DBeest Posted December 13, 2013 Report Posted December 13, 2013 DBeest spit out a spark plug on cylinder 2 and based on the look of the spark plug, may have stripped the thread on engine head. I hope it's covered under warranty. Car has 51K miles and the prior owner had them replaced at around 15K. Waiting for the towing company contracted by the extended warranty since 11am to pick it up and take it to MINI of Alexandria. I can't beleive it's been 7 hours :banghead:and he's still on his way. I should have told them I was on the side of the road instead of at work or called AAA.
Poison Ivy Posted December 14, 2013 Report Posted December 14, 2013 Do you have USAA roadside assistance? They come in an hour and they sent me a flat bed last time I called.
DBeest Posted December 14, 2013 Author Report Posted December 14, 2013 No. Figure I didn't need the USAA Roadside since I have triple A and the warranty roadside service. Next time I'll use AAA. Better service. I just dropped it off. Lesson to learn from this is check my spark plugs at least one a year.
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted December 14, 2013 Report Posted December 14, 2013 I never even think to check my spark plugs. But you and Chris have both had one pop. Tigger is an '06 like yours but hitting 92k in miles Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
DBeest Posted December 14, 2013 Author Report Posted December 14, 2013 I always thought about checking them but was too lazy to remove the inter cooler to do it.
Cambo Posted December 14, 2013 Report Posted December 14, 2013 (edited) +1 on the USAA roadside service but geesus...spark plugs popping? I didn't even know that was a thing. sorry dbeest, hope everything turns out alright. Would you mind snapping a pic of that popped spark plug for comparison purposes? Also, now that I'm paranoid...this will be useful: How to Change Spark Plugs: Edited December 14, 2013 by Cambo 2009 MCS - Passenger seat delete--Rear seat delete--Arm rest delete--Cup holder delete--Seat Belt Delete--Cup holder added back because coffee
DBeest Posted December 14, 2013 Author Report Posted December 14, 2013 Car is already in the shop. I'll ask them to keep the plug for me.
DBeest Posted December 14, 2013 Author Report Posted December 14, 2013 Much easier when there is no inter cooler in the way.
DBeest Posted December 17, 2013 Author Report Posted December 17, 2013 Attached this article on R53 Spark Plugs from this month's Modern Mini Magazine
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted December 17, 2013 Report Posted December 17, 2013 Attached this article on R53 Spark Plugs from this month's Modern Mini Magazine Thanks Al "Lack of care, spinach or knowledge" ? Is there a typo here or some new auto term relating to green leafy veggies that I should know? Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
DBeest Posted December 17, 2013 Author Report Posted December 17, 2013 Assuming Popeye owns the car and was not strong enough to tighten the spark plug adequately due to lack of spinach. It caught me off guard initially too. They are trying to be funny.
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted December 17, 2013 Report Posted December 17, 2013 Assuming Popeye owns the car and was not strong enough to tighten the spark plug adequately due to lack of spinach. It caught me off guard initially too. They are trying to be funny. Ahhhhhh geesh stupid cold has seized my brain. Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
DBeest Posted December 21, 2013 Author Report Posted December 21, 2013 Well, inspector for the extended warranty company checked out my wheels and after consulting with adjuster will not cover repair of my car. Says that spark plugs are fasteners which are not covered. Dealer argued that the threads of the cylinder head failed and threads are not replaceable so it should be covered. I will call company on Monday to argue bit don't expect to get far since I spent $1600 on warranty and I've gotten well over 3k in repairs out of it. Company's don't like to lose money. Question now is...since I have to fork up $$ for new head, should I get a performance/ ported one? Maybe a JCW or something fancier?
DBeest Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Posted January 23, 2014 Got DBeest back today...Happy, Happy...Joy, Joy!!
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted January 23, 2014 Report Posted January 23, 2014 :top: :rock: Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
DBeest Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Posted January 24, 2014 Where on the DCMM website do I renew my membership.
NYRican MC40 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Posted January 24, 2014 Got DBeest back today...Happy, Happy...Joy, Joy!! Ren and stimpy:rock:
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted January 24, 2014 Report Posted January 24, 2014 DBeest said: Where on the DCMM website do I renew my membership. http://dcmetrominis.org/forum/store/category/1-memberships/ Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted January 24, 2014 Report Posted January 24, 2014 Thanks! Well of course, we want to keep you Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
DBeest Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Posted January 24, 2014 Ren and stimpy:rock: Yes they do! Car back today with new JCW head, :motor:membership renewed...I'm a happy man!
Drillslinger Posted February 1, 2014 Report Posted February 1, 2014 This happened to me Thursday morning :-( I know it wasn't lack of spinach as I torque mine to 20-22 ft lbs (I blame the cold winter (cold/heat cycles)). Taking her in to PTuning next week so they can send it out to a machine shop for a look/quote. Anyone have experience with repair vs replace? Chad's got me covered if I have to replace the head but... yikes!
DBeest Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Posted February 3, 2014 Sorry to hear. Let me know how you make out for repair. I was told that time sett rethreading is the way to go. Let me know how you make out. I have the old head that I would like to get repaired for selling or my daughters R50 that now has 150k miles. Do you have a R53? What plugs did you have?
Drillslinger Posted February 3, 2014 Report Posted February 3, 2014 Had the Brisk plugs in. She's an R53 with 80k miles. Hoping that the repair will take better by having machine shop do it with head off. Will try to get it ported/polished at same time.
DBeest Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Posted February 3, 2014 Thumper seems to be the experienced man to see if you want it ported and polished. Almost went with him but my car still has extended warranty. He offered to do the time cert for free if I paid for the port and polish. Return shipping is free.
