Common Repairs

Common repairs for 6 series BMW

BMW Repairs for BMW 6-Series Common Problems

Every car nut guy always has dreams of owning and driving the most exotic cars in the world, and then you have guys that simply are content driving whatever as long as it has 4 wheels. In the past several months I have avidly been looking into purchasing a 6 series BMW. There have been several 6 series that have come into Haus of Minis & BMW and the owners have been thrilled thus far with their purchase or simply want to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

After a lot of research on later model 6 series BMW’s we have come to the conclusion that purchasing a slightly newer 650i with an extended warranty is your best option. Reading quite a few articles on 2005-2007 645c and 650i there seems to be a few common issues with these vehicles. The problem areas on these vehicles can include replacing the timing cover gasket. This is a costly repair item due to the fact that there are three timing cover gaskets, one of which requires the engine to be removed in order to change.

The battery and alternator seem to be chronic issue as the vehicles electric system requires the battery and alternator to be in mint condition otherwise it can/will eventually create random error codes.

There is also the infamous alternator bracket oil leak. For some strange reason BMW thought is was a good idea to put a hole in the engine (for no reason) that literally requires a $5.00 gasket, but requires about 8-10 hours labor to replace due to the amount of components that need to be removed to access the gasket. If you purchased a 2004-2009 BMW with an 8 cylinder engine and just found out the dealership wants between $1800-$2200 to change this gasket you would not be very happy! This along with the valve stem seals (oil smoke) and carbon build up issue is part of the reason that a car that sold for nearly $100,000.00 a few years ago can now be purchased for under $20,000.00

Another common issue in the 6 series and almost every model V8 BMW is the expanding coolant pipe that is known to leak severely. This problem is very common on high mileage vehicles between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. There are aftermarket replacements that are made of different material than the stock part, which guarantees the repair will last longer than the original.

The 6 series vehicles that we have come across at Haus of Minis & BMW have either been problematic or no problems at all. These cars are hit or miss, you either got a good one or a bad one.

Other than the poor gas mileage and the constant buying of rear tires, these can still be enjoyable cars to own, but please get your future 6 series inspected by a certified BMW technician before committing to this beautiful vehicle.

BMW Conditioned Based Service “CBS” Maintenance

BMW CBS Maintenance: Condition Based Service Explained

To give you an understanding of how your BMW CBS “Condition Based Service” with the iDrive system
functions. The CBS system checks several maintenance items and will also alert ahead of time when the
vehicle needs servicing. The CBS specifically monitors the engine oil (most newer BMW vehicles do not
have a dip stick, they use and oil level sensor inside the oil pan), cabin air filters, brake fluid, front and
rear brakes, as well as spark plugs. The indicator lights for each of these service items are viewed
through the display screen and are also color coded. The green indicator light means ok, yellow/amber
indicator light means it is due (roughly about 20% remaining life) and the red service indicator means
service is past due.
BMW manufacturer recommends oil changes to be done every 15,000 miles using a high performance
5W-30 synthetic oil, most BMW engines hold 7 to 9 quarts of oil. It is not known why BMW does not
take into consideration traffic jams, stop and go driving, idling at stop lights, and just the normal wear
and tear on these cars. All these factors take a toll on the engine, pistons, and cylinders that going
15,000 miles without fresh oil can damage these parts, especially on a vehicle with higher mileage. Haus
of Minis & BMW would recommend servicing your BMW every 6 months or 5,000 miles.
The cabin air filters are monitored by the climate control module and clean the air that comes into the
interior of the vehicle though the heating and air conditioning system. The filters catch pollen, dust, and
other particles in the air. If you drive in an urban area that is highly polluted, The Haus
would recommend to replace the cabin filters every 12-15,000 miles. However, BMW recommends to
replace the filters every 32,000 miles. BMW estimates this based off of the ambient air temperature
sensor, heater usage, driving speeds, fan speed, rain sensor, time and distance since the last oil change.
The brake fluid is a time based service that needs to be performed every 24 months regardless of
mileage.
Spark plugs are a mileage based service and need to be replaced every 100,000 miles.
Front and rear brakes are a wear item, meaning that there is no specific time or miles that the vehicle
would need to get them replaced. Average life for brake pads is anywhere from 20,000-30,000 miles,
some can last even longer, Haus of Minis & BMW have seen customers who’s brake pads have lasted
upwards of 80,000 miles! Brake wear is based solely upon the habits of the driver and driving conditions,
so no two cars brakes will wear the same. There is a common flaw with the CBS system that will cause
the brake light to come on prematurely (with 50-60%) remaining still. If you take it to the BMW dealer
they will sell you brakes even if your vehicle does not need them yet simply because the light is on. We
always perform a visual inspection before replacing any brakes, if the brake pads are still good the light
can be reset, then wait until the brakes actually need to be replaced.

