Another Total JUNK BMW/Mini Cooper N14 Engine Teardown, Dead at 107k. These are the WORST!

[@OK-ov3lr]

The cam gear was installed backwards, you can see locators used to center it on the cam.

[@michaelloeks3519]

100% that was a maintenance error.

[@Nikowalker007]

Crappy service job is the main reason

[@christopherreed4723]

Fits with the RTV found in the oil pickup.

[@Mittencarpentry]

Thought the same thing once I saw the chain rub marks.

[@Wargasm54]

Nice observation

[@josephbrownjr3564]

I love how the pistons are smiling at you while you’re disassembling them

[@thomasfletcher760]

Quite the big shnoz on them , too

[@johnperez6006]

They have an Easter Island statue look to them.

[@georgeperkins4171]

Google "the goon" from Popeye cartoons. It looks like that.

[@TrashcanGarage]

@@georgeperkins4171 Touché

[@TrashcanGarage]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who saw that. 😂

[@MikeLloyd-z2s]

At 14.13 you can see the offset of the cam gear which was forcing the chain into the head. Also explains why the aluminium carrier for the top guide fractured. When the bolt is undone for that sprocket you can see it all jump forward. Previous mechanic ruined that engine…

[@jafferm1938]

Whoever did the timing chain maintenance on that engine should never be allowed to touch a car again.

[@deplorablelibertarian]

That was the catalyst for this engine failure I think.

[@boosted95]

"Geographical sensor" That's a new one for me. I'll have to remember to ask the guy at the parts counter next time I'm in there if they have one in stock. See how long he will search the computer before he gives up and says they don't show any in stock.

[@tdotw77]

It really depends who you get! A year or so I went to AutoZone, not either of the normal ones I go to, opposite side of town -only one to have my part. I tell the counter guy I need a passenger side outer tie rod for a '00 f250 2wd. Guy asks what kind of car is it. I say an f250. Asks me what make is it, a Chevy, or whatever! I'm like, I said f250! He starts getting aggressive and says I asked you the make of the vehicle! At this point I'm like just forget it if you can't figure out a f250 manufacturer, you shouldn't be working at a parts store selling parts. Maybe sweep the floor is a better occupation for you. I just walked out & ordered it from RockAuto instead. Unbelievable this clown was that dumb! I couldn't even grasp the stupidity of someone like that, working at a parts store, selling parts through a computer that tells you everything you need to know, and not a thing more! You tell them you want a wiper for a car they ask if it's awd or not, gas or diesel, standard or auto trans, does it have grey interior or beige?! Just unbelievable 🤦🏻‍♂️😅🤦🏻‍♂️👍🏻

[@christianhaller3642]

Thats a good idea 😂

[@ali2ndmail]

Ford EcoBoost smirks in the corner. “Phew, at last. Someone to distract from my failings”

[@12345.......]

Yes! Saturday night is complete. Some people go clubbing, I watch engine teardowns

[@user-wy1dl2me2p]

Educational

[@jonniepotter1194]

Why not do both?

[@marathoner43]

Thanks for my Saturday night entertainment Eric. Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there.

[@Zeus-wl2pl]

Back at you

[@xxfcdrift3sxx]

I work on a lot of the mini N engines that come through the shop at my work, failures I have seen are: Timing chain guides, valve stems seals, cas modules, dme’s, water pumps and pulleys, harmonic balancer, tension units that turn the water pump, the press fit plugs that go into the timing cover, footwell modules, tons of thermostats (some have a superseding part that requires adaptor harness), wastegate issues, bypass valve failure, oil control solenoid harness leaks. There’s probably more I am forgetting

[@leeroberts1192]

There's a channel that I sometimes watch called "The Hydraulic Press Channel", where they crush stuff with a 300 Ton press. You should contact them to find out if a water pump from a car engine is crushable with a 300 Ton press.

[@concernedcitizen780]

You love those water pumps so much….

[@Ktmfan450]

The shipping to Finland would be disastrous

[@Germanpilot223]

⁠@@Ktmfan450yeah. I bet there aren’t any water pumps in Finland.

[@HappyHarryHardon]

@@Germanpilot223Nope. Not a single one. He’d have to ship a water pump to Finland.

[@Ktmfan450]

@@HappyHarryHardon In Finland they use Vodka instead of water That sounds like a good experiment to try Vodka instead of coolant

[@finsgutus]

I usually love the sound of head bolts loosening on basically any engine, but on this one they sound absolutely horrible omg

[@ve2zzz]

Itought the same thing... awful.

