Hi,

I've recently done my 25000 mile oil change. I used BMW's 5W-30. Later on, I noticed that the two actually have different part numbers. Is it the same oil or did I screw up and need to do another oil change?

Ah and Bill Jacobs MINI ripped me off on OEM filter... $25 =O It's about $12 anywhere else.

Also, I've noticed a weird sound coming from the engine. When you open the bonnet, it sounds as if something was lightly knocking. Also, I've noticed the car hesitate and drop on revs when idling. For 15 minutes, it will run nice, all warm, and then all of a sudden it will drop to 400rpm and go back up.

This is also connected with slow cranking when it's cold out. Plus, when the car is cold and I accelerate to 3k rpm, it will be bogging and feel the same way when you hit the rev limiter and the fuel supply is cut off...

 

What car do you have?

Year, total mileage mods etc?

or are we just supposed to guess?

 

My bad! 07 MCS 25k miles 6MT

 

Don't like knocking noises, does it vary with rpm's?
Also have you looked at your air filter element?
Buy your filters from Way Motor Works .

 

Lots of possibilities, the noise you're hearing could be the normal noise the direct injection makes....

It could also be because the timing chain tensioner isn't up to snuff - unless you've had it changed already.

The miss could be the high pressure fuel pump acting up.

Could be a bad coil pak or lead. Or spark plug. Or some bad gas....

Noise could also be loose bolts on the variable cam sprocket. Or a vacuum pump going out....

BTW, to answer your first question, I doubt there's any issue with the oil you used as long as it's full synthetic. If it's not, then you need to change it to synthetic. Don't understand how a dealer can get away charging 2X the price for common parts like the oil filter, maybe he thought he sold you two?

I'll have to double check, but I think my dealer charges $9 for the gen II filter. $5.50 for a quart of MINI oil.

If your car makes the knocking noise all the time, maybe you should run it by your closest MINI dealer and let them take a listen? Are you still under warranty? If so, you definitely want to get it on record.

 

Thank you guys for all the quick responses!!

Dave, I took it to the dealer, they're deaf and stupid... I have an appointment at a different place to see if they will hear it.

Maugre, knocking is best heard at idle, preferably with the front end up. Dealer said the noise is normal injector operation and the slow cranking on cold mornings is the same on similar cars he tested.

As for why the car feels like it cuts off fuel during acceleration when it's cold and why it will drop its revs so suddenly out of nowhere is still unknown.