot....

Ian

No it doesn't. I only pasted it as a reference to "upper crankshaft bearing" The OP has a 3 cylinder and the recall advice, So I'm guessing there might be an issue.

04-04-2017, 02:55 AM	#1
awd2510 Private First Class 28 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 328i modern Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Stockport iTrader: (0)	Mini owners heads up Good morning! Just a heads up for those on the forum who may have a new mini along side their beautiful f30! (or another model with the 18i 3cyl engine). My wife's 2015 Mini Cooper 5dr was in for its first service yesterday and we were told that there was what they called an "engine upgrade" needed. Turns out that the upper crankshaft bearings were to be replaced. They said that it was due to premature wear of them on the new 1.5 3cyl engines. If any knocking or the slightest sign of wear was detected they would automatically replace the engine. My local dealer said that they have now done approx. 100 with only a handful needing the engine replacement. No indication of mileage from the ones they have had to replace the engines. Ours has only done 6.5k in the last two years since it was purchased. Just something to look out for. If you have this engine and it has even a slight knock, get it in and checked. I know that this may not be a common engine in the F30 but I think it is a popular option in the Mini.
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04-04-2017, 03:23 AM	#2
isleaiw1 Lieutenant General 8773 Rep 12,253 Posts Drives: iPace / Mini Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Used to have a mini with that engine - and daughter still has one so thanks for the heads up. Originally the issue with replacement engines affected the 2 litre in the S model. Hadn't heard of it on the 3 cylinder - some early issues with the diesel but the petrol seemed to escape. Off to f56 forum to find out more...
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04-04-2017, 03:32 AM	#3
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	This has been an issue since birth 2014 for the 3 banger and 4 in some models.It#'s also detectable by a wafty clutch pedal action on manual cars. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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04-04-2017, 03:43 AM	#4
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	WTF is an "upper" crankshaft bearing when it's at home? __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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04-04-2017, 03:50 AM	#6
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	So not a crankshaft bearing then __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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04-04-2017, 03:51 AM	#7
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	__________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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04-04-2017, 03:58 AM	#9
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Upper part of the main bearing. Gotcha. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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