[@cageordie]

One of my friends worked on Renault engines fitted to Nissans in the UK. He has always bought Hondas himself. He took great pleasure in telling me every time a new disaster was discovered. He saw a lot of engines replaced under warranty. Happily he retired just over a year ago. My brother's A-class plug in hybrid has a French engine, fortunately he leased it through the UK NHS, so he can give it back in about 9 months. He says his next car will be a Toyota hybrid.

[@paulholm4827]

One bent bolt on the oil pump was funny adding a second one was hilarious.

[@jonsmith1914]

So I might be alone when saying this but I don't need the carnage. I actually really just enjoy your commentary. It's why I keep watching.

[@ouch1011]

In nearly 20 years as a professional mechanic, there are only 2 engines I’ve seen that had to be replaced because they bent rods without any external cause/failure. One was a BMW N20 and the other was an N13. When I say no external cause, I mean they weren’t hydrolocked, they weren’t modified/tuned, the fuel injectors were fine (not leaking), they’re just junk and bent a rod because they’re too flimsy. In both cases, it caused a slight knock, a vibration and misfire codes for the cylinder with the bent rod (because of lower compression). Both engines had less than 100k miles.

[@stefanodeanjou8732]

The bent rod is most likely caused by LSPI low speed pre ignition these small displacement high pressure turbo engines bend rods break pistons etc. The type of oil used in the engine is critical API SP or API SN plus these oil ratings means that the oil has been designed to mitigate against LSPI

[@Wicc3R1]

Timing had been done and camgears were installed wrong way! Those parts in pickup were from old guide. I think that it lost timing tension and went in lean(maybe jumped a tooth?), and then they started just throwing parts at it like the vvt solenoid without getting it any better because codes were probably from timing correlation and it had new chain so it can't be that 😅

[@stephencavanaugh8377]

Timing chain was definitely replaced and not done very well. As another poster noted the exhaust cam sprocket was installed backwards, which caused the chain to rub the head and caused premature wear of the new chain guides.

[@ChumpyChicken2]

I’m glad he removes the cram craps off.

[@IKnewMickey]

Yup. Eric knows his craps.

[@supergeekjay]

@@IKnewMickey So THAT's what a game of craps is! 😃

[@austincjett]

Thank you for showing me all the engines I no longer have to work on. Back in the days when "fixing things" was my job title, I drove GMT800's and 4 cylinder Toyota's. Toyotas are the "bic" lighters of the engine world and that's not bad mouthing the Toyotas. Early LS engines are the zippo's.

[@_BAD_MERC_]

When I sold my gas V10 2003 Excursion 5 years ago it was because the interior was shot to shit. The paint was peeling and the CEL had been on for a decade. The transmission went for the second time and I saw no reason to put more money into a vehicle with 734,XXX miles. This had a HARD life pulling boats state to state at freeway speeds with 2 dozen different drivers. No 'modern' engine should be headed for the scrapper at 100K.

[@Spitter-ud8jd]

I thought I did good with 575 K miles on mine. It would still be running if they didn't put salt on the roads. Rear rockers were gone all the way to the door striker.🍻

[@Zippadeedoodaa-nt8om]

You could've used bungees on the doors!😂

[@OneJuanWon]

I hope one day a teardown of an Mini N18 can be done. I've been looking at 2011-2013 Coopers recently, I know the N18 addressed a number of issues that plagued the N14.

[@RollingRoadEFI]

I own one. Don't.

[@Leo.g.h]

N18 suffer the same problems as n14 they are just as bad!

[@Thepeepbros]

I got my n18 at the beginning of the year. A few hundred miles of track driving later, no problems. But I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. Luckily I got a deal on the car so I accept it.

[@GrimpakTheMook]

Taking into consideration that it goes in a mini, there are some differences in terms of where certain stuff is that makes it bad. However, the major issues seem to be related to timing chain, high pressure fuel pump and carbon build-up. The PCV membrane can also be an issue (but this is a very easy serviceable thing). The 155 and 165 hp versions tend to be the worse in terms of chain issues. The 175 from.... 2012/2013 onwards(?) has improved quite a bit, and then there are 2 200hp versions: one is the 175hp version with a bigger turbo, and then you have the actual THP200 that doesn't seem to be available on the Mini Cooper (Peugeot RCZ R has it tho) and that one tends to be the better one in terms of reliability, oddly because of valvetronic (maybe?), as the chain issues tend to be rare here. Do keep a look on the vacuum lines and the turbo has that flap that might tend to get some play. High pressure fuel pump issues, if I'm not mistaken, there was a recall for that. Euro6 Prince engines are a bit more recent, and probably also more reliable, but these seem to be PSA only. Not sure (and from 2016 onwards only) Every engine here requires also needs good 0w-30 oil, no more than 10.000km between changes, and being a DI, give a look at the intake valves Advice, get a mini cooper from 2014 onwards, or just don't. Source: I own a 2013 DS5 with the THP200, now if it's the THP175 with the bigger turbo or the actual THP200... They do look quite alike, both of them.