Please call 855-572-6464 (MINI) to schedule an appointment

High Pressure Fuel Pump Problems on R56 MINI Cooper S Models

MINI Cooper S: High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Symptoms

If you are the owner of a 2007-2009 Mini Cooper S model you need to be aware of the problems Mini & BMW are having with their High Pressure Fuel Pumps (HPFP). This was a well known issue on the BMW N54 turbo engine and it affected thousands of BMW vehicles between 2007-2010, so much so that BMW issued a recall. Well the Mini customers are not getting the same love from BMW, and there is no such recall to replace these under warranty. Mini did however extend the warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first on the 2007-2009 S models only. So if you have a 2010 or newer vehicle or a vehicle over 120,000 miles you are not covered. It is important that you take your Mini to a specialty shop only, because if they are reputable and know these cars they would refer you to the dealer for warranty repairs. A lot of shops, especially general automotive repair shops are unaware of the extended warranty and might try and sell you one instead.

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So, how do you know if you are having the issue? Well that is a good question and it is not always easy one to answer. The HPFP does not always just die, it sometimes prolongs the issue making it confusing to diagnose unless the check engine light comes on. Some of the pumps have been reported to die all at once, with some even failing while driving at freeway speeds, causing the engine to die (very dangerous). The most common symptom that the HPFP is starting to fail is engine surging while driving. This is usually followed up by difficulty starting, and then when the engine finally does start, it runs poorly (feels like a diesel engine). When you get to this stage, usually the check engine light will come on and register misfire codes, thankfully making it easier to figure out.

Our recommendation is that if you are having any of these symptoms to get your vehicle to a certified Mini Cooper specialist and get your vehicle checked before it becomes dangerous, and so that possible warranty coverage may be verified.

Here is the text of the letter from MINI USA-

 

 

Checking for EVAP Leaks on BMW or MINI Cooper

How to Check for BMW or MINI Cooper EVAP Leaks

The Evaporative Emission Control System or EVAP system as it is most often called, was designed to prevent gasoline vapors from escaping from the fuel tank and fuel system. When the computer detects a leak in the system it will trigger the check engine light to come on and warn you. A loose gas cap can cause the light to come on because the system detects that there is pressure loss. The system is designed to detect leaks as small a pin hole. BMW and Mini Cooper are equipped with a Leak Detection Pump (DMTL) for this purpose.

The most common fault codes for EVAP leaks are a PO442- Small leak detected, and PO455- Large leak detected. The PO455 code is most often caused by a gas cap that was left loose after refueling. The PO442 can be a much harder one to diagnose as it virtually impossible to diagnose visually. To diagnose the small leaks a smoke machine is used to find the leaks by feeding a mineral oil based smoke into the system under light pressure. The smoke may also have ultraviolet dye added to make it easier to spot under a UV light. These codes are most typically a result of intake system vacuum leaks, with the most common being cracked or otherwise leaking intake boots. The intake boots are an especially common problem on the 2nd gen Mini Cooper S model with turbos. On late model BMW’s that have a crankcase ventilation valve (most 6 and 8 cylinder models from the mid 1990’s to present day, equatable to a PCV valve) the common problem is the rubber check valve diaphragm ruptures, creating an internal vacuum leak.

Fixing small EVAP leaks can be a big problem even for professional technicians, and if you get a code for a small leak you will most likely have to take it to your mechanic for diagnosis as special equipment is required. The smoke machine diagnostic tool costs between $1000-$1500 depending on the manufacturer and requires some training to use properly. With EVAP leaks it is recommended that you always take your BMW or Mini Cooper to a certified repair facility as these can be nearly impossible to diagnose at home. Please watch our short 2 minute video as we demonstrate a smoke test on a 2007 BMW X3.

Looking for MINI Cooper Service in Sherman Oaks? Call House of Minis & BMW Today! (855) 572-6464

7 Common Mini Cooper Problems

Mini Cooper repair in Los Angeles, California

MINI Cooper Problems: The 7 Most Common Issues

MINI Coopers are fun to drive and are generally quite reliable. But like most vehicles, they also have a few issues. If you own your MINI for a while, there’s a good chance you might run into one of the following common MINI Cooper problems.

