Just wondering if there has been any new news on the long term driving with 17% or 19% pullies in full summer heat. Thinking of getting one for around town and freeway driving. No track.

 

I had the 19% this summer and 15% last. No noticeable difference in temps but no measurements either. But contrary to some opinions, the 19% does not reach a critical temp causing the ECU to dump fuel and lose power. In fact, my MINI with 19% seems to lose MUCH LESS power in the extreme heat than the 15% did. The 15% is very slow and sluggish on a hot, humid day - feels like stock on a cool day. The 19% is still powerful on hot, humid days. On a really hot day, the 19% feels like a 15% on a cool day. So IMO, the 19% is MUCH, MUCH better than the 15% even in hot weather. In fact, it shines when it's hot.

 

Have 19 pulley for 9 months, done a half dozen track days (4 x 15 minute sessions) & car runs great. I usually shift at 6500 on track- so far it runs great- love it- Hawaii has little summer/winter diff in temps maybe 10 degrees- but no issues with pulley in heat that i'm aware of-

However last week at startup after work- SES and DSC lights come on-(can't turn DSC light off)- car bucks, doesn't idle right and just isn't running right on light throttle regardless of RPM- full throttle seems normal - take it to dealer on Friday who finds fault P0108 "absoute pressure in intake manifold-barometric pressue- input high" Short circult to positive , fault sporadic, They visually inspect find aftermarket pulley and send email (PUMA) to MINI who says this is customer pay issue and warranty is void unless aftermarket pulley removed.
I authorize them to order at my expense part 12 14 0 872 679 Press. Sensor for $60. Will take a week or so and i'll have to pay for labor to install (anyone know where this sensor is??). They do various checks on DSC light and find fault 5E19- they say DSC fault is due to the faulty sensor. of course they won't tell me that the sensor will fix my problem.


My concern is that i'm going to have hassles with MINI and dealer everytime i need service for the next 2 1/2 yrs to get anything covered under warranty. They'll try to relate every problem to my pulley, CAI, header/exhaust. Seriously thinking of selling although i love the car.

 

How about your belts on your 19's? I've been hearing stories of premature wear. Is it easy to replace every 10-20k or is it a major deal like the initial pulley install?

 

It's actually much quicker to replace the belt (although it seems like a pain in the butt). I went about about 25k+ miles on my 19% and new belt before I decided to change it as it started get a bit shiny in spots - showing some wear. If you know what you're doing (and I don't), it's no more than a 15-20 min job.

 

Good to hear!

So lets say you keep an eye on belt wear.... anything else you need to worry about with a 17% or 19% pulley on car that won't see the track?

 

No. Nada. Nothing.

 

is there anything on minimotoringfile or this forum that describes a howto on replacing belts?

 

There was an earlier post saying that the belt was accessible from the right front wheel well if you remove the wheel and the fender liner. I have not done it yet. Does anyone know of someone who sells both the tension tool and the proper belt for the 19 percent pulley? I would prefer to just get all at one place. Is the Goodyear belt known to be better than the Gates 535?


Vince

 

So only 2 people on NAM have a 17 or 19???

 

In my area there are four MCS with 19% and about 4 with 17% pulley upgrades and all are doing quite well with no problems known on any of the belts since January of this year.
Most are used for street driving but some have done monthly autocross and SCCA lapping on the track with good results and no complaints. Our "hot" weather posed no problems whatsoever.

 

I've had my 17% pulley since July. I've done 2 track days and one open road race event (trying to average 100mph on a closed road, 56 miles). Along with putting 5500 road miles on her. So far no problems, zip, nada, nothing! I did have the 15% before that for 20,000 miles with no problems. Can you feel the difference between a 15% and 17%? Most definitely.
I would recommend this mod to all

 

I just had my Intake Manifold Pressure sensor go - BMW said it was the damaged by my intake filter oil (Alta) - does anyone know if this is possible, i know there's no MAF in the mini, so it cannot affect that part.

Thanks!

phil.