R56 FJCW - oil consumption
Discussion
I know there are lots of threads discussing oil consumption etc, but wanted to get some thoughts on this before I deal with the MINI dealership later this week...
Bought a lovely low mileage (35k) 2008 FJCW from Mini dealer in April 2017 - so far so good - great little car but very 'crashy' suspension!
Been watching oil consumption like a hawk and keep it topped up. Took it to Cornwall last week - 250 mile drive. Checked the oil when down there and estimate it drunk 0.5 litres in 250 miles! Not happy! Car is bone dry underneath - so no oil leak and no sign of blue smoke, but it must be going out the exhaust!
Car is under warranty and after speaking to MINI, have booked car into nearest dealership - Dick Lovett later this week. They promise to check it over because oil consumption is out of limits - they quote 0.7 ltr per 1000 miles is normal! That to me still seems like a lot of oil being burnt off but there you go.
I just wonder what MINI are going to come back with - not a lot I fear apart from TADTS, but I suspect the engine could do with new pistons/rings etc... should I also be asking for a walnut blast of the inlet ports?
Any thoughts, comments & suggestions most welcome as I want to go to the dealership fully armed and not be fobbed off with some old carp...
Thanks
Bought a lovely low mileage (35k) 2008 FJCW from Mini dealer in April 2017 - so far so good - great little car but very 'crashy' suspension!
Been watching oil consumption like a hawk and keep it topped up. Took it to Cornwall last week - 250 mile drive. Checked the oil when down there and estimate it drunk 0.5 litres in 250 miles! Not happy! Car is bone dry underneath - so no oil leak and no sign of blue smoke, but it must be going out the exhaust!
Car is under warranty and after speaking to MINI, have booked car into nearest dealership - Dick Lovett later this week. They promise to check it over because oil consumption is out of limits - they quote 0.7 ltr per 1000 miles is normal! That to me still seems like a lot of oil being burnt off but there you go.
I just wonder what MINI are going to come back with - not a lot I fear apart from TADTS, but I suspect the engine could do with new pistons/rings etc... should I also be asking for a walnut blast of the inlet ports?
Any thoughts, comments & suggestions most welcome as I want to go to the dealership fully armed and not be fobbed off with some old carp...
Thanks
Hmmm... just heard from g/f who took the call from Dick Lovett that the car is ready... the have checked it over and cannot find anything wrong (quelle surprise)!!
They have topped the oil up and have instructed her to drive the car for 1000 miles and then check the oil... but if the red engine light comes on in the mean time to give them a call.
Muppets.
They have topped the oil up and have instructed her to drive the car for 1000 miles and then check the oil... but if the red engine light comes on in the mean time to give them a call.
Muppets.
UPDATE: Following another check, BMW MINI have now found a serious compression problem with my engine. The car is now going in tomorrow for a engine strip down and probably new rings to be fitted. Thank God I still have 3 months warranty remaining. Going to ask to a walnut blast at the same time while the head is off...
Final update (hopefully):
Picked up car yesterday - the final parts (not labour bill) came to over £3300!!! Thankfully all covered by warranty... add in the labour bill and it would have been close to the value of the car.
From the printed parts 'bill' they replaced the piston rings, oil pump, cam chain & tensioner and everything associated plus a full rebuild of the head including new valves, springs, collets, stem oil seals & some drag levers (what are they?) - 16 of those levers at a cost of £380!
Car is running well and very quiet & smooth, so just need to watch oil consumption now - it certainly takes off in sport mode, so the car was definitely down on power before.
Very happy to report back that the dealer came good in the end... thank God for that warranty...!!!
Picked up car yesterday - the final parts (not labour bill) came to over £3300!!! Thankfully all covered by warranty... add in the labour bill and it would have been close to the value of the car.
From the printed parts 'bill' they replaced the piston rings, oil pump, cam chain & tensioner and everything associated plus a full rebuild of the head including new valves, springs, collets, stem oil seals & some drag levers (what are they?) - 16 of those levers at a cost of £380!
Car is running well and very quiet & smooth, so just need to watch oil consumption now - it certainly takes off in sport mode, so the car was definitely down on power before.
Very happy to report back that the dealer came good in the end... thank God for that warranty...!!!
Edited by Spingo on Friday 26th January 16:48
Edited by Spingo on Friday 26th January 16:49
Thanks Gary.
Taking the car on a long run soon to check that all truly is working as it should be. Also noticed that the exhaust note is sounding very healthy now - of course JCWs are always loud, but now it sounds a bit more harmonious if that makes sense?
It truly was a large bill - probably inflated a bit by BMW's own official (high) pricing, but even so, not the sort of bill you want to be paying out of your own pocket!
Will keep you posted with another update in a few weeks..
Cheers
UPDATE:
So after about 18 months since the top end rebuild by BMW Mini I can happily say that the car no longer uses any oil - quite amazing after its original oil consumption issues! The car now has an oil change annually (we only do about 5k a year) which is a much better approach IMHO - I really don't like these extended oil services.
A top tip for measuring the oil I find is, to wipe clean the dipstick, then squirt a bit of brake cleaner on the end. The plastic end then goes matt in appearance and when dipped again the shiny oil level is much clearer to read. Works for me anyway.
Only issue now is someone reversed into the passenger side of the car, so it is now back with Dick Lovett for repairs again! Thankfully the damage was very minor and the driver owned up, so not cost to me, just a PITA!
So after about 18 months since the top end rebuild by BMW Mini I can happily say that the car no longer uses any oil - quite amazing after its original oil consumption issues! The car now has an oil change annually (we only do about 5k a year) which is a much better approach IMHO - I really don't like these extended oil services.
A top tip for measuring the oil I find is, to wipe clean the dipstick, then squirt a bit of brake cleaner on the end. The plastic end then goes matt in appearance and when dipped again the shiny oil level is much clearer to read. Works for me anyway.
Only issue now is someone reversed into the passenger side of the car, so it is now back with Dick Lovett for repairs again! Thankfully the damage was very minor and the driver owned up, so not cost to me, just a PITA!
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