Just put mine in the shop this weekend for the same dreaded Engine Malfunction (again) and this morning's call from the SA revealed that the High Pressure Fuel Pump had failed (again). So they're replacing it (again).

Mechanically speaking, as far as this thread is concerned, the ailments of my Countryman have added up to two HPFPs and three Ignition Coils, one of each under factory warranty and the remainder under Extended Service.

I can't imagine that I'd put up with any kind of regularity to this problem if I had to pay for it all out of pocket. :/

 

I had the same issue the other night on my 2013 JCW Countryman with 64,500 miles. Sputtering and rough idling with significant Power loss, maxing out at 32 hp (according to MINI Connected app).

Since I'm out of warranty I hooked up a code scanner and came up with a misfire on cylinder 2 "permanent".
Started with switching the spark plug hoping i would get lucky, but no luck. So I switched coil packs from cylinder 1 and 2, and the misfire came up on cylinder 1. I replaced the coil pack and things seem to be back to normal.

 

If this comes back up for you with a misfire, consider testing your fuel pressure at the front. When the HPFP starts going out the reduced fuel pressure will throw misfire codes for any cylinder ( usually multiple) and "random misfire" code. My issues with the misfire codes were solved by replacing the pump. I hope you have solved your problem for good though!

 

On another note, I am still randomly getting the "reduced engine power" warning. The code is "P1339 bad camshaft position sensor". Does anyone know if this is related to our caused by the bad HPFP issue? As I stated, I have replaced the pump before getting this error so I'm curious if this might be a side effect of that issue. I have read on here that for some people simply replacing the (2) sensors did not solve the problem. Any further input would be appreciated

 

Cam position errors can be anything from a faulty sensor to incorrect engine timing or VANOS solenoid issues. If for whatever reason somebody took the Valvetronic motor out of the head while doing a HPFP and didn't relearn the stop points that could cause cam position errors as well.

 

I did the swap on the HPFP myself. I followed the detailed instruction in these forums and just removed the airbox, intake, and fuel lines. Didn't have a need to remove anything else, so I don't think I set it off. I read somewhere that the minis have a tendency to jump time? Could this cause the p1338 code? Would carbon buildup from the misfiring due to the bad HPFP cause any additional errors with the sensor?

 

Carbon buildup isn't a side effect of a failing HPFP. The N18 engines were more refined with the carbon build up problem.

The timing can jump, I've only seen one or two cars that it has jumped on though, if everything is assembled properly the chances of timing jumping are lessened but the fact that none of the chain gears are keyed to any hubs is a problem. The only thing keeping the timing where it should be is torque, no keyways, no press fit, nothing.

You would have more issues than just a cam sensor error if timing was off enough to put the car into limp mode. It doesn't take much of a deviance in timing for you to have exhaust valve contact with the pistons.

 

Well that's a releif on one hand - on the other hand, really? Torque is the only thing keeping that in place?? Wow.
Glad to know carbon isn't such a big issue as it used to be. As far as I know, the engine has never been taken apart so I don't think anyone has done anything to disrupt the factory assemblies. I think I will gamble on replacing the sensors - they are pretty inexpensive. Am I correct in assuming this would resolve a laugh aceleration and intermittent rough idle as well as poor fuel economy? Is started with an average 27mpg and during that HPFP issue I was down to 22MPGs. Now it is hovering between 23/24MPGs. Maybe replacing the sensors will correct this as well? Any thoughts?

 

You need to have a professional level scan tool put on the car to see what is really going on, I don't recommend throwing parts at it, many of which will require you to reset the CEL light and some of which admire an adaptation reset after repairs.

 

My wife bought her 2013 Mini Countryman S ALL4 (auto) brand new. It's had a few issues here and there, enough to make you weary. It now has 63k on the odometer and recently threw the half engine light, and began running rough (engine note noticeably different - rattle). Took it into the third party shop, where we've had all of the maintenance done post warranty, and they ran a diagnostics and explained that they found metal shavings in the oil and that the engine is running very poorly and said the it would need a new engine. They felt so terrible that they didn't charge us for the extensive diagnostics, and would not move forward until we spoke with Mini. They explained that we need to contact Mini corporate and explain the situation, because there is no reason that a car this young should require an engine replacement. I called Mini Corporate and explained the situation and was instructed to have a diagnostics ran by the dealership (of course) before they could give any advice. Although after explaining the problem the customer service representative, he made it clear that we are in a good position to have the problem taken care of (whatever that means). The car is currently at the dealership for the second day in a row having a diagnostic check performed. Of course they didn't have a loaner available when we dropped it off, after we received a verbal confirmation that there would be one the day before dropping it off. The car was dropped off at 7:30am, and we didn't receive a call back that day for an update. I called today and they couldn't provide any updates; and still no loaners available.

