What did you do to your mini today?
Yesterday, I installed a NM Engineering Discharge Pipe and today I was going to install the NM Engineering Air Charge Pipe, but I ran into a snag. I just got back from taking Tackleberry (2009 MCS) to the MINI service dept. with a "check engine" light. This morning, I was on my way for Panera Bagels and Starbucks coffee for the wife and I, when all of a sudden, when I was taking off from a light, the car started to bog down then it let out a pop (like a hose blowing off from a lot of back pressure), then bogged down again and eventually I was able to accelerate. However, I had no response from the turbo. Yesterday, under hard acceleration, the turbo was emitting a loud whirring sound. This whirring sound has been getting more pronounced over the last few weeks. I had assumed it was normal because the engine was working just fine. I was told this morning that it could have been the bearings going out. I guess I will find out sometime this afternoon or on Monday.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 14
From: FL
Yesterday, I installed a NM Engineering Discharge Pipe and today I was going to install the NM Engineering Air Charge Pipe, but I ran into a snag. I just got back from taking Tackleberry (2009 MCS) to the MINI service dept. with a "check engine" light. This morning, I was on my way for Panera Bagels and Starbucks coffee for the wife and I, when all of a sudden, when I was taking off from a light, the car started to bog down then it let out a pop (like a hose blowing off from a lot of back pressure), then bogged down again and eventually I was able to accelerate. However, I had no response from the turbo. Yesterday, under hard acceleration, the turbo was emitting a loud whirring sound. This whirring sound has been getting more pronounced over the last few weeks. I had assumed it was normal because the engine was working just fine. I was told this morning that it could have been the bearings going out. I guess I will find out sometime this afternoon or on Monday.
Update:
Just got back from picking up Tackleberry. It turned out that the lower hose on the discharge pipe had blown loose from the intercooler. It appeared that I did not quite have the hose clamp far enough down on the hose when I tightened it. Thank goodness for smart cars. I was told that when the incident happened, a failsafe system kicks in and keeps the engine/turbo from overrevving. That is nice to know. It still cost me a $100 to learn of my mistake. I am glad that is all it was. I did find out the the whirring is normal.
Just got back from picking up Tackleberry. It turned out that the lower hose on the discharge pipe had blown loose from the intercooler. It appeared that I did not quite have the hose clamp far enough down on the hose when I tightened it. Thank goodness for smart cars. I was told that when the incident happened, a failsafe system kicks in and keeps the engine/turbo from overrevving. That is nice to know. It still cost me a $100 to learn of my mistake. I am glad that is all it was. I did find out the the whirring is normal.
Update:
Just got back from picking up Tackleberry. It turned out that the lower hose on the discharge pipe had blown loose from the intercooler. It appeared that I did not quite have the hose clamp far enough down on the hose when I tightened it. Thank goodness for smart cars. I was told that when the incident happened, a failsafe system kicks in and keeps the engine/turbo from overrevving. That is nice to know. It still cost me a $100 to learn of my mistake. I am glad that is all it was. I did find out the the whirring is normal.
Just got back from picking up Tackleberry. It turned out that the lower hose on the discharge pipe had blown loose from the intercooler. It appeared that I did not quite have the hose clamp far enough down on the hose when I tightened it. Thank goodness for smart cars. I was told that when the incident happened, a failsafe system kicks in and keeps the engine/turbo from overrevving. That is nice to know. It still cost me a $100 to learn of my mistake. I am glad that is all it was. I did find out the the whirring is normal.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Yesterday, I installed a NM Engineering Discharge Pipe and today I was going to install the NM Engineering Air Charge Pipe, but I ran into a snag. I just got back from taking Tackleberry (2009 MCS) to the MINI service dept. with a "check engine" light. This morning, I was on my way for Panera Bagels and Starbucks coffee for the wife and I, when all of a sudden, when I was taking off from a light, the car started to bog down then it let out a pop (like a hose blowing off from a lot of back pressure), then bogged down again and eventually I was able to accelerate. However, I had no response from the turbo. Yesterday, under hard acceleration, the turbo was emitting a loud whirring sound. This whirring sound has been getting more pronounced over the last few weeks. I had assumed it was normal because the engine was working just fine. I was told this morning that it could have been the bearings going out. I guess I will find out sometime this afternoon or on Monday.
