Hi everyone!

I can use some insight!

I have a 2010 mini cooper non turbo model.
4 cyl.

Last year a code popped up P0012 and try to replace the vanos solenoid sensor but the light didn't go away. I cleaned the crank sensor on top of the engine and somehow the code went away when I did that.


Now, forward a year late the same CEL Code came back.
I took all the vanos solenoid out cleaned them all. I cleaned the non-return check valve and cleaned both the crank sensor on top of the engine. I took off the valve cover and inspected the timing chain and it looked fine and snug. I didn't have the tools to check if timing was right but the chain felt snugged when I checked. So I am ruling out that is a timing chain issue. I started the car up and let it idle for about 15 min. Turn it off and turn it back on and the CEL went away.


Now, I am not sure which part was causing the issue.
My question is there a way to test vanos solenoid?

Thank you in an advance!

 

The dot on the dipstick doesn’t mean full. It’s the shallow valley between the two ends of the cones, yup your oil needs to be within this area. Finally my check engine light code p0012 went off.

 

Thank You,
I am aware about the oil dip stick level. The oil levels are full and oils are fresh as well at the time of the post. What I am doing is pushing the car hard doing the Italian tune up and the P0012 went away. As I learned the mini is a DIT engine so it is probably have clog intakes of carbon deposits.