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1st GearNew members: make an initial post and introduce yourself as you shift from Neutral to First Gear. Current members: meet some of the new members.
Joined this forum today, 7/2/18. I recently purchased a 2004 Mini Cooper S MC40 as a project build. Even though it's running fine at the moment, it does have a few warts mainly because it's almost 15 years old. I've replaced the front bearings/hubs, fuel filter, wiper blades, wheel center caps and spent approx. 12 hours cleaning inside, outside and under the hood. I've also removed the very faded MC40 decals and as soon as I polish the paint I'll be replacing those. Overall, it's in pretty good shape for a car with 125,000 miles on it. As soon as it cools off a bit down here in TX, I'll tackle the 100k service (especially the supercharger) that has never been done. Really fun, and surprisingly quick, little sports car and I hope to be able to post questions and receive answers in my quest to bring it back to life.
Some other stuff to think about if you are not sure they are already replaced are the crank sensor o-ring, the water pump, t-stat, all the fluids, belt tensioner and possibly the crank pulley/harmonic damper.
No pics to post yet but I will in the near future. Just finished polishing out the scuff marks left by the pinstripe removal wheel used to take off the decals -- came up pretty nice for a 15-yr. old car!
Water pump is definitely on the list for when I service the supercharger. Fluids are done. Next on the list are rear shocks as I'm getting some "clunky" sounds from back there and they are both leaking.
One problem I'm experiencing is when taking off after just starting up the car bogs down in first/second gear (accelerator all the way to the floor and nothing). As soon as it warms up, within a few seconds, it goes away and the car runs fine from that point forward. Anyone have a brilliant deduction on why that might be happening?
You're not kidding. Texas is BIG, but, man, what a beautiful bunch of places to visit. Hope you've made it to the Hill Country around Austin. Very cool place, especially 6th Street in Austin on a weekend night! Great live music venues and extra cold beer!
I replaced the fuel filter on my 2004 MC40 today and now cannot start the car. In addition to the filter, I replaced all the appropriate o-rings and seals. It turns over just fine but was emitting "clicking" noises from the fuel filter area when reassembled. Thinking that the battery may have lost power (recharged from 12.3v to 12.8v after one hour), I charged the battery since I had the doors open when working. Nada.
I've removed the fuel filter twice to examine it. Found nothing wrong (again). Now when priming the pump in ignition position 2, I'm no longer getting the clicking sounds heard earlier (immediately after the initial installation), yet it still won't start. I removed the fuel line to the filter and there is no fuel leaking from the hose when removed, i.e., doesn't seem to have line pressure?
The car is throwing NO codes. I've seen some threads with the same starting issue after filter replacement. Next step would be to remove the inspection plate over the fuel pump and check for pressure there but I would like to avoid that if possible. I didn't disconnect the neg terminal on the battery when replacing the filter. Could that have compromised the actual fuel pump in some way?
How about the fuel rail? Do I need to remove the intercooler to access it (I'm a Mini newbie)?
Anyone have a solution? I'm a competent mechanic but this is extremely frustrating (maybe it's a Mini thing)!!!
It may be you will need to bleed the fuel rail at the injectors, as it may be filled with air. It will not start until you purge it. There is a little air valve like a tire valve.
Welcome to the forum. MINI ownership can be life changing. Make sure you check out the recent Wheeler Dealer where they did a MC40 and all the posts on this forum about it.
