Loss of compression in cylinder 2

Jarryd F

Member
Hey guys,

So I've had my beaut of a '08 Cooper S for a month and a half, got it with 51k kms on the clock and have been waiting till month end to get the 55k service done (as I was told the motor plan was expired and wanted to keep the servicing done by a dealer). On Sunday I experienced a very noticeable shudder, along with an extreme loss of power in the lower revs. She was really struggling to pull off. All this coupled with a fuel consumption that would make a Ferrari blush. So I booked her in for a service this morning, under the assumption that it must be a faulty spark plug or something akin to that, seeing as the last service was done 2 years ago. I received a call from the dealer advising that there was absolutely no compression in cylinder 2. Has this happened to anyone else? What are the possible causes of this problem?

Thankfully I was informed that the motor plan was actually still active up until September, so I made the transfer and am going to extend it for a year, just in case anything like this happens again!

Thanks guys
 

Jarryd F

Member
Once I hear more from the dealer tomorrow I will post more information. I take good care of my engine, I follow the proper cooling down procedures so I wouldn't like to think that this is a result of negligence. Thanks for your suggestion Elmo
 

Raybimmer

New member
Last service done two years ago .....oops something wrong there , should be yearly if the kilos have not been done .
I would suspect head if no compression .
Good luck .
 

Jarryd F

Member
Ye unfortunately the previous owners had it serviced once, in 2010, as they didn't accumulate much mileage. Thanks mate!
 

Damian

New member
Howzit, Hope this helps

From what i know you should experience most, if not all of the following if Compression has dropped in 1 of you cylinders. Happened to my corsa a few years back and i suffered the following.

engine oil consumption,
loss power,
overheating
excessive fuel consumption
bad emission
smoke on exhaust
misfiring
unstable idle
noisy engine

i Think if possible get a second opinion,
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Nothing wrong with the intervals, MINI services are 2 years/30 000km whichever is first.

Get them to check the chain tensioner etc etc at the same time as you may score a new motor out the deal. :thumbs:
 

Jarryd F

Member
Ok so I was told today that the valves are moving 0.34mm and that they have sent all the particulars through to BMW, just awaiting on their final advices.

@Damian: I did experience nearly all of those symptoms, I didn't check the oil level as I drove it straight to the dealership after I felt the initial symptoms. But yes, there was an extreme loss of low range power, excessive fuel consumption and a lot of smoke in the morning when the engine was cold, along with frequent backfiring (no doubt attributed to the excess petrol lying in the exhaust).

@Mike: I did ask them to check that as on some days it did sound like I was navigating an old Massey Ferguson through the corn fields.

Thanks guys :thumbs:
 

Jarryd F

Member
Got a call yesterday from the dealership saying that my engine needs to be replaced, BMW authorised it and I should have my car on Monday afternoon :rollsmile:

With this kind of service BMW may have just gained a lifelong customer, really happy with the way things have panned out :bravo:
 

Chris1986

New member
hi guys

I had my spark plug, number 2 and my motor plan just ran out I took it to get a helicoil and the car still sounds like the spark plug is loose and bouncing around, my fuel consumption is gone really high and the car isn't running as well as it did, I have the JCW 2004 model
 

Jarryd F

Member
Hey Chris,

Not too sure how different your engine is to mine, since yours is the supercharged one, but are there any symptoms as listed above by Damian? If so then you might have the same problem, burnt exhaust valves.
 

Chris1986

New member
hi Jarryd

well the car used to misfire before the loss of power if i put the pedal down

the car still goes but it doesn't pull away the way it used to.

i have the unstable idle and noisey engine but thats about it

the car pulls like a normal Cooper s at the moment
 

Jarryd F

Member
Maybe that's just a timing problem? Your best bet would be to take it in and get a proper diagnosis.

Good luck mate!
 

mini cooper s GP

New member
cris i have the exact same problem with my 2003 mcs which has a 15% pulley. i raced my friends standard one and i lost by about 4 car lengths.

which breather pipe is it??????

i did a compression test and it was fine.

the issue of the loose spark plug i have come across in the past month on cylinder 1.

i have changed plugs and on start up it misses for about 5-10 seconds.

i wonder what could be wrong

:thumbdo:
 

hotchocolate

New member
I had the exact same symptoms about 3 weeks back with my MINI. She wouldn't go past 2500rpm without spluttering and misfiring. She would burn fuel at a ridiculous rate and back fire like a fire cracker.

Took the car to BMW and they said the engine needed to be replaced. Just didnt make sense to me and I was 2 weeks out of motorplan so the expense was just ridiculous.

I then took the car to Tune Tech and asked them to have a look at her. They called me two hours later and said I could come pick her up. I was like WTF???

It was an intermittent coil on cylinder 4 and cost me R1500.

Car has been perfect ever since. :joy:

I will say this without remorse. BMW BRUMA have useless fools as mechanics PERIOD! Its easier to replace a motor than to actually sit down and look for the problem.
 
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