[@CrispyCars]

Check your oil with every fuel fill up. I overfill my oil a tad bit intentionally. Check carbon buildup on valves, intake removal is simple. Do not ignore timing chain noise. Low Oil level can actually prevent the timing chain tensioner from expanding, causing a risk of chain slap and skipping time. Be ready to change oil seals, I've put 40k on mine (owned from 80k-120k) and I've resealed the entire engine. It's not that difficult.

[@BugleBoogie]

I offer this as constructive criticism: Timing chains don't use gears. They use sprockets. I enjoy your videos. Thanks for doing them.

[@Falstaff1893]

This engine & the rest in the family need regular service intervals well before the recommendations the engine oil & filter should be changed no more than 5000 mls with an Oil spec of 5w30 as they reach higher mileages of at least past 50.000 Mls

[@stefanodeanjou8732]

BMW timing gear is what made this engine unreliable. After the agreement with them ended Peugeot sorted most of the problems. as a mechanic I love working on them and there are plenty inexpensive upgraded aftermarket parts available like metal water pump metal thermostat housing metal valve cover better gaskets this along with 5k oil changes transformes this engine

[@cocodog85]

is there an up graded after market timing chain system. chains. guides. tensioners?

[@kristoffer3000]

Funny how the BMW version of this engine is much much better. ;)

[@vs6300]

​@@cocodog85Yes. The tensioner is the most critical.

[@vs6300]

​@@kristoffer3000Wrong, actually Peugeot version is so much better plus they ironed out most the issues after the cooperation ended.

[@kristoffer3000]

@@vs6300 Not talking about the Mini engine here, the BMW N13B16 is actually pretty good.

[@sergeantpeppers8858]

It's not a good Saturday night unless we get to hear the click, click, click of those cap cracks being cammed. So Eric is making Saturday is great again.

[@bilphil74]

I would love to see you tear down a 2.4 SRT4 that came in the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT with the aluminum intake. If you can get your hands on one. Great video as usual.

[@rickreese5794]

Have had several 2.4 PTs, Including the Turbos, been Basically solid, not GR8 on MPG, but other than cam sensors And head gaskets (driver unawares) been solid and lots of parts available.😊

[@2dogsmowing]

2.8s srt4 came in dodge neons also. I didn't know they came in a pt cruiser till I seen your comment and did a little research. I already knew about the neon.

[@RadDadisRad]

PT GT is a fun car. Weird but fun. Everyone loves where the window buttons are 😂

[@rickreese5794]

@@RadDadisRad Exactly 🤷🏿‍♂️, Bought a 170k miler at auction, Son drove it thru a hard winter, 6 months total, swapped him out and serviced it. Sold it to a young fellow, he put a timing belt and gear (chipped tooth) and it’s still Running strong…..💯👍😎

[@Codemanstheman]

You should do a video of your top 10 most and least liked/ reliable engines

[@rebel099tl]

In my opinion, it was everything BMW did to these engines that made them scrap, the timing system in particular. Had a Peugeot Gti that killed itself on 57k when every valve met every piston. First engine I ever stripped down and the carnage was spectacular.

[@wurlyone4685]

Agreed. It's the BMW mods that have made the reliability of this engine a nightmare. PSA engines have actually always been extremely solid, reliable units. As others have already commented though, this particular engine also suffered from an appalling maintenance mistake being done to it!

[@carlosgilpinheiro7510]

​@@wurlyone4685the main problems were in the timing chain like the BMW engines of the time. And that problem can be controlled using a better oil and not water like they "recommend". In their diesel, especially N47 that problem with distribution kill them around 80/90k kms. PSA engines were simple and durable until Prince engines arrive to market. This engine came to discontinue engine that had no issues overall 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 and 3.0.

[@vga-kingmrc3619]

Every time i watch one of your video's it relaxes me. My state of mind is at peace.

[@goosedeathable]

I finally get to enjoy an I do cars video on time! Btw, please do a Quad4 please.

[@disgruntledfaerie]

That'd be rad but I'm betting that the poorly maintained QUAD4s are long gone and the well maintained ones will probably outlast us all. They're neat though.