1. Automatic Transmission Failure

There was a time when MINI Coopers were notorious for having automatic transmission problems. In fact, the 1st gen CVT (R50) was so bad that BMW and MINI were the subject of a class action lawsuit forcing MINI to cover the transmissions for the earlier of 8 years or 150,000 miles. Today, these are all out of warranty. The cost to replace the transmission exceeds the value of the vehicle, making this a model you’ll want to avoid.
The transmission in the MINI Cooper S and 2nd gen models is better than the CVT model but they also have an issue with harsh shifting, which has been attributed to the valve body. If you notice this particular MINI Cooper transmission problem and can catch the issue early, you may be able to get away with simply replacing the valve body. However, if you wait too long, you may find that your entire transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt.

2. Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Leaks

Water pump issues are one of the more common MINI Cooper problems. If you have more than 50,000 miles on your MINI, you may want to consider proactively having it replaced. On the 2nd generation MINI, the thermostat housing is also completely composed of plastic, practically guaranteeing that it will eventually fail. Replacing this before finding a leak can save you a lot of money and hassle.

3. Clutch Failure

If you have a manual transmission MINI and frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, there’s a good chance that your clutch may fail prematurely. If this happens, you’ll need a clutch replacement.

4. Loose Timing Chain

When your MINI Cooper starts making strange sounds, it may be caused by a loose timing chain. If this is happening, you might notice a rattling noise under the hood, especially when you first start your car. This is an issue you definitely don’t want to ignore. If you fail to take care of it quickly enough, you may suffer massive engine damage, leading to an expensive repair job.

5. Power Steering Pump Failure

MINI Coopers are also known for power steering pump failures. One of the most obvious signs that you’re dealing with this issue occurs when it becomes difficult to steer your MINI, especially at low speeds. This is a time-consuming repair because the front of the car needs to be dismantled to access the power steering pump.
Often, electronic power steering pump failures are caused by low power steering fluid or a failure of the electric cooling fan. If you have a problem with your power steering hoses, the mechanics at The Haus can fix it for far less than you’ll spend if you take your MINI to the dealer.

6. Front Radiator Support

Unfortunately, MINI opted to make the front radiator support out of plastic, making it far less durable than if it had been constructed of other materials. This part holds the radiator, cooling fan, and condenser assembly. It sits very low under the front of the vehicle, so even a light impact on a high curb can cause a lot of damage. The lower radiator hose is also easily damaged by making contact with parking curbs. Since this sits even lower to the ground than the radiator support, it’s important to be extra careful when parking your MINI.

7. Vanos-Related Performance Issues

The Vanos system, which is BMW’s version of Variable Valve Timing, requires excellent oil flow to operate properly. If you fail to keep up with your oil changes, sludge can build up and block the small passages, creating issues.
When this occurs, the first thing we suggest is an oil change. Sometimes, the detergent in the fresh oil cleans out the tiny oil passages and resolves the problem. However, if the passages are blocked, you’ll need a skilled MINI Cooper Mechanic to repair the problem. The good news is that this problem is completely avoidable if you stay on top of your oil levels and keep up with your oil changes at the recommended intervals.

MINI Cooper Problems Often Require a Great Mechanic

While nobody wants to deal with car problems, now that you know what to look for, you can keep an eye out for these common MINI Cooper issues. Often, proactively taking care of problems can help you avoid more expensive repairs.
Whether you need basic MINI maintenance or any type of repair, the experienced auto repair technicians at The Haus will take care of it quickly and get you back on the road. Contact us today to schedule your VIP appointment.

6 Most Common Repairs on the BMW E46 3 Series

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BMW E46 Common Problems – BMW 3-Series Repair

If you own, or are thinking about buying an E46  3 series that were manufactured from 1999-2006 there are some things to look out for or keep an eye on. These cars are a favorite among BMW aficionados  and were consistently named to Car & Driver’s Top Ten list. These cars can be a long lasting vehicle if maintained properly.

Valve Cover Gasket Leaks
These leaks are common after about 60,000 miles. Symptoms will include oil drips under the car and/or a burning oil smell from the engine compartment. It is important after the leak is repaired to pressure wash the engine so the mechanic can verify there are no additional oil leaks.

Rear Window Regulator Failure
The rear window regulators can fail causing the window to stop working, and in some cases cause the window to fall into the door. The regulators are built with plastic pulleys and thin cables so even with diligent maintenance they can fail. Replacement of the regulator is required to correct this problem.