My goal with this post is to gain some insights on what the problem with the engine may be. What Mini will do to make it right. What others have done to get a similar issue handled. And mostly to vent about the poor customer service we always seem to experience at the Mini dealership.

Thanks

 

No doubt finding metal shavings in a engine at this mileage is very rare. How confident are you that the shop where you have been having it serviced has been using the correct motor oil?

I'm generally not a fan of car dealers, but perhaps you are expecting a bit too much? The car is now out of warranty, and you have not even been using them for service, and they obviously know that. You are not going to be the top priority for them. Did you have a service appointment with them or did they agree to try to squeeze you in given the gravity of the problem? No doubt they are probably working with BMW trying to figure out what caused this, and deciding if they will assist you financially with the repair. In any event it's not a repair that's going to be done in several hours. If they see indications that the engine was not properly serviced you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. At least they are willing to look, versus just telling you that since the car is out of warranty the repair is on your dime.

 

The shop that have gone to for maintenance post warranty is a reputable family owned foreign service shop with over 30 years of quality business on their resume. They are well versed in Mini vehicles and provided more information than the dealership ever did.

As for our vehicle, yes it is out of warranty but what premium brand would stand behind a product that fails after 2 years of ownership? I sure wouldn't be a customer (again) of one that would. For what it's worth the car hasn't been neglected, all maintenance was performed at the dealer while under warranty, and the majority of the miles are highway miles as my wife drives 70 miles on her daily commute. I wish I would have done more research before making this purchase, it sounds like these vehicles are very unreliable.

 

These days it's pretty rare (no matter who the vehicle manufacturer is) to have this sort of issue with an engine at 63k miles. It's typically going to be with a very high mileage engine, or if something was done incorrectly at the factory when the engine was being built, the problem will tend to show up fairly quickly after the engine enters service.

For your sake I hope they determine that there was some issue with the engine and they agree to cover it at BMW's expense. Because if they don't you will be absolutely shocked at what a new engine is going to cost.

No question Mini's are not the least troublefree brand on the road, but if you have participated in this forum for any length of time you know that it's very unusual for Mini owners to have to replace their engines at such low mileage.

Hopefully they don't see evidence that the wrong engine oil was used. Even seasoned mechanics make mistakes, and keep in mind that in most shops the mechanic on the bottom of the totem pole is the one that's often assigned to oil changes. Granted that type of mistake is rare, but you can't say it never happens.

Not suggesting you made a mistake by having someone other than a dealer change your oil (in fact I do my own oil changes), but if they see evidence that the car was not serviced correctly, i would not want to be in the middle of the inevitable finger pointing.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

Same thing. Carmax told me misfired on 2?and 4 but just replacing could?

 

catalytic converter

 

Posting because I, in a panic, googled my error message and found this thread. This is my second 2012 mini now, first was a countryman that actually held up pretty well and reached 200k miles, and this one I just got I'm rather disappointed in. It only has 60k miles on it which for a 2012 in 2023 I thought was good. I just brought it to the mini dealership last week for an oil change and a belt replacement they found was tearing. Now my bf took it 2h out of town to work and the same error message that has been posted here has popped up on it. He can drive it but it struggles. Yellow light. Everything is the same. He's taking it tomorrow back to the dealership an hour away (towing it thankfully) and am I safe to assume it's the fuel pump?? I should note too it isn't an S but this did happen when he had sport mode engaged. Really upset by this mini. Only had it a couple months now and already have dropped around 3k on it. My other mini never had these issues this quickly but reading this thread I suppose I got lucky. Hoping it doesn't take long either since it is our only car at the moment..How frustrating.