So far:
- Oil Change (Mini of Monrovia was gonna charge me $130 for it...screw that. Did it by myself for $40)
- Seafoam treatment
What else to do today, in this particular order:
- Take off stock MCS bumper
- Pick up JCW front w/ Challenge Splitter (clearbra'd the front)
- Install JCW front
- Install Forge FMIC when it comes via UPS today
- Reinstall JCW side skirts (some clips were broken, ordered new set of clips)
- Wash car
- Photoshoot
- Oil Change (Mini of Monrovia was gonna charge me $130 for it...screw that. Did it by myself for $40)
- Seafoam treatment
What else to do today, in this particular order:
- Take off stock MCS bumper
- Pick up JCW front w/ Challenge Splitter (clearbra'd the front)
- Install JCW front
- Install Forge FMIC when it comes via UPS today
- Reinstall JCW side skirts (some clips were broken, ordered new set of clips)
- Wash car
- Photoshoot
After a painstaking and backwrenching hour and a half, I finally managed to install the NM Engineering Air Charge Pipe. The most difficult part was removing all of the existing hoses. I had to use a long flathead screwdriver to pry the hose ends loose. The NM Air Charge Pipe went on extremely easy. Looks great too. Now, all I need to do is get a Helix Stepped Intercooler, an turbo exhaust manifold from WMW, and a downpipe.
Last edited by MinMin2010; Jun 22, 2012 at 01:58 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
After a painstaking and backwrenching hour and a half, I finally managed to install the NM Engineering Air Charge Pipe. The most difficult part was removing all of the existing hoses. I had to use a long flathead screwdriver to pry the hose ends loose. The NM Air Charge Pipe went on extremely easy. Looks great too. Now, all I need to do is get a Helix Stepped Intercooler, an turbo exhaust manifold from WMW, and a downpipe.
And the NM and CF bits make it look really sharp.Glad your issue was a simple one. That kind of engine noise would freak me out.
Thanks Kid.
Absolutely love the rims and tire combination on your car, it looks awesome!
Today I had to come up with an idea to get rid of this STUPID condensation in my fog lamp assembly(driver side). I don't want to waste time for MINI to replace my other one but I probably will have too!
So anyways, I took a small skinny stick from a tree branch and wrapped it up in paper towel. After I made sure it was wrapped up good, I stuck it in the hole on the fog lamp and wiped it all off and it went away. BUT...not it appeared at the top of the fog light lamp where the smaller bulb is so I will AGAIN have to use that stick in order to get rid of it, wish me luck
So anyways, I took a small skinny stick from a tree branch and wrapped it up in paper towel. After I made sure it was wrapped up good, I stuck it in the hole on the fog lamp and wiped it all off and it went away. BUT...not it appeared at the top of the fog light lamp where the smaller bulb is so I will AGAIN have to use that stick in order to get rid of it, wish me luck
I'll be there tomorrow, just doing an oil change though. I hoping to do some mods in the near future. I think it will be a good learning experience. See you there!
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
How do you detail it?
I try to keep it clean on a regular basis. If there is any loose sand/dirt, I just blow it out. I wipe the painted metal down with towel and Armour All glass cleaner. The plastic parts get a little dose of Armour All Protectorant. The Tie-bar gets polished with Brasso. Upkeep is very easy since I do it often. I learned this from my car show days (1997-2005) with my Accord.
Here are some bad pics of it. I took pics of pics since I had purged all of the pics from the computer when I sold it.
These pics were taken before I replaced the wheels with new TENZOs and added a carbon fiber splitter.
Here are some bad pics of it. I took pics of pics since I had purged all of the pics from the computer when I sold it.
These pics were taken before I replaced the wheels with new TENZOs and added a carbon fiber splitter.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Wow!
Looks amazing.
Thanks for the tips.
I need to start cleaning my engine bay and then keep it up.
It's not too bad, but I need to add it to the detail routine.
I don't work on my engine and need to get over my fear of it.
Looks amazing.
Thanks for the tips.
I need to start cleaning my engine bay and then keep it up.
It's not too bad, but I need to add it to the detail routine.
I don't work on my engine and need to get over my fear of it.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 112
From: Mount Doom, Mordor
Cool....
C ya,
Dutch
Would post pics but I am still trying to figure out how