Coolant Expansion Tank Leaks
An engine coolant leak may develop from the expansion tank. These tanks are made of plastic and over time may leak causing the engine to overheat. When a component in the cooling system fails it is important to inspect the entire cooling system. It is not uncommon to find additional leaks. The radiator and water pumps are also common problems. It is important if your vehicle overheats that you pull over as soon as possible and have your vehicle towed to a qualified BMW repair shop. Overheating can cause severe engine damage!

Power Steering Pump Failure
This is a common concern on the E46, when the power steering pump starts to fail it may emit a growling noise and there may be increased steering effort. There a few reasons the pump can fail. The most common reason the pump fails is due to low fluid, caused by a leak somewhere in the power steering system. There is also a filter in the bottom of the power steering fluid reservoir that gets plugged over time and can restrict fluid flow to pump. The filter is not serviceable separately and will require the reservoir to be replaced if you have this problem. It is important to check the fluid regularly, if it is low you most likely have a leak somewhere in the system.

Rear Sub-frame Tearing
There was a class action lawsuit brought against BMW in 2009 for this problem. It was not uncommon for the rear sub-frame to tear of crack. Owners should be aware of any loud or abnormal noises coming from the rear of the vehicle when traveling on bumpy roads and contact your mechanic for inspection as soon as you hear the noise.

Faulty Tail Lamp Wiring
The tail lamp wiring was the subject of a recall a few years ago. The affected models were the 2002-2005 3 series sedans, model numbers 325i, 325Xi, 330i, and 330Xi. If you own or are thinking about purchasing one of these contact BMW and verify that the recall has been done, or if it applies to your vehicle.

These are just a few things to look out for on these models, but there are more. It is always advised you have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified BMW mechanic before buying a used vehicle. Having an inspection done will keep you from buying a vehicle that that may need thousands of dollars worth of repairs.

At The Haus we perform FREE pre-purchase inspections for all of our customers.

Carbon Cleaning For MINI Cooper & BMW

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BMW and MINI Cooper Carbon Cleaning

As we move further into the 21st century, many auto manufacturers are turning to engine management systems that employ “direct injection” fuel injection systems. Direct injection systems inject the fuel directly into the combustion chamber at the precise timing for optimum power and/or economy under a specific operating condition, or parameters.

The gasoline is highly pressurized, and injected via a fuel rail/line directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. With multi-port fuel injection the fuel is injected into the intake tract, or cylinder port. The major drawback with direct port injections, is although is provides more power and fuel efficiency it causes carbon build up in the intake valves, and over time reduces airflow to the cylinders, and therefore reduces engine power. Most fuel contains various detergents that can keep the intake valves clean, but with direct injection the fuel never touches the intake valves, as it does with a multi-port injection system. When fuel is no longer sprayed into the intake valves, it allows dirt and carbon from intake air to cake/build up on intake walls, even when there are air filters that prevent most dirt from entering the cylinder. The build up can become severe enough to cause sporadic ignition failures.

In 2003 BMW introduced a low pressure gasoline direct injection N73 V-12 engine. This initial BMW setup could not enter lean-burn mode, BMW introduced it’s second generation High Pressure Injection (H.P.I.) system on the new turbo-charged N54 straight 6 engine in 2006. This system used high pressure injectors, and this system surpasses may others with a much wider envelope of lean fuel burn time which increases overall efficiency. BMW in conjunction with Peugeot designed a line of engines (BMW Prince Engine) that made it’s debut in the 2007 MINI Cooper S model. In 2008, BMW released the X6 equipped with a direct injected twin turbo N63 V-8 engine.

The N54 and N55 twin and single turbo engines seem to be the most susceptible to the heavy carbon build up (although it effects all models). BMW and MINI dealers are happy to perform the de-carbon service for fees in the $850-$1200 neighborhood (much, much higher if you have a twin turbo V-8). The carbon cleaning is not terribly complicated on the 4 & 6 cylinder models but it does require removal of the intake manifold and a media blaster to clean the intake ports and valves.

If your MINI cooper or BMW needs a carbon cleaning/de-carbon call The Haus we can save you a lot of time & money compared to the dealer and provide the same quality of repairs and customer service.

We have a beautiful, state of the art facility and we have all of the amenities that the dealerships do, and we also provide a FREE customer shuttle within a 10 mile radius.

We proudly serve Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, Encino,Burbank, Hollywood,  West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, all of Los Angeles, Culver City, and Santa Monica.

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Common Oil Leaks For MINI Cooper

If you own a first or second generation MINI there are several common oil leaks to both models.

