Stock block w/ RMW 'Jesus' head, I believe.

 

For now, take the tune out of the equation. It may be the cause of the low idle..... or not. From what you say the tune is good. Driveability when warm is not an issue.
Last question, was the tune done on a dyno?

 

You should contact Helix, as I said. Also may want to contact a member here, PGT. I believe his car was done about the same as yours at the same time and same place, ...I think. He no longer has the car as it never ran right since. As I remember, these last Helix tunes were done in sub freezing ambient temps.
Also note in the classifieds here, https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/marketplace/showproduct.php/product/8147 that it seems this guy is in the same boat maybe? If I'm reading it right he is saying the car still needs a tune to get up to "promised" HP numbers.

Don't mean to come off negative about your new car. You just need to get the facts squared away before you try and fix what may not be broken. In your last post you even seem a bit unsure that you have the RMW head.

 

Well I have the receipt from Helix, I don't know whether I could prove it otherwise. I don't question it myself; I used "I believe" conversationally, besides that I don't KNOW whether anything was done to block, but I doubt it severely. Seems to go pretty good when the planets are properly aligned.
A former housemate always explained relationship problems with "Well, Mercury is in retrograde.' But before anyone else points it out I am still loyal enough to snarl, This ain't no stinkin' Mercury.
There may be a hint of retrograde, though.
Car was dyno'ed at a session Jan ran June 10 in Carlisle PA, according to the dyno sheet.

 

PM and email to you meacoopa.

 

I have a running post on the starting issue sticky. I had a RMW tune at the same time in Carlisle.

Short version of my problem. Bought the car at Bobby Rahal Honda and have an extended warranty there.

Car was sitting in garage for a few weeks when I tried to start it idles rough, when accell was depressed it would give a stall and hesitation. in 2-3 minutes it was fine and ran like a champ.

Overnite, same thing and over the next few weeks it got worse. Ran it to use gas, refilled tank, added Textron. I changed PCV valve, dielectric grease on the coil end of the wires, put in NGK plugs one step colder, little change. The BRISK 12S plugs were sooty and black but otherwise fine ( I removed them after trying to get it started and it would not catch.)

Codes are misfire of 1 & 3 cleared them and a week later they came back misfire 1 & 2.

I took it to Baobby Rahal, where it is now. They " checked the fuel line" (no pressure test because the fitting is in a place their test equipment will not reach, according to them.

They say they don't know where to go because the tune may be interfering according to them.

ideas?

 

Well it interests me to hear of a similar issue, but as the one seeking help I'm not the best to offer advice. A vague suspicion is hovering that there is an incipient or common cold start issue which may then be exacerbated by the tune? But I'm totally talking through my hat. I'm going to check out your sticky, though.

 

I just talked to the Honda dealer and it looks like they are going to take it to Towson MINI...

 

Cigarman, did you by any chance attempt to discuss this with Jan when a problem arose?

 

No I didn't.

I just got call from John at Greasy'e Garage in Providence. I got the referral from grey ravin earlier and they were extremely helpful and the tech at the Honda dealer even talked with him
Anyhow he told me he has been calling around to other techs to see what they thought and one of them told him they had an identical situation with cold start problem, rough idle and misses. It was s compression problem.

John told me to have them check compression and look for a burned valve or similar problem.

My car is on it's way to the MINI dealer in Towson, so they will check it.

 

A burnt valve could cause these symptoms. But... in both cases, meacoopa & thecigarman, after warm up the engines run fine, yes? A burnt valve, broken valve spring or a head gasket don't get better when the engine warms up.

 

If you have the RMW head.....talk to WayMotorWorks......he has some info on the heads he has worked on from RMW. Might help. Might tell you where you want to look.
He no longer carries them.....had lots of cracks and other failures. Maybe just bad luck, who knows. The RMW head Sounds like it is built well......but I have heard people say it not reliable enough for a daily driver.....

Sorry to hear all is not well yet.....

 

 

(sorry for the mutiple posting in another thread)

I can't help you because MINI of Towson found nothing wrong; compression is good, fuel pressure is good, no stalling when they tested, no additional codes. After diagnostics and checks the car started fine according to them.

I'll get it back Monday and we will see...

 

I'm not trying to start a what product is better flame war or anything....just tring to help a fellow MINI owner track down an unknown, perplexing problem. I just remember hearing a story or two that might shed light on these guys problems....and I would never want anbody to infer that I am Anti RMW, or anything to that effect. RMW has done much to get great performance from our cars, and has some nice products, but all products are the result of cost/performance compermises....and somtimes people talk all hype, but forget to discuss the drawbacks on what can go wrong in building an monter of a MINI. These guys are kinda stuck with someone elses problems....and are living with the descsions that others made before they got their cars and to put it simply, I am glad I'm not in their shoes. Let's come together and see if we can figure out what is stopping these nice cars from running great!!
That is my $.02

Anybody have any ideas or suggestions? My semi local guy in Mass has tried to help...he has never made a dime of either of these cars, but was willing to spend time to help these guys out....where are the guys who made all the money on the selling of the products?? Nobody is asking for a handout, but it would be nice if they chimed in... They are afterall vendors and sponsors. It would be nice for all of us users to know when the crap hits the fan, we can count on them to at least offer advise and help in the after the sale phase.....that is why we pay more from some of our vendors than the big box stores.
Maybe we should forget politics and be NAM at it's finest!!

 

ditto that...

 

I gather Jan has gotten to you by now and you have a fix going on. ?

 

Call Jan, he is much more helpful on the phone then through sending messages back and forth. If you call him, he commits his time to answering your question and then you can work out a way to resolve your problem. Calling will do wonders; I only speak out of experience.

 

What problems were you having when you called him?

 

Who cares.....?

 

I would imagine potential customers care

 

Then start a different thread.

I don't think we need to start an RMW bashing thread. Let's keep on topic.

 

why start a different thread. This is all on topic, no?

 

I care. Others care. Point is that some get help and some don't, depending on hard the "fix" is.

 

Clutch.