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After getting the timing chain tensioner replaced, I purchased a DDM cold air intake system. The day before I was going to put it on, I fired thr MINI up in the morning and got a check engine light. Classic reported 1 misfire of cylinder 4, reset the light and told me to keep an eye on it. They gave me the standard statement about using bad gas - yeah right. Three days went by and no light. SO I installed the DDM system and was very impressed with the added perfomance and how much it truly smoothed out the engine on acceleration. Well as fate would have it, Monday mornings initial start up popped another check engine light. I figured it was a misfire. I made my appointment and removed the new air intake system putting everything back to stock (yes I could have gotten away with leaving it but was taking no chances with Classic at this point). This time I had multiple misfires recorded on all cylinders from what Classic said due to a bad fuel pump. Picking it back up tonight.
This car is starting to remind me of my old MG midgets. Always needing something. So, this promted me to buy a Bavarian Technic Enthusiast kit for diagnosing fault codes. We have the 2000 Z3 which is out of warranty. As of last weekend, we now own a 2006 325 xi with 20K miles on it. All of which will work with the Technic diag kit I bought. So I figured money well spent on this tool.
Now if I could just get Bentley Publishing to produce the service manual for the 09 MINI, I will be in good shape. Even thoogh this car has had it's share of maintenance issues, I still love it and always will .
Last edited by Timmer2009; 08-06-2009 at 08:47 AM.
Picked it up and it runs a bit smoother. I think there may have been a issue from the start.
Unfortunately I am smelling a hint raw gas when I stop. I figured it may be left over from the repair which should have evaporated by now. It appears to have a small leak somewhere. The strongest smell is coming from where the high pressure pump that was installed. Back to Classic again
Last edited by Timmer2009; 08-06-2009 at 06:40 AM.
Don't take a chance with a fuel leak. Being direct injection it has a hellofa high fuel pressure. If it ignites it will be a large hot fire. Personally I would not drive it with a fuel leak, I'd have it towed back to Classic.
Your MINI is worlds better than your MG. Bet you carried tools & spare parts in the MG & did roadside tech sessions. I know I did when I had mine. MINI's occasionally have an issue or two, but they are good cars & oh so fun!
I've heard Bentley is working on the manual, but is hung up on the French to German to English translation.
I had to have the fuel pump replaced one more time due to a fuel leak. I also noticed the CCM software has been updated. The CCM is still registering misfires in the morning. The error code has changed and the CEL light does not come on. My theory is that there is now a higher threshold for misfires before it triggers and EXXXX code and the CEL light. But that is a theory. I have had only one CEL light come on for morning misfires since the repair. I cleared it myself and all is well.
Keep in mind that I an not losing an entire cylinder here. You can simply hear misc. misfires in the first 60 seconds of start up. There have been reports that this can happen due to the DDM intake system being installed. But this has not been verified. Hard to say.
I have been running Sunoco 93 octane since. I also put in can of BG 44K fuel treatment. After a half a tank of gas, I truly felt a change. There must have been some carbon build up and or water in the tank. She has been running great ever since. I have learned to feather the throttle a little on a cold start up like I used to do with my old MG's and my past race cars. This has helped allot. I have heard these engines run real rich. By feathering the throttle, it clears the engines throat so to speak. Anyhow, it works for me.
With the DDM intake, I am getting better gas mileage too. The engine compartment is staying much cooler also especially after a long highway run.
From what I've been reading here & on other forums the R56 can be somewhat problematic. That fact has kept me from buying one. I hope they iron the bugs out soon.
One of the reasons I waited until 06 to buy my MINI was the fact that most of the bugs had been removed. Now at 62K my MINI is still doing well, although I know that Kimster's 04 has been a solid car & is over 100K & still motoring strong.
After replacing my worn out run flats, I was going down the highway and my "run flat" light came on. I pulled over and checked all the tire pressures. All was OK thank GOD. The only other thing I noticed is that my sequencial shifting (pulling the shifter to the left from the "drive position" and manually shifting) was no longer working. I got home and took the time to check things out. Well, I found the fuse to the TPMS system was blown. I also noticed the gear position inidicator was no longer working. I replaced the fuse and everything lit up normally. I go to start the car and the fuse blew again.
Classic called me this morning to report the "shifter was defective" causing the fuse to blow. All is good again in MINI land
Personally I would not drive it with a fuel leak, I'd have it towed back to Classic.