[@sdrape4964]

20:05 How my hip sounds after I mow the lawn

[@hornox4life]

Ouch

[@Zoomie61]

I would say engine knock (pre ignition, ping, etc) takes out the same valve in these engines. Knock takes out the weakest link and in this engine it is exhaust valve in cylinder 2. Weak/bad knock sensor probably starts the failure and the cooling in the cylinder is the weakest finishes the exhaust valve.

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

Evidently that valve situation is a known problem on that engine, you can buy a complete set of upgraded valves that come in a kit for about $800.

[@TheOwlGuy777]

You need to sell "It's Fine", "Forbidden Glitter", "Uncle Rodney Is Knocking", "Piston Nuggets", Malice In The Combustion Palace", Cram Craps" and "Oh Blue" items. I'd snatch up coffee mugs in an instant.

[@ve2zzz]

I particularly like the "Piston Nuggets"...

[@GSSurry]

He should patent the phrases.

[@LuisDhubhairt]

I saw somewhere that someone did a Honda K24 swap in one of those cars. Beside the upgrade in power, should be an upgrade in reliabilty as well.

[@utdminiman]

I had this engine in a DS3 and it's probably the biggest piece of crap I ever owned. Here's a list of what went wrong in my 5 years 45-50K ownership: Timing chain (obviously) VVT Solenoids Timing Tensioner High Pressure Fuel Pump Water Pump Water hose that goes round the back of the engine became brittle and failed PCV failure (both hose and rocker cover membrane) Rocker cover replacement oil leak Oil pan gasket Turbo wastegate fail Turbo solenoid fail Premature clutch failure damaging reluctor wheel and crankshaft sensor (need new clutch, reluctor wheel, DM Flywheel) Walnut blasting twice (engine burns oil and is direct injection) Finally I sold it with an unresolved oil pressure problem as the oil pressure dropped too far at idle when the engine is hot Also probably a few other miscellaneous plastic hoses not able to stand the heat the engine makes and cracking/snapping etc. The irony is I bought this over an Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.75 TCT as I thought it'd be more reliable. DS3s with these engines currently going for sub £2K whereas the Alfa's are holding strong as £6K-10K. Oh well, live and you learn!

[@Euro316]

CAM GEAR is backwards on this engine! Wow. No wonder the shop hated it... They are the ones who destroyed it.

[@MrGamman3yt]

And were clueless

[@ivanpetrov9230]

Old Volvo 5 cylinders had similar issue. My '99 V70R lost a valve. Something about sodium valves. A google search revealed that this is pretty common.

[@gregoryweber7408]

i don’t remember the last engine you tore down like this but glad you have parts now to sell, cool teardown sir, still learning a lot from you sharing these failures thanks eric

[@jameswestmorelandjr5040]

If I've learned nothing else from watching your videos, it's "check your oil!"

[@ottofumbler7267]

👍🏻 Thank you. Seen a few of your videos up until now, but mostly just for fun. Now I have a friend with a smoking exhaust R56 N12 which I've offered to help with, so this video was very informative. Should now be able to quickly diagnose if this is a fairly quick fix, or if it's a rebuild... which it won't be due to budget restraints. I have a theory on why the engine eats valve seats. These engines are notorious for PCV membrane leaks if not replaced. Once the process of oil being vacuumed through the combustion chamber begins, it's not long before it leads to a host of related issues if not caught in time. I plan to check the PCV and breather tube are okay, check the spark plugs for deposits, borescope inside the cylinders, compression test, etc. I'm only willing to go as far as replacing the crankcase cover and seals, but if it's anything more than that, then it'll be for the scrapyard.

[@brianchudzik7829]

For some reason, this is totally compelling viewing. And for that I thank you!

[@Coolgamer400]

As a former owner of a Peugeot 508sw with that engine, i can confirm that this engine is an absolute nightmare. Owned it not even 2 years, had 100 000km on it, and repairs cost over 4000€ in these 2 years. A shame, since the 508sw is a nice car.

[@xluumu]

At some point I was considering buying a 508. Then I read about the engine problems and changed my mind. Bought a 607 instead.

[@JeremyCarrington-ve5yp]

PSA supposedly entered into a collab with BMW, taking their tried and tested, reputable TU5JP4 engine, and BMW added "head" goodies like Vanos, turbo etc to that TU5JP4 to jazz it up... Is it just me who thinks that BMW "stuffed it up" instead? At least BMW has shown the sense to dump this engine from their vehicles, while PSA / Stellantis persevere with it!

