Looking for some input since but here's what's going on. My Mini went in for a check engine light/death rattle (again). My 07 MCS has 90k miles. Thankfully the TB is fine but the head gasket and TB cover were both faulty. The dealership replaced those under warranty since I've the same issue with the TB cover. While there the dealer called and mentioned that my carbon buildup was really bad and should be cleaned. They did the carbon cleaning and I picked up my car on Friday. They also did some programming upgrades. The rattle is gone but the car feels awfully slow, with almost zero boost. I don't have a boost gauge but normally if I get on it I will get some serious torque steer. My question is it possible the programming has reset the ECU so that it's learning and limiting boost? It doesn't make sense to me but perhaps someone else has had the same issue.

Thanks.

 

The car should not be driving any differently (negatively). My guess is something is loose but you'd probably also have a check engine light. Put plenty of miles on it and see if anything changes.

 

That was my thought. I would assume if anything the car would have more pep since the engine should be running better with the carbon gone.

 

Any chance your car was tuned before and they flashed the ECU?

 

No the car is stock. Is it possible the BOV is shot? It really feels like there is zero boost, almost like the Justa loaner I drove.

 

I would think that driving it would help a bunch. It would not suprise me if they do some kind of reset on the ECU so that it learns how to handle the cleaned ports.

After a few days, if it feels normal again, then you are probably ready for an AP. :-)

Mike

 

have you contacted the dealer about your concerns/observations?

 

kromdom I will contact them on Monday. I thought it was just me because I hadn't driven the car for a while. My wife drives the Mini now and after she drove it she said it feels really slow.

mbwicz - if I were driving the car I'd have the AP on there already I drive the A4 which has already been modded to Stage 2 (HF Cat and tune). Would love to drive a MCS with the tune just to see what it fees like

 

When I get on it I get zero boost but I don't have a boost gauge.


REALLY DUDE?!

 

This sounds like an issue i'm having too, Please keep us updated if the dealership gets you fixed up and what they found. Thanks!

 

Having a similar problem. Had the death rattle and a valve cover gasket leak, had crappy power. Had both of those fixed via warranty, rattle is gone, still no power.

 

Shane, you do seem like a knowledgeable MINI owner and are no doubt a swell guy in person, but your online persona and ability to communicate peacefully and effectively are consistently in dire need of a ground-up restoration and ecu tune.

 

What is a TB cover?

Dave

 

Check all clamps on piping going to/from the turbo and intercooler.

The scan ecu for codes, they can show up even when you have no CEL.