So yesterday I got into my Mini to start it. It barely started, then proceeded to chug really hard, I couldn't tell if it was idling or wanting to die . I made a big mistake and let go of the clutch after about 30s of struggling (the gearbox wasn't engaged... figured I'd make that clear) and vrmm..... it stalls . I attempted to start it up 1 more time in the bitter cold, and no go. Tried again later that afternoon and it won't turn over. Smelled the dipstick, and I could definately smell gas.

Worst part, it's way colder today than the 2 days it died on me. It seems like my mini doesn't start once it hits about -30 degrees celsius - then proceeds to flood itself. Today it's -45 degrees so getting a tow truck to come out and help me is pretty much impossible. Additionally, all the roads are drifted over with snow, so it makes it extra difficult to get my mini to the garage through the backalley.

I really wish it came with a blockheater, but the dealership says it's not necessary. Well... I think it is. Anyways, has anyone else had better success than myself in the cold? This is the second time this has happened. And how hard is it to fix a flooded engine myself? I wanna learn to do more work on my mini myself, some guides would be nice if anyone wants to point me in the right direction.

 

Moisture/ice in the throttle, many are having this issue, do a search

 

Check out the "Stock Problems/Issues forum. Look under "Horrible Cold Start Clattering... It will make you sick. You have an 07 MCS dont you?? I have the same problem. Mine is at the dealers now. This is the 7th or 8th time. Lots of folks are having this issue. My dealer still doesn't know what to do. The regional engineer is coming from Chicago (I live in Omaha, NE) to look at it.

 

-45? Sheesh. Where are you?

 

An old trick that they used to use before block heaters could be gotten on anything other than a diesel is a drop light and a blanket under the hood. Not sure how well that would work on a Mini, or if you could fit one under the bonnet at all. But it's bound to offer some kind of improvement in that kind of ridiculously bitter cold. Where the hell are you anyway, on top of Mt. Washington?

 

+1?

 

Greenbay?

 

Caribou Maine?

 

Though poster said Celcius..still DARN cold...I'm guessing the fridgid Canadian NORTH hey?

This thread and the frozen/iced throttle threads (along with my nearest dealer 120 miles away) are main reasons MINI is "still under consideration"

Rick

 

-45C...I thought maybe that would be warmer in F, but it -49F... wonder if that's inclusive of windchill. Given he gave the temp in C, I assume it's outside the US.

 

None of you are serious?

Stock or common problem when doesn't start at -40???????

 

I imagine most cars would have a hard time starting at that temperature. It would take quite a while for the oil to warm up as well.

 

If I were to EVER be in a temperature that read "negative" anything I don't think I'd walk out the door!

 

FYI, To help start a flooded vehicle, engage "clear flood mode" by holding the pedal to the floor while cranking...no fuel will be delivered while the pedal is all the way done. This will help to evaporate the fuel in the combustion chamber. Also be careful of too much gas getting into the oil during a cold no start condition...If you think this is true and you will not be driving the car for some time under partial load so that the extra hydrocarbons can be removed by the PCV valve, you may want to consider an oil change. Good luck and hope this helps!

 

If there isn't an option for a block heater, I wonder if a tank heater would work. It's been a while since I had to have one, but in Wyoming, it was a necessity. -40 to -45 for a period of a couple weeks each winter. The tank heater was attached to one of the hoses on the radiator in my car, I think. But I could be completely wrong too. BTW, this was not a MINI. It was an old Ford.

 

-45c, wow thats cold. Thats cruelty to any make of car. suggest that you get a crankcase heater of some type, maybe one that fits in the dipstick tube. Or better still come on down here to Florida , it is going to be 80F+today.

 

I live in central Alberta, Canada. We don't typically get down to -45 degrees Celsius often at all. The last time I remember temperatures this cold was quite a few years ago... and ya, I didn't bother trying to do anything with my mini at that temperature. But -30 Celsius isn't that uncommon atleast a few times a year in the winter months

 

I've heard of this issue, is it primarily happening on the Cooper S or on the regular Coopers also?

 

Well mine is just a regular Mini Cooper without a turbo, so I dunno.