[@dostayer3369]

​@@JeremyCarrington-ve5yp I'm pretty sure they've either ditched it or fixed it, only to make another engine which has problem...

[@PaulGriggs-y7x]

Yeah. Thanks Eric. Another great tear down. My little one says all I do is drink beer and watch engine videos 😊

[@lino100x100]

Please make a video on bmw b47. I know that it’s not so common in Us, but here in Europe 90% of BMW mount it. (18d 20d and 23d) Thanks in advance! ❤

[@squeakers27]

These engines aren't great, they are overly complicated in my opinion but a majority of major problems are due to owners not looking after them and the service intervals being far too long. I've got the later N18 engine, it's now on 107k miles, it doesn't burn any oil, it doesn't have a timing chain tick, it idles perfectly smoothly and I've not had any issues with it over my year of ownership other than an o2 sensor which is a easy cheap fix to replace. If you want this engine to last, it's not a bulletproof engine that can be neglected, it needs to have it's oil changed regularly every 5000-7500 miles, regularly check your oil level cruical for the vanos system, the timing chain is not 'lifetime' one of it's issues is that the chain will stretch (that is crap design) but since it has variable camshaft gears, it will try to adjust the camgears to counter the stretch and if the stretch is bad enough you will get a vanos code for maximum movement reached or a timing code, the idle might also get lumpy or sound odd but my point is there are warning signs to get it changed, get it changed as you would a timing belt, If you are looking to get one and it runs werid (lumpy idle), has a timing chain tick or noise, consumes oil, just run away and find one that has been well looked after with regular oil changes and serviced had any issues addressed quickly rather just ignored and carry on looking after it and it will look after you back. Fed up of countless people buying cheap neglected mini coopers and then blaming the engine. Yes it has its issues but driving it around with a check engine light, hardly ever changing the oil, timing chain rattle (and not replacing it with that obvious warning sign), ragging the crap out it and also remapping them with rubbish generic remaps isn't a fault of the engine but of the owners.

[@MiMicheIIe]

The N18 is already drastically better than the N14. Even the N18 is still a HORRIBLE engine (ask me how I know), but yeah. My Mini Cooper S was my worst automotive decision ever. Enthusiast-grade maintenance for an unbelievably mediocre engine. The power it makes is just okay, the sound it makes is just okay, the fuel economy is just okay - and the reliability is horrible!

[@peterdevreter]

Stretched chains, coolant leaks, oil consumption and so on and so on. It's crap. And that is an understatement.

[@peterpeter5666]

i hate ANYTHING mini! theyre just plain garbage!

[@SeanBZA]

@@peterpeter5666 The original ones are not too bad, just suffer the usual Leyland leaks and slop all over.

[@yapod9061]

An engine codevelopped by BMW and PSA, it was a recipe for disaster.

[@prevost8686]

It seems that the companies that once had great reputations for building quality engines are in a race to see which one can destroy their reputation the quickest… Toyota, BMW, Honda… and the list goes on.

[@prevost8686]

@@yapod9061Any engine co-development by two separate entities usually doesn’t end well.

[@samcraig3924]

I am glad you have another video for us Eric . But what's up with the snack packs of pudding by the fire extinguisher?

[@mystisith3984]

One of the reasons modern 🚙 are way more expensive that old ones is the fact that 100K miles is the new 300K miles. Granted that maintenance is done & no donuts were made, there should be a minimum constructor warranty of 150 K miles, else it's planned obsolescence.

[@vikingdude17]

Still hoping for an old Saturn 1.9l DOHC/SOHC from the s-series to make a debut for teardown!

[@andrewallason4530]

I had a Holden (Opel) Astra when I was younger. It was a decent car. My father had a BMW 320 at the same time ( mid 1990s). His car was 3x the cost to buy and service. He also had to have a switch installed that when the engine was idling the air-conditioner would turn off, or the engine would stall. BMW techs could not be assed trying to figure out the problem, so they bastardised the aircon. Unfortunately, in Western Australia with summers being four months of over 38’c every day, it was bloody awful. My Astra, however, just worked. Perfectly. Every time.