MINI Cooper Oil Leaks and Oil Leak Repair – R50 & R53

On the R50 & R53 models the most common ones are the crankshaft position sensor o-ring and valve cover gasket. The valve cover gasket is a fairly easy repair as the valve cover sits on top of the engine which allows for easy removal and re-installation of valve cover. The crank sensor o-ring is on the side of the engine closest to the radiator (front of the vehicle). This o-ring is much harder to get to than the valve cover gasket and can be a much messier leak. It is necessary to remove the front bumper and support to be able to tilt the radiator forward and gain access to the o-ring. Once the o-ring is replaced we always recommend a good pressure wash of the engine for a couple of reasons. The first reason is to be able to tell if there are any additional oil leaks, and the second reason is to prevent any damage to other engine components. The lower engine mount is partly made of rubber, and if this rubber gets oil saturated it will need to be replaced.

R55,R56,& R57

On the 2nd generation MINI (R55,R56,& R57) there are also several common oil leaks. The valve cover gasket on these tend to leak, just like first gen MINI. If you have an S model the turbo oil feed pipe is a very common leak and can be dangerous if not repaired. The turbo charger is bolted to/part of the exhaust manifold, and here is where the danger part comes in, when the turbo pipe leaks it sprays oil on to the exhaust manifold. The exhaust can reach temperatures upwards of 1,000 degrees, and here is where the danger lies. There is potential for fire hazard if the oil that sprays on to the turbo/manifold is ignited. This is a very real hazard and cause cause serious damage to your vehicle. We recommend that if you have the turbo feed pipe leak, that you address it as soon as possible. Another common leak on 2nd gen MINI is brake booster vacuum pump which is located on left side top of engine (driver side of cylinder head). Both Cooper and Cooper S models are equipped with these. If you are lucky enough to have the S version the dealer will cover the vacuum pump under the California Emission Warranty which is 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you have a base model it is only covered 4 years or 50,000 miles. Either way the dealer will charge you around $1000 to replace this part, at The Haus we can perform the same repair using original equipment manufacturer part for around 1/2 the price, and we give you the same 2 year/24,000 mile warranty on parts & labor as the local dealers. If you are looking for certified MINI technicians in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, or Hollywood call The Haus and speak to one of our pros and schedule an appointment.
We perform a complete safety inspection of your vehicle on every visit to keep you in the know about upcoming repairs so there are fewer surprises. Check back soon for more advice to keep your MINI in tip top shape and save you money on repairs.

Timing Chain/Tensioner Replacement on 2nd generation Mini Cooper

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MINI Cooper Timing Chain Tensioner Replacement

Often referred to as the “Death Rattle Noise”, this audible sound coming from the engine bay is the timing chain in your R55, R56, or R57. When you first start your car you may experience a noise coming from the engine bay on a cold morning, once the engine warms up the noise may go away. If you lift your hood up that noise is coming from the front of the timing cover. One of the possible causes for this noise occurs when the timing chain support rail loses tension. This support rail is made of a durable plastic, but with heat and time, the plastic can become brittle and break. If you here this noise, you should call a certified Mini Cooper technician immediately as you do not want to hurt the valve train or further damage the timing system.

Unlike most cars, the Mini Cooper uses a metal timing chain rather than a belt made of composite materials. One of the features of the BMW Prince engine is that the timing chain and tensioner are located inside the engine; the major drawback of this design is that when the timing chain or tensioner fails it can cause catastrophic engine damage. The most common cause of timing chain tensioner/chain failure is low engine oil. If you follow the MINI/BMW maintenance intervals an oil change is only recommended once a year or every 15,000 miles. This interval is far too long for the BMW Prince engine, especially if you have the turbo charged version. These are high revving engines that put out a lot of power for their size, and these engines are notorious for burning/consuming oil. We recommend an oil change every 6 months or 5,000 miles, if you follow this maintenance schedule the timing chain can last the lifetime of the vehicle. Performing an oil change is far cheaper than timing chain replacement or engine repairs. Engine replacement can run between $5000-$8000 depending on what repairs are done. Performing 2-3 oil changes a year will cost you less than $200.

If you’re in the market to purchase a 2nd generation Cooper or Cooper S. Be sure to review all service records to see if the timing chain has ever been replaced and that the oil was changed regularly. If you are buying from a dealer ask the salesman if the warranty or extended warranty you were to purchase from them would cover this expense?

Customers often call our shop and ask us, “ What are some things to look out for when purchasing a MINI Cooper?” This is a great example of a common issue. Check back for more Mini Cooper buyer information in future posts. If you’re looking for a Certified Mini Cooper repair shop in Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, or Studio City, California please give us a call at (855) 572-MINI (6464).

 

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