The Haus is your neighborhood engine service, maintenance, and repair shop in Los Angeles, CA.
MINI Cooper and BMW Engine Service
At The Haus, our certified technicians have previous dealership experience, so you can be confident that you’re receiving the best engine services in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Our team can install and maintain engines and engine parts and perform a variety of engine modifications and upgrades on your vehicle.
Engine Services:
- Oil Change
- Spark plug and Coil Replacement
- OBD 1 and 2 Diagnosis
- Sensor Replacement
- Engine Maintenance – Filters
- Engine Repair or Replacement
- Head Gasket Repair or replacement
- Valve and Timing repair or service
- Intake Manifold replacement
- Engine Vacuum Issues
- Oil Seal Repair
- Performance Engine Upgrades including performance Chips, Camshafts, and more
Is Your “Check Engine” Light On? Here’s What the Problem Might Be
Noticing a check engine light on your BMW or Mini Cooper can make your heart skip a beat. Sometimes, it is a major issue, but in other cases, it’s a simple problem that’s easy to repair. Here’s a look at some of the most common issues you may be dealing with.
Loose or Faulty Gas Cap
When your gas cap is loose, broken, or missing, this can lead to a reduction in fuel pressure, which can allow fuel vapors to escape. This can lower your vehicle’s fuel economy and increase harmful emissions. Luckily, it’s an easy fix. If you notice that your check engine light comes on right after you fill your car with gas, this is the first thing you’ll want to check.
Vacuum Leak
BMWs have a vacuum system that lowers emissions and performs an array of other functions. If your check engine light has come on and you notice that your RMP is high in idle or randomly surges, this may be due to a vacuum leak. These commonly occur when vacuum hoses crack due to exposure to intense heat or extreme cold.
Worn Spark Plugs
Your spark plugs ignite an air-and-fuel mixture that creates combustion and powers your engine’s cylinders. If they aren’t working correctly, this can cause your engine to misfire, increasing hydrocarbon emissions and causing weak engine performance.
In some extreme cases, spark plug problems can cause your engine to have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs or spark plug wires can also lead to other problems like damaging your O2 sensors or ignition coils or clogging your catalytic converter. Since these are more complex and expensive repairs, it makes sense to address spark plug issues early on.
Faulty Catalytic Converter
Your catalytic converter turns dangerous carbon monoxide into harmless carbon dioxide. A lack of regular maintenance can cause damage to this part, leading to reduced fuel economy, lower engine performance, and the inability to pass emissions tests.
A faulty catalytic converter can also cause your vehicle to run at a higher temperature, which can lead to other issues caused by overheating. Simply replacing the converter won’t fix the problem, since the damage is often caused by something else, such as a blown head gasket.
Dirty of Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor (MAS) measures the amount of air that enters the engine to help determine how much fuel is needed to run the engine. These sensors are often susceptible to dirt and oil buildup, so in some cases, simply cleaning your MAS may fix the problem.
However, if it doesn’t, then you’ll likely need a replacement. When the air-to-fuel ratio isn’t correct, this can lower your fuel economy, reduce your vehicle’s performance, and cause failures in other areas of your engine.
Faulty Oxygen Sensor
Your O2 sensor (oxygen sensor) measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. A faulty O2 sensor can reduce fuel economy and cause damage to your spark plugs and/or catalytic converter. This problem can also cause your vehicle to fail its emissions test.
Problems with Aftermarket Parts & Accessories
If you’ve added an aftermarket alarm, exhaust, or other items and they haven’t been installed correctly, this can cause major problems with your vehicle including performance issues. It’s also possible for incorrectly installed parts to break other parts in your vehicle, so it’s important to address this issue right away.
Common Signs of Engine Problems
There are often other issues beyond the check engine light that can indicate potential engine problems. If you notice any of the following warning signs, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle to a certified BMW or Mini Cooper technician as soon as possible:
- Knocking noises from under your hood
- Excess vibration
- Increased exhaust smoke
- Decreased vehicle performance
- Lower fuel economy
- Rough idling or engine stall at idle
- Engine stalling at high RPM
- Frequent overheating
- Oil patches under your vehicle
If you are having issues with your motor, call the certified technicians at The Haus to schedule an appointment for diagnostics.