[@renchjeep]

Burnt exhaust valves seem to be common on these N14's. #'s 2 and 3 especially. I think the valves are made of some special metal that I cannot remember the name of. One of the major contributing factors to the N14 failures are the CBS, or condition based servicing oil change intervals. They were LONG. And because they were long, and this small turbo engine (as well as other small turbo engines I would assume) with the thin low-tension piston rings tend to burn oil, well there's the whole checking the engine oil level between long service intervals. You know how often MOST folks check their oil, right? Yeah. So, low oil causes the oil pressure tensioned timing chain tensioner to slack off due to inconsistent oil pressure, the timing chain starts to slap the plastic chain guides, and those plastic chain guides break....and there you have it. End of N14. If folks would just check their engine oil level more often, and maybe change the oil and filter at say 5000 mile intervals instead of waiting for the CBS to tell them to change the oil, well......I guess then a burnt valve would take care of things! Take care, Eric, and thanks for the great teardowns! Stay cool, man!

[@archisbald]

Blue to the rescue!! 21:13

[@innesm]

Another great video Eric. Thank you. I absolutely love the sound of the bolts being cracked. Cheers

[@Tedjenkins55]

Oh dear someone put the cam sprocket backerds. The only decent French engine was the little 4 pot 8valve TU engine gutless but very simple and bulletproof.

[@vs6300]

Practically anything they made between 1995-2005 was bullet proof. Then came 2006 and they released this messy Prince.

[@gsbeak]

@@vs6300 between 1960-2005. 403, 404, 504 engines were bullet proof for hundred thousands of km.

[@vs6300]

@@gsbeak Yes they were reliable for their times but nowhere near the reliability of the engines produced in the above mentioned era. I have driven them all so I have an objective comparison. The difference is that the ones produced that era can do 1 million kms never opened on routine maintenance, but the older ones may need a gasket at least twice in the same period.

[@BLCKVD]

Soon 175 000km Peugeot RCZ here with still original THP156 engine, still ticking like a clock, I don't have problems, even when it's tuned in dynamo to 190HP and 285Nm, but obviously I change my oil at every 5000km

[@pxidr]

The timing chain part was designed by BMW on the Prince engine, not PSA.

[@dav2mai]

Funny that you made another video on this engine. I've watched the other one a few times already, since I own an N13.

[@bmwdad5128]

I daily drive a Mini with this engine in it. Would like to argue with you but I can't. My advice: change the oil every 5k and use 91/93 octane.

[@markchapman2585]

Love to have a business like yours. Keep up the great content 👍🏻

[@christofschwarz6602]

@7:03 They do that, because EPA regulations prevent modern engines from sounding like we are used to them. Audi has "sound modules" in their exhausts to make a V8 Diesel sound like you expect an V8 Gasoline engine to sound, Mercedes plays sound trough the car speakers etc., ...

[@mmllmmll22]

This engine wasn't modified by bmw, it was build together by bmw & psa. It's also called "The Prince" or THP. It has problems with piston rings getting full of crap, burning oil, stretching timing chain, cam phasers stopping work, burning even more oil, throwing codes for crank/cam correlations.:D

[@ryandoyle4344]

Toyota 3.4tt teardown would be popular, if one can be located! Hot topic atm; Would love to see the internals & oil routing. Does front main get oil last?

[@CFG39]

The N18 was much improved. The timing chain and turbo issues were the killers of the N14, as was DI that caused so much carbon accumulation. The N18 was such a good to drive engine and I’m sure PSA has fixed all of the issues with them now seeing how they’ve now been on sale for 17 years and still put them in a variety of Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel, Vauxhall, etc. I owned an N18-equipped JCW and it was a really fun car. That little 1.6 sounds good, was fuel efficient, and this engine pulls hard from 1250RPM to redline. If reliability had been top notch on the rest of the car I would’ve kept it longer than 4 years. My issues were not engine related but all to do with electronic components and crummy plastic trim pieces that broke. The clutch was also a weak point that was super expensive to replace if you didn’t get it done under warranty.

[@johnjunge6989]

Just an educated guess, but those valves are closest to the turbo, and it generates a lot of heat. On a diesel, if turbos idle too much, are are not allowed to cool down after a heavy load ( like on a dyno) - they can cause other issues. My guess!

[@flyprincess69]

Bought my 2003 R53 in 2006 with 28k miles. Still driving it today with 245k miles. Runs great!

[@jack9223]

I owned a 2010 Mini Cooper S with the N18 engine. Brilliant car and I’d highly recommend looking at swapping the N14 in your JCW to the N18, assuming your JCW is pre-facelift. My N18 had been tuned to run a respectable 230hp, the car and the engine were perfect, best car I’ve ever owned! They get an incredibly bad wrap, but if you get the right Mini with the right engine, you’ll want to drive it all day every day. The Cooper S’ were updated to the N18 in 2010, the JCW’s were updated to the N18 in late 2012 I believe.

