Oil Consumption issues on R56

My MINI has always used oil. In the last year I had it checked out by the dealer. They told me where some leaks were. They changed the front crankshaft seal. I changed the oil pan gasket, VANOS solenoid and gasket, the valve cover and it is using a quart at about 500 miles. I hear there is a class action suit about this. However, I've read on the British forum that Peugeot, who's gem the s engine is, has a kit that replaces the hose on the passenger side of the valve cover with a plug there and one to the intake manifold where the other end of the hose attaches with positive results. Do you guys know any thing about this?

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Casey at Pelican Parts]

I don't think that would be legal for USA EPA emissions. We are not supposed to alter any emissions control system. I would recommend changing to Driven DT40 engine oil. I have seen the oil consumption greatly reduced just from switching oils.

- Casey

Didn't MINI change the emission controls to eliminate that hose on the passenger side of the engine? All it was doing was sucking the oil into the intake manifold and coking the valves.



__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Casey at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Brian (guest)

Didn't MINI change the emission controls to eliminate that hose on the passenger side of the engine? All it was doing was sucking the oil into the intake manifold and coking the valves.



__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Whoa AWESOME Jetta Coupe back there!!!

I have the latest version of the valve cover installed already.

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

That connection was not eliminated, they will not alter an emission component that way. Some European nations don;t require it, you may have seen photos from that.

- Nick

I'm using Castro's EDGE, 5w40 since the last oil change. Like AJK same thing, soot on the tailpipes but not black smoke that I've noticed..

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Soot may be normal. Is there smoke and what color and when / how long does it smoke?

- Nick

Do you think that putting a better oil will get it back to using a quart at 1000 miles?
That Driven oil is pretty expensive. I'm willing to try it rather than spend a bigger fortune at the dealer.

My 85 Jetta Coupe has been on Mobil 1 5w50 since 1987.
Once I tried 5w50 Syntec and it used some oil. Otherwise never unless there was a leak.

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

use the recommended oil from MINI. If there is an oil use issue, it may be a worn engine.

- Nick

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Soot on the tailpipes is a "normal" and common report from MINI owners. This will not say anything about issues with your MINI. You could look into different oil to see if it might help with consumption, but as Nick pointed out the damage may already be done. Look into Schaeffer's Oil. You can call them for a recommendation of what oil to run in your MINI.

I was using Castrol 5w30 but since the usage increased I've been using 5w40. The owners manual gives that weight as an alternative. I just took delivery of enough Driven DT40 to try that. To see if there is any improvement by using a higher quality lubricant as suggested by a staff person there at Pelican. We'll see what happens or doesn't.

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

I don't think the higher weight will help use issues. usually doesn't.

- Nick

A worn engine? What kind of piece of crap am I running? I've heard that Peugeot's with this engine are having the same problems with it. It's most likely a design flaw that neither company will admit to. The newer MINIs that still use that engine in later model years don't have this problem. Why has BMW not issued a recall to correct the situation for those of us stuck with these 2cycle wonders?

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

The engines do not hold a lot of oil to begin with. Add that to the long oil change interval and you end up with oil being used or engine wear from low oil levels. If you increase you oil change interval, you can prevent oil use and wear.

I don't know where BMW or MINI stands on the subject.

- Nick

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

MINI owners recommend an oil change interval of no longer than 5,000 miles. The older they get, it's not a bad idea to change it every 3,000 miles.

I think I may have found a cause for the oil usage. The turbocharger looks like it is leaking. The only wet spot I saw under the car.
What do you think?



__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: MINI Cooper R56 Oil Consumption Diagnosis (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Good catch! I would clean the area, then look for light colored clean oil leaking. Also, remove the charge air duct and confirm the oil is not coming from inside the turocharger.

it is common for the oil return(at bottom) line to leak.

- Nick