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Mini First 1.4 N12B14A 2009 - Vanos fault, codes 287D & 2870 - Fixed #

Posted by Martin Kelly on April 28, 2017, 9:26 am

Year of Manufacture *: 2009
Engine Size and Code *: 1.4 N12B14A
( Optional ) Scanner Used: Verus

Fault codes logged

287D - Vanos Inlet actuator movement

2870 - Vanos Inlet adaption stop

Have fitted new inlet Vanos unit and solenoid valve, double checked timing.
Have swapped inlet and exhaust solenoid valves and cam sensors, no change.
At idle inlet set value is 60° but actual is 64 to 65°, at fast idle the 2 values match ok.
Exhaust values are spot on.
Drives ok for about 1/4 mile then 287D is logged and valve timing defaults to 120°, slightly more driving and 2870 is logged.

Before changing solenoid and Vanos, oil flushed, new oil and filter changed, gauzes on solenoids all clean.

Could this be a faulty Vanos unit or early sign of timing chain stretch?

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks, Martin.

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by Christopher Porter on April 29, 2017, 12:32 am, in reply to "Mini First - Vanos fault"
Christopher Porter

Have you done the engine adaptions reset with the verus?

Chris

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by Martin Kelly on April 30, 2017, 11:05 am, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"

Adaptions are not available on Verus, I was told by local Mini/BMW specialist that it is not required after replacing Vanos unit - self adapting.

Thanks, Martin.

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by Lee Mackintosh on April 30, 2017, 8:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"
Lee Mackintosh

As daft as it may sound sometimes spark plugs cause this fault. We have had it twice now. One mini and a Peugeot 207.

New plugs cured the issue.

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by Martin Kelly on May 2, 2017, 6:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"

Hi Lee, thanks for the spark plug info, they were in need of changing but unfortunately did not cure the problem.
It ran for about 30 minutes in the workshop without logging a code whereas before it could be only a few minutes or less.
On roadtest the fault occurred after about 1/2 a mile as before.

Martin.

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by Peter Mutlow on May 3, 2017, 1:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"
Peter Mutlow

Hi Martin,

Probably way off the mark....but are they NGK plugs you have fitted? I can remember in the day that NGK's can caused running problems with some vehicles.

Regards

Pete M

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by David Greenwood on May 3, 2017, 7:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"
David Greenwood

Had same thing the other day. Chain was stretched
Theres your silver bullet

Re: Mini First - Vanos fault

Posted by Martin Kelly on May 3, 2017, 8:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"

David, what mileage was that at? This one has done 30K.

I did scope the crank and cam sensors this afternoon and comparing it to Peters trace in the 'Workshop Data and Waveforms' forum the exhaust cam sensor is spot on but the inlet cam is 2 teeth (crank pulses) nearer the crank - I feel this is significant. If the chain was stretched I would expect to see it further away.

Going to take another look under the cam cover tomorrow.

Thanks, Martin.

Fixed #

Posted by Martin Kelly on May 9, 2017, 9:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Mini First - Vanos fault"
Edited by board administrator May 12, 2017, 7:34 am

Found the timing chain tensioner to be very soft, bought new one from BMW/Mini for £13!! and was much stiffer.

Fitted it, live data on the inlet had the 5° difference as before, on roadtest the 2 codes 287D and 2870 returned in under 1/2 mile as before, cleared the codes and reluctantly continued roadtest to see the 5° difference between Setpoint and Actual cam position had gone and the 2 values on live data to be within 1°. Could this be the self adaptation?

After 5 mile drive all ok.

In future, when we get inlet Vanos related faults the tensioner will be the first thing to check.

Thanks for your help, Martin.

Re: Fixed #

Posted by Tony Marco on May 15, 2017, 9:11 am, in reply to "Fixed #"

Im having the same fault codes on one of our cars, Was the timing chain tensioner difficult too replace??

Thank You

Re: Fixed #

Posted by Martin Kelly on May 25, 2017, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Fixed #"

Hi Tony, sorry for not replying sooner but only just seen your posting.
I used the cam locking tools, to check the timing in the first place.
Then remove the throttle body and then you will gain access to the tensioner.
I also found this useful info to gauge the amount of chain stretch using the BMW-Mini mechanical tensioner, if the measurement is 68mm or below then new tensioner will do it. If it's over 68mm then chain is due for replacement.
On a new chain it's around 54mm.

This website is also useful

http://www.promini.com/technical/engine/files/MINI-Cooper-R56-Engine-Rattle.php

Martin.

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