[@rickfearman6827]

Today is not saying thank you for a Tear down but saying happy Father's Day for a great Dad thank you❤

[@TCW-hw6iw]

It looks to me that the one timing gear, on the side where the chain had scored the head, was put on backwards at some point. I think this engine must of had timing issues in its history.

[@sithus1966]

At 11:37 you can see the chain is in the head because of it.

[@GrainGrown]

must *HAVE, not "of"...

[@Raymo2u]

I have a R56 with almost 160k on it. It needs some valve seals replaced, but for this moment, it's running very well. It's got a stage 2 manic tune with full bolt ons....I've beat the living shit out of it every day I've owned it. I've replaced the hpfp 3 times becuase 2 were DOA, replaced the lpfp, thermostat 3 times, waterpump 4 times, changed plugs and coils a few times, new valve cpver, new vanos splenoid, replaced almost every sensor on the engine atleast once, replaced all vacuum lines, got a new and a ko4 turbo for it. If it were more reliable it would be #1 of all the cars I've owned - it is driving wise...but it's down randomly for the dumbest reasons...but I love it when it works.

[@CanadianSamsquanch]

The bolt cracking sound is strangely satisfying

[@Zeus-wl2pl]

You stole my comment. I agree wholeheartedly

[@callmefoxie2950]

I have the equivalent PSA engine but non-turbo (so port injection instead of direct injection and no turbo) and I am at 136k miles on it (220k km) burns oil a lot but other than basic parts like thermostat or VANOS solenoid no real issues surprisingly :) When eventually the engine goes I will be half tempted to rebuild my Peugeot 207cc as EV. Probably easier than doing a full rebuild of the engine :D

[@RaifRaif85]

Exhaust sprocket was fitted the wrong way round! Damage behind the crank hub caused by a previous chain snapping. Most likely caused by the vacuum pump seizing

[@cocodog85]

is there an up graded after market timing chain system. chains. guides. tensioners? because installing stock, just means that you'll have to do it again soon.

[@Dis-Emboweled]

This was am EJ-1 failure. Pretty mild. The valve didn't take anything else with it. But the metal part of the timing guide that was broke was impressive

[@markdavies3528]

I once had a 2009 Peugeot 207GT which had the N14 engine, it was recalled by Peugeot for the timing guides failing, I believe that the original material the guides were made of was not strong enough

[@ianriggs]

Some engineer at BMW or Peugeot or wherever thought that his idea to run the dipstick thru a timing guide was the most brilliant idea anyone has ever had

[@khalidacosta7133]

The block is from a very reliable PSA design. BMW stipulated it had to use timing chains whereas PSA typically uses belts.... and that's where all the issues began!

[@ianriggs]

@@khalidacosta7133 ah ok interesting 👍

[@davidv5510]

​@@khalidacosta7133 Thats not true, it it not reliable at all. PSA went from chains to belts and the problems became even worse

[@ahmetcantasci]

@@davidv5510 dude is actually right. psa was long time user of external timing belts with a plastic cover. dead reliable. after prince engine, they tried to kept the internal timing component design but used a belt instead of chain, soaked in oil just like chain. that's where the problems began.

[@martinchabot_FR]

@@khalidacosta7133 tell that to 1.2 puretech owner... way worse than 1.6THP...

[@Wargasm54]

My wife had a mini with this engine. She freaking loved that car😅. I did all I could to keep her in it, but after about 6 grand worth of work to it, it had to go. That thing was constantly in the shop. Car only had 64k on it at the time. What a steaming heap of shit. Oh, exact same failures as you’ve found in your last two mini engine tear downs.

[@MokanEngineer]

Same here. Wife bought a new '07 Cooper S and loved it, but that's because I did all the looking after it and fighting with the dealer. It would have blown up if I was not around to baby it as it consumed about a quart of oil every 1000 miles. After about 30k miles and an intake cleaning due to carbon buildup and a timing chain replacement, we traded it. She misses it, I do not.

[@mystisith3984]

There's a reason you don't see a lot of recent Minis on the roads (I see more vintage ones I swear).

[@Wargasm54]

@@MokanEngineer exact same issues. Bits of the timing chain guides had to be fished out of the entire engine and of course the carbon blasted it out. It was a spiffy little car. Surprisingly large inside. And it had get up and go…when it went. But man that thing was killing my wallet 😂. The wife was pissed at me when I got rid of it. Until I came home with her next car, a Mercedes. That was 3 years ago. The Mercedes has only set me back for regular maintenance so far.

