Ok so I'm very happy to say that after months of nagging problems with my MINI, primarily P0301 Misfires, and not being able to figure out the problem--I was replacing spark plugs almost monthly to temporarily solve my issues....it seems that the simple fix was to replace both my MAP sensors.

I had them both replaced at Minicorsa today and WOW, what a difference. Danny spent a good 3 hours troubleshooting and checking my car...my boost gauge had stopped working, and that resulted in a vacuum leak, and that certainly didn't help my problems any. But even after that was plugged in, the misfires continued.

Although the problem hasn't disappeared 100%, it is so much improved that for the drive from his shop to my shop---about 40 miles--that I didn't once have the SES light go on. Hopefully over the next few days, my car will adapt to me and solve this problem for good.

But mostly I'm posting because I am soooo happy to finally experience how great the RMW header, camshaft, and JCW injectors working together feel!!

Going to have to save up money for a clutch job, then will get my MINI retuned by Jan, hopefully by early next year, lol.


Richard

 

wish i had the money for the head! or the cam for that matter or the injectors for that matter

hope your problems get sorted out soon!

T -36 Hours 'til my Jan tune...

 

Glad you car is healthier

Yeah, got my header on Tuesday... the header + cam combo is pretty awesome... gobs more torque all up and down the range... and sounds awesome too.... I'm loving it, too.

 

Glad that worked out for you Richard. Now you will need to get it re-tuned because it is now getting different info for the MAP that you have. Call Jan about it, you are local.

 

Darned you... tempting me to void the warranty on our Mini before she even has 3k miles on her!!!

You'd better keep your Mini quiet, and turned off on Saturday... else I'll toss all caution to the wind and start upgrading without delay.





(Who am I kidding... I'll be the one begging for a ride around the block!)

 

Warranties are for wussies.



When I picked up my car, I told the MA - truthfully - that I only planned on doing a few little cosmetic mods, but nothing else.

That resolve only lasted about a week.... and was MANY thousand dollars ago...

 

Hey come on now, I did one ball her with like 600 miles on her....

That's got to count for something, right?

PS. Great blog... I see we have similar Minis... well, at least when yours was stock!

At least Jan will be out of town for a while... so I can build up some courage to say "screw you" to the dealer with mods...

 

Glad you got things straightened out!! Enjoy that experience.

 

true dat

 

Haha if you like "mean and aggressive" sounds---you'll love it. We can definitely go for a ride. There's a place nearby away from people and traffic where we can get a feel for the power. It'll be fun!!


Oh yeah, a re tune has been slated for awhile since a lot of mods were done since the last tune. I went from a 16% to a 17% pulley, added the RMW header and cam, and JCW 380cc injectors..but alas, the re tune won't happen not even after the new MAP sensors cause I need to do a clutch job first!! And that I cannot afford right now. Thanks for the tip though! Jan had suggested them a few weeks ago too, but your experience is what made me act on it and get my car in ASAP.

 

"it seems that the simple fix was to replace both my MAP sensors"

2?

 

Yep we got 2 of them. We replaced the front one which is the easiest to access and that fixed like 75% of the problem, so the rear one was replaced as well.

 

Was this a matter of defective parts or damage from some outside factor?

 

MAP sensors crap out over time. My map sensors and bypass valve crapped out on me this week.

 

Yep considering I've got about 95,000 miles on my '05--sensors go bad. There really is nothing that can "damage" it so to speak due to their locations. The sensors are not expensive--you can buy both of them and have them installed for less than $200 or just do it yourself.

 

I agree I have 60,150 miles on my '06 and my sensors kicked the bucket tuesday. I have new sensors and a bpv on their way to me.

 

I actually think my sensors died a long time ago as well, I just didn't know they did and no one ever thought to suggest it to me. I think Danny of Minicorsa replaces his yearly, lol.

 

I know there is one map sensor up front near the intercooler but where is the other one?

 

I believe it's in the back of the engine bay near the firewall. I didn't watch Danny replace the second one, but I thought that's where it was. The Bentley manual will show you.

 

Richard - are you still awestruck every time you drive your car now? I am.... just motored across town today to run some errands... between it being about 20 degrees cooler today than it was earlier in the week, and maybe my ECU starting to "learn" how to best use it's newfound ability to breathe.... my car is a MONSTER.... it's like somebody put a different engine in.... never would I have thought that the OEM header would be limiting performance to the extent that it obviously was.... I can only imagine what it would be like with the head on in addition to the other mods...

 

Absolutely. The camshaft, header, and injectors were not inexpensive mods--and for me..the header happened by accident---I wanted it, but wasn't thrilled about spending so much $$ at the moment--and there was a confusion in ordering parts with Danny---when I arrived he was all ready to install the header and cam---so my bill that day went from $400 + install to nearly $2000...lol. But I bit the bullet, and like when I did the Cross coilovers--a big ouch while considering the bill but pure bliss while experiencing it--and the pain quickly subsides.

I hear ya on the mods. The next big expense and power increase will be the RMW head, and then after that the 2.0 stroker, lol.

The header sounds amazing-- I never knew that a header could change the sound qualities so much of my exhaust. I always thought the exhaust was what affected the sound so much. Plus the extra power has increased the drivability so much. I would absolutely and definitely recommend the RMW header and cam for anyone seeking noticeable power gains. Sadly, it's about time for new tires, and a clutch job, lol..

Richard

 

The other one is on the drivers' side of the cylinder head near the thermostat.

 

Octane guy did you car tick over badly when sat stationary?

 

Partsman is spot on with the locations. One measures pressure/vacuum in the intake manifold, and the one near the cylinder head is the reference unit.

 

The two sensors are easy to find and change. They are held on by two screws each. We changed our two sensors and picked up 30whp:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...70#post2456870