Abu Dhabi Off-Road Club Forums

Dear All

My friend has a 2008 Mini Cooper S with just over 100,000km on the clock. At a recent service, she was advised that there was "sludge" in the engine, and that she needed a new engine at a cost of 20,000AED.

She is based in Dubai and would really like to get a second opinion before she forks out this kind of cash.

Any suggestions of garages she could go to? Also thoughts on the "sludge"??

Thanks.

100,000km is not that much to change an engine

however , depending on the engine status (compression, bearings, piston rings,oil pump , water pump,ect....)it may need an overhaule only but not a complete new engine.

you may try BMW musaffah for a second openion & regarding the sludge ...... there is a service called Blisteen i think which is available in many dealer and other workshops you may try it.

good luck

This sludge or mud is usualy an indication that water from the cooling circuit somehow reached the oil circuit. this can happen at the block or at the head. Most of the time it happen due to an bad kasket and can be repplaced. if it is an crack, the part (block or head) must be replaced. if it is ths block, it makes no sence to replace it. To much work and the replacement engine is cheaper.

I would not change the engine by such an simple information like you wroth...sludge or mud in the oil.... she need to know why the mud is in the oil!!! Can just be an crack or kasket.

You can test ist with an PH indication strip in the coolent water. If it is to sour it is an indication that CO2 from the combustion chamber reaches the water ciricuit. Then you can make an pressure test for each cyinder to find out where is the leakage and the check the head gasket. Only with an crack in the block she would be better go for an new engine. the rest can be repaired....also she can upgrade the pistion to JCW forged pistion etc.

But to be honest.... the 1.6 turbocharged mini S engine is not the best they ever made.... an posibility thet the block is gone is possible!

WildFire wrote:100,000km is not that much to change an engine

however , depending on the engine status (compression, bearings, piston rings,oil pump , water pump,ect....)it may need an overhaule only but not a complete new engine.

you may try BMW musaffah for a second openion & regarding the sludge ...... there is a service called Blisteen i think which is available in many dealer and other workshops you may try it.

good luck

You are absollutelly correct and further more sludge will most accumulate in the oil sump / oil filters.
She need to be certain of the problem before spending that kind of money.

Thanks guys.

Hi all, I'm Sam's friend with the Cooper S problem. Thank you all so much for your advice. I'll check to see if there is a crack (on the block or head) or a bad gasket. I might come back here once I know more.

Thanks again. I really appreciate it. Especially since you're all off roaders and Mini's are probably not your thing

Cash wrote:Hi all, I'm Sam's friend with the Cooper S problem. Thank you all so much for your advice. I'll check to see if there is a crack (on the block or head) or a bad gasket. I might come back here once I know more.

Thanks again. I really appreciate it. Especially since you're all off roaders and Mini's are probably not your thing

Please post your findings again here. We are still Interested