[@Wargasm54]

@@mystisith3984 that’s funny. I made that exact statement to my wife. We used to see mini coopers everywhere a few years ago. Now they’re becoming increasingly rare to see.

[@milkymarssnickers]

@@MokanEngineer so true ...... i still stick with my 09 N14 R57 ... with all the mentioned work that has to be done again .. and again .. Its a summer and fun car now. I wouldn't rely on it as a daily. For every day and the dogs i own a 99 Volvo V70 - that's a tank compared to the MINI

[@alvinhyman6838]

The very short exhaust manifold coupled to the turbo is probably causing a heat issue on that one set of exhaust valves. Probably hard to do but a good thermal video of that area will probably show a point of excessive heat concentration and probably also a peak area of back pressure! Just my guess from build structure.

[@sparkyprojects]

For the oil pump, you could have clamed the chain with grips to make a kind of chain wrench, or use a chain wrench you might use for an oil filter ;)

[@rand49er]

So, if that cylinder was running lean, the flame front would've been slower and the exhaust valves would've been opening while the flame front was making its way out of the cylinder through the just opening valve thereby burning it. Is that the thinking? Or is there some other mechanism going on? Certainly is interesting it would be the same valve for both engines. Another enjoyable video!

[@davestark2015]

Always a pleasure to see a new episode. Cheers Sir 😊

[@MrDdefos]

When you took off the crank bolt, I just about had a heart attack.

[@BobBobson]

Those pieces of timing cassette you found in the pickup go to the old timing cassette that grenaded. What you pulled out was the replacement cassette. Timing chains fuck up on those all the time.

[@joeblow8593]

Replace the valve, put it through the parts cleaner and sandblaster and it will be good as new.

[@daytrypper]

Love this week's "Cram the cam craps off" 😁

[@JDM-Jack]

One major problem of this engine is that oil flushes below the cylinders and cools everything. There are like 4 valves that push the oil wehere it belongs and after some time these valves fail and the oil can't cool the cylinders.

[@v12mike30]

On the bottom of the high pressure fuel pump there is a pressure accumulator for the oil inside the pump. It the cylindrical bit with a hole that you can see a spring inside. If you measure the depth of the hole, it should be about 19mm, if it is significantly more, then the pump has probably lost most of its oil and has failed (or will very soon).

[@ivokiller2000intel]

In Argentina we mostly have those Engines as Peugeot's THP. The nickname they've earned is "THPUM (as if saying TH BOOM). Theoretically they have been mostly fixed along the years, but I still don't trust them

[@Smakheed]

Before you start I'll go for Fan resistor failure causing overheating and #2 cylinder area head gasket fail.

[@ThefeeXP]

The burnt valve comes from oil consumption. It collects on the stem of the valve, hardens and at some point its enough to have a very small leak. Hot exhaust gasses do the rest.

[@arbrim98]

Would bad valve stem seal cause the same?

[@JohnEvans-ct6mz]

I will never understand why BMW and Mercedes don’t like timing covers. So many just don’t have them. Also from working for VW/Audi, I can appreciate what a pain it is disconnecting Bosch electrical connectors.

[@billgraff4809]

LOL, Mini Cooper was the ad sponsor during my watching of this video 😂.

[@thelonelywolf88]

I just want to say thank you Eric for teaching me all about engines and what their common issues or failures are. It helps me a lot at the garage I work at

[@CajunReaper95]

I feel like a lot of engine failures are owner caused either due to lack of maintenance or they’re ran hard and haven’t been beefed up for the driving style, but a lot of the times engine issues are user caused…an engine is only as reliable as the owner is on getting it regular service!

[@Rich77UK]

My 2008 R53 (supercharged) was a peach, but i do t think its just the charger that changed. I did oil changes every 6k miles though.

[@reecedrury4145]

Still waiting on a Tritec out of a R53 mini....

[@iissac22]

Own the n18 and have replaced just about every part on this engine. Doing valve stems next week

[@hyphensclassics]

What are the odds they would have the same issue, I would say really high. Common issue, hpfp stops working properly. The top chain guide also would have helped cause the issue with the chain rubbing on the head

[@gpzjeffrey7974]

Obviously had a timing chain / guide replacement job due to broken chain guide, where the exhaust cam gear was then reinstalled backwards. Doubt it was properly indexed and timed with the Mini cam alignment tool. Out of time = burnt exhaust valve. Mechanic that worked on it before was a hack. Honestly this could have been saved if it had been properly diagnosed. Compression/ leak down test would have shown the burnt valve. I would be worried about the valve shrapnel in the turbo. The N18 is a better engine than the N14 for sure.