Car: 2009 MCS 8,000 miles

The cold start rattle has been fixed under warranty – Very good!

However, for the last couple of weeks I have been having an issue starting the MCS after it has been sitting. It does it about 75% of the time.

I’ll start the car and the engine will start, but then starts to miss and die out completely. Sometimes it takes 1 try to start her, while once and a while (after a long sit) it takes 3 tries.
I brought it to the dealer, and of course over they were unable to reproduce it and it did not pull any codes. Problem solving is not one of the dealer’s traits.

Now, I start it like a carbureted car… I give it gas on startup which seems to cure the problem.

My only theory is that I got bad gas. It started after I was forced to go to a somewhat shady/run-down station. I ran the gas out until I only had 100 miles left on the tank, and filled it up with some good 93… Problem is that it is still doing it.

Maybe I should cycle through this tank?

Any thought would be appreciated.

 

These fuel pumps are notorious for going bad. My vote.

 

Thanks for the reply, that was one of my thoughts.

However, doesn't the pump prime when you hit the unlock button? I always hear that noise.

Also, under load it has no problems.

 

that noise is the gas cap unlocking...

Do some searches on here about it, I would venture to guess others may have similar issues.

 

Ha, that's the gas cap?!

It's like a lock on a bank vault.

 

hahah yup. It means business

 

+1 got a new high pressure fuel pump & all is well again.

 

High pressure fuel pump.

 

Thanks all for the replies!

I am contacting my dealer for another go.

I'll keep you all posted.

 

Been there, done that ... high pressure fuel pump ... no doubt

 

Is this something that would mostly likely fail after a long drive? I got to take it to the dealer that is 90 miles away. I only have to the problem at start up... So far the driving part has been great (fingers crossed).

 

UPDATE-

The car is fixed. I took it to a diffrent dealer last Saturday. They did not jack me around and actually knew what I was talking about before I even gave them the keys. They also did my 1 year oil change a month early

The best part? I needed a loaner so they gave me a BRG 2010 Clubman S with 56 miles on it. Can't get much better.

Moral of the story: Crown Mini of Richmond Rocks... Checkard FLag Mini/BMW in VA Beach... Not so good (STAY AWAY)

 

good. glad to hear youve got a good one close by. some arent so lucky

 

This seems eerily similar to the problem I experience with my car, except with my car it only happens when it is below freezing outside. The first time I took it in there was a fault in the computer, the next time they replaced the fuel pump, the next time the performed an engine cleaning, the next time they replaced the tensioner, the next time I was told i was using too high an octane of gas ( I use 93), then this last time they cleaned out the fuel injectors. Each time they told me that my problem should be fixed, each time it wasnt. sadly it is warm now and my car doesn't have the problem right now. But the fuel pump wasn't causing my problem, and it sounded just like yours. I had also been in 3 times a year before for my intake manifold, and eventually it got replaced. Mine is a 2007 mcs. take that for what its worth

 

I just had my MCS 2008 in for the start issue for the third time. First trip they re-flashed the ECU. No CEL light issues.
They finally changed the high pressure fuel pump, but after a 10 mile drive and 15 min stop it did it again.
I will wait and see if it does it tomorrow first thing.

 

I agree, I haven't had any problems yet with Crown. They've replace the windshield, HPFP and top so far and haven't batted an eye! And they even clean Sarah up so she looks pretty when I go to pick her up.

 

Lol...the noise he is talking about is not the gas cap unlocking.

It is indeed the fuel pump pressurizing....but not the HPFP, its the low pressure pump in the tank. Since the HPFP needs extremely high pressure, it pre-pressurizes the fuel coming from the tank before a start. This is the pump-like noise you hear when you unlock the car, or open the door after sitting for a while.

Sounds like the hydraulic pumps that SMG or Ferrari F1 tranny cars have.

 

Well, I still have the issue and its getting worse. I was using 87 gas for almost two years without any issues in FLA. The dealer I bought it from said it should be OK. The manual does leave to door open for using a low grade, but just does not recommend it.
Now living in Tennessee and this issue started after 4 months so I still don't think its the gas; However, this "new" dealer in Knoxville said I should be using 91 or above so I am using 93 and am on my third tank with issue actually getting worse. Now its not just a cold start, but sometimes after running for various times.
Any new news? The dealer does not have a clue.