Probably only Mini fans know that under the hood of the One, Cooper and Cooper S versions of the very first generation of two-thousand years, there is a gasoline “four”, created by Americans and assembled at a plant in Brazil.
This engine was created by a joint venture called Tritec, founded in 1997 by auto giant Chrysler and lame Rover. When BMW bought out the Mini brand, they too had to support the Tritec project so that the British carmakers would not be left without engines.
The history says that this engine was developed by American engineers. In general, the engine was created for operation in South America and Europe, under Euro-3 standards. Therefore, it turned out to be so simple, even archaic, but quite reliable.
Engine 1,6 from the company Tritec Motors has an internal nickname Pentagon. It was fitted to the Mini from 2000 to 2006. There is also a 1.4-liter version and a modification with Eaton drive compressor, with which the engine produces 218 hp. Chrysler put this engine in the atmospheric version with 116 hp on PT Cruiser and Neon 2. After 2006, this engine was sold to two Chinese companies, so it can be seen under the hoods of A11/A15 and Lifan 520/620.
Mini W10B16A 1.6 motor specifications
Modification One
| Characteristics | Reference |
|---|---|
| Exact volume | 1598 cm³ |
| Power system | Distributed injection |
| Engine power | 90 hp |
| Torque | 140 Nm |
| Cylinder block | Cast-iron R4 |
| Cylinder head | Aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder diameter | 77 mm |
| Piston stroke | 85.8 mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Engine Features | SOHC |
| Hydrocompensators | Yes |
| Transmission timing | Chain |
| Fasoregulator | No |
| Turbocharger | No |
| Oil | 4.5 liters 5W-30 |
| Fuel type | AI-92 |
| Ecological class | Euro 4 |
| Example service life | 300,000 km |
Modification Cooper
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Exact volume | 1598 cm³ |
| Power system | Distributed injection |
| Engine power | 116 hp |
| Torque | 150 Nm |
| Cylinder block | Cast iron R4 |
| Cylinder head | Aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder diameter | 77 mm |
| Piston stroke | 85.8 mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Engine Features | SOHC |
| Hydrocompensators | Yes |
| Transmission timing | Chain |
| Fasor regulator | No |
| Turbocharger | No |
| Oil | 4.5 liters 5W-30 |
| Fuel type | AI-92 |
| Ecological class | Euro 4 |
| Example service life | 280,000 km |
General Information
- Weight of complete W10B16A engine: 125 kg
The Pentagon engine turns out to be quite archaic. It has a cast iron cylinder block, but the cylinder head is made of aluminum alloy. It has a single camshaft driving 16 valves. The spark plugs are controlled by simple dual modules. This engine was one of the first Chrysler units with electronic throttle.
Problems and reliability of the Mini 1.6 (W10B16A)
The Brazilian engine has no expensive problems, and all possible weak points are well known and studied. We can also mention the poor assembly of the engine in the first years of production. Both jumbled caps and jammed gaskets were noticed on this motor. These defects were either eliminated during the warranty period, or discovered when the motor was opened during overhaul.
Coolant reservoir
For example, this motor got an extremely low-quality coolant expansion tank, which leaks through a poorly welded seam. Even new original tanks start leaking again. Mini owners either change them every 1-2 years, or put a non-original aluminum tank, especially if they regularly burn off the car and want to prevent overheating of the engine.
Benzone pump
If the Mini 1.6 engine starts badly (not at the first attempt) in the morning, jerks when accelerating or does not start at all, it does not hurt to check the fuel pressure at the supply to the ramp. If the pressure is less than 3-3.5 bar (depending on the variant of the engine – atmospheric or with a compressor) it is time to change the gasoline pump. And the complete gasoline pump is very expensive, but it is easy to disassemble it and see there is a usual insert-pump from Bosch. The complete pump is also suitable for Rover 75.
Fuel pressure regulator
There is a pressure regulator on the fuel rail, which can clog and then there are problems with fuel supply. The engine may also jerk when accelerating, even stall on the move or will not start at all.
The power steering fan
Mini is equipped with an electrically driven power steering fan. The electric pump is cooled by a fan. The fan can fail due to dirt hanging in the engine compartment. Usually, the fan motor starts to run noisily and then just jams. In some cases, the fan continues to work during parking, as a result, by morning it completely discharges the battery.
And the electric pump of Mini serves about 50 000 – 60 000 km. Usually it is simply switched off on the move. In rare cases it continues to work after switching off the ignition and also drains the battery.
Throttle valve
As on other motors, the throttle linkage sometimes needs cleaning to eliminate jamming. The symptoms of sticking are that the motor “won’t go” and responds sluggishly to the gas pedal. But, in addition, the connector on the choke is often destroyed. In this case, errors light up right on the move and the car stops responding to the gas – the flap simply turns off. This malfunction may disappear when restarting the engine or reconnecting the chip to the choke. But it appears again. In most cases it is necessary to change the connector itself, and sometimes the entire damper.
Fuel injectors
The fuel injectors need cleaning, although the symptoms of poor atomization – poorer gas pedal response and increased fuel consumption – are usually hardly noticeable. The rubber sealing rings under the injectors often leak fuel directly into the intake manifold.
GBZ
There are known cases of destruction of rollers on one or two rocker arms. As a result, the rocker grinds the camshaft cam and the valve stops opening. Usually it happens with rollers and cams of the intake valve. Then the engine gives errors on the ignition skip in the cylinder at low speeds, a little bounces at idle, but normally pulls at high speeds.
Also the cylinder head itself can give an unpleasant surprise in the form of cracks diverging from the candle channels.
The oil caps at mileage over 200 000 km get stale and begin to leak oil. Also often the Mini 1.6 (W10B16A) engine cylinder head needs revision of valve guides.
Transmission Timing Chain
The timing chain on the Mini 1.6 (W10B16A) engine is not eternal. It is stretched at a mileage of about 200 000 km. At the same time it rustles on cold or is the cause of engine errors due to “shifted” timing.
Mini 1.6 (W10B16A)
Due to its simple and uncomplicated design, this engine can be called unkillable. Certainly, it is possible to kill it too, especially at merciless annealing on charged versions of Mini. But there are usually no problems with the cylinder piston group.