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2003 mini cooper S not starting

Old Jun 17, 2025 | 10:42 AM
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2003 mini cooper S not starting

My daughter stalled in the road the other day. I got the car home and realized the fuel filter was clogged and needed replacing. Which lead to a new fuel pump, injectors, plugs and air filter.

after changing everything, I tried to start it and nada. It will run for a short time with some starter fluid, but it’s not getting fuel to the engine. I checked the voltage at the pump, it’s fine. I checked fuses and relays, all good. The pump is engaging when the key is turned and I’m getting fuel to come out of the top of the filter housing. I blew air from the filter end of the line to the engine, and it is clear. For whatever reason, fuel will not get to the engine.

im stumped at this point. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2025 | 10:08 AM
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When I changed my fuel filter I had the same issue. Turns out the thin o-ring that I replaced had rolled itself back off the canister because it got twisted when I rolled it on. I put it back careful not to twist it and the car fired right up.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 08:16 AM
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+1

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er-change.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hange-mcs.html
 
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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 09:23 AM
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If the fuel filter canister top is not COMPLETELY seated your car will not start. It took me three tries after replacing the filter before the top was installed properly. Once that happened, it started instantly.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2025 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Ministrater
When I changed my fuel filter I had the same issue. Turns out the thin o-ring that I replaced had rolled itself back off the canister because it got twisted when I rolled it on. I put it back careful not to twist it and the car fired right up.
I checked that. No dice. Thanks for the idea.

I had the car towed to a mechanic. After three hours of snooping and $500, they told me I had a fuel delivery issue. (Which I already told them about) They wanted three grand to replace the fuel pump (which I already had… twice) and said the fuel smelled funny. Which I had just replaced after I drained the tank to replace the pump and filter. I just got it towed back to my place. So now I’m out five hundo and back where I was. Won’t start and I can’t get past the rail.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2025 | 02:05 PM
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Update

After getting it back from the mechanic, I read these posts and decided to check on the filter. Upon removing the filter, one of the o-rings on the top was broken and mangled. This tells me one of two things. I either broke it when I installed it and the mechanic completely missed this, or the mechanic broke it when they checked it out. Either way, I ordered a whole new filter and set of o-rings and will reinstall it super carefully as suggested. I’ll update after I do this.

thank you everyone who took time out to offer advice. I appreciate you.
 
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 10:15 AM
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As many have posted l, it turns out that it was the fuel filter. It is a very finicky beast and had to be seated perfectly in order for it to work properly. I was trying to install it like I would open a jar of pickles; one hand on the housing and one hand on the lid. That is not the way. You need to use both hands to slowly close the lid with downward pressure on each side. Once it is closed all the way, the twist is easy. You cannot muscle this part. Also, make sure you use petroleum jelly on the o-rings to make this a tad easier.

as soon as I had the housing closed this time, I knew it would work. Sure enough, after letting the lump prime the line a few times, it started right up.

Thank you again for everyone who messaged. I hope this can help someone else with the same issue.
 
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