I was driving today for almost 5hrs and suddenly CEL light came up. I have a 2003 cooper S. mods are Unknows Alta Pully, Ramus Exhaust and 2 weeks ago just removed the air box and added an after market cone shape filter.

I just hooked up the code reader and it says P0171. can someone please explain what to do ? it says system lean.

can you please tell me what to do images will help as well so I know what you guys are talking about, sorry just a newbie lol

much appricated.

 

any help is much appriciated. I guess Ill have to remove the stock IC and not sure which hoses to look for, it seems like its a vacum hose related ? GRRR. help

 

BUMP

Monday comes early,.. And I don't know for sure. Someone who knows will try to help.

Edit: how many miles you have?

G'night

 

thanks, still waiting :(

 

Did you reset it? Did it come back on again

 

I wouldn't worry too much about that code. I used to get it after I installed a 15% pulley. I found that when it appeared, i had done something like hitting the accelerator and suddenly lifting. it was just a temporary thing and the ECU learned to ignore it. Haven't seen it for a long time and I have over 170K on QXX without ever having removed the head. I'm running a Mini Mania (like K & N) cone filter in my JCW cold air intake. Hope that helps.

jim

 

Mike, I will try reseting my battery and see what happens boss.

Thank you so much Jim for explaining it to me, I tried deleting the code, but its failing "another workds its not letting me". I will leave it as is then.

just to add today I decided to remove the IC cover for the first time and try to to check the hoses underneath the IC. however, one of the bolts got jacked up, I was using the 30Torx and it messed it up. now I cant open it anymore, seems like I gotta take it a shop and have them remove it for me :(.

I just moved to a new city and today I got to the new city and tomorrow is the work day and this CEL light came up and im like shoot, tomorrow I gotta drive 30 min back and forth lol. Now atleast I feel better about it.

 

It's a general LEAN code, meaning your motor is taking in more air than it should and the ECM can't seem to adjust for the optimum air/fuel ratio. This code is generally not serious but I would keep an eye on gas mileage by calculating it manually after each refuel. It might go away after a few cycles of restarts.

Your pulley might be the cause as it pumps more air into the motor. Another is air leaking into the intake side. For example, my VW has a brake booster leak that causes this same code if driven in stop-n-go traffic. Every time I let go of the gas, the system goes into vacuum and sucks in air through the booster.

 

I'd say given the R50/53's lust for burning exhaust valves I'd say its pretty serious.

Check for intake leaks, measure fuel pressure and volume at WOT, measure MAF for proper readings, clean MAF.. Check for intake leaks.

 

If you're digging deep into the gas pedal and the motor is running lean, then I would agree. High compression at high RPM and lean ratio is not COOL for the exhaust valves.

If there's a leak on the intake side that causes the motor to run lean ONLY when you're at idle or let off the gas (vacuum), it's not a big deal since the motor is not under load... and air can only be sucked in under vacuum conditions.

I forgot to mention that checking fuel pressure is important as well.

 

I had a P0171 along with the other one for unmetered air after compressor (can't remember the code right now). Car runned like crap and would barely moves, opened the hood while engine was idling and the oem exhaust manifold was glowing red. So yeah, I'd say that running lean isn't something to take lightly.

 

Quite a list of mods you have there!

When you say the exhaust glow red at idle, was that after a drive or did it turn red simply by idling like after a cold start?

If it ran like crap and the exhaust manifold glowed red at idle, then your Lean condition was totally out of whack! Did you find out what the problem was?

 

ok im officially screwed I guess.
I just removed the IC and checked to see if there was any vacum lines beein loose. but didnt see any so I ended up putting everything back together and reset the battery so hopefully its all fixed. took a car for a test drive and OMG, it idles like ****... around 1500rpm and its so loud overall, then went on freeway and they car is not even going its like it has no power at all.

I moved to a city that dont know anybody which is Santa Barbara lol, please help. Not familiar with this car at all.

is it possible that I just installed the IC backwords or something ? IDK. it was much better until I removed the IC. anyways, regardless of all, I have a check engine light that needs to get fixed.

 

I just checked now and found out that im getting P0507 and I can hear a lot of air leaking noise I believe it is, which is pretty loud from the right ( driver side ) of the IC. seems like I did not put it back together properly or messed up a hose or something ? dangit.

 

Nardin,

If the sound wasn't there before you took off the IC, it might a faulty installation. I would check again.

If it's running badly, have it checked by the dealer or Mini specialist. It needs to be hooked up for diagnostic. If you're actually hearing air hissing, there might be a huge leak and you don't want to be running the engine with out-of-control air leak. P0507 means the engine computer can no longer control idle.

 

thanks for your help. I just checked the IC and the coupler was off onthe driver side so I pushed it in then got it fitted properly then when I start the car, it shutts off right away :(. seems like no air :(.

I live in Santa barbara, and I have no idea where to tow the car now, the car is not starting anymore and needs to be towed, is there any specialist that may come to take a look at the car by my house ? thanks for your help guys.

 

I did a google serch and found this MINI of Camarillo 311 E Daily Dr Camarillo, CA 93010 (888) 685-8119. Its says its about 41 miles from Santa Barbara. Hope this helps

 

thank you so much for your reply 05mini, I did a search and found these guys who are supposely mini techs, well Ill give them a call tomorrow and see if they will come by the house to take a look at car from santa barbara.

im really surprise to see this thing happening to begin with. only took a 350 mile trip then CEL light came on and now here :(.

 

Hope you get everything worked out and back on the road asap. Keep us posted.

 

thanks again, shop told me that my wiring and some sensors were melte :(< then he said they have to replace those first then take the car for the test drive and see if the problems are solved then ill have the car back and if not then they will look to see what else is wrong with it. what a Pain In The A...

thank you all for your replies, will see what happens.

 

I randomly get the P0171 code, generally going up a long gradual hill at partial throttle. I never had it happen until I took my car in for service and the dealer "updated" the computer at about 20-30k miles. (so quite a few years and miles ago) At the time I had not done any mods, was bone stock, and started throwing this code on the way home from the dealer (about 4 hours). I checked every fitting on the car for an air leak, have yet to find one. Have continued to mod and have had no problems, but still randomly get the P0171 code. Generally clear it and continue on. I've never seen the 507 code.

Good luck,

Nik

 

Idle! Let's say I turned the key off rather quickly. It was a cracked intercooler boot, air was getting sucked in and making it run lean and throw the unmetered air after compressor code.

 

oh thanks guys, well, it was my F up, due to removing the IC and not putting it back up properly and car was idling like crack and kept on driving it due to emergency situations. and then car gave up on on me... anyways, took it to the shop and said this sensor was burned and had to replace it, it coast them 85 bucks and for rewiring and all that the total coast came up to 400 LOOOOL. WTF is going on here ? is this ferrari or welcome to mini ? or simply I gotta burn that shop ?

 

They can get to be expensive. I couldn't afford mine if I couldn't work on it myself.

My first car burned a hole in the top of a piston, because I set the ignition too far advanced. I think most of us have had expensive lessons along the way of learning to work on our own cars.

I know I need to take my time and not rush into a project until I have done lots of research and am clear on all instructions, have all the proper tools, all the gaskets I'll need, etc. For example I want to pull my SC, and change the s/c oil. This is a job I know to be towards the top of my current skill level... I know I have the talent, as I've removed and replaced entire engines, clutches, cylinder heads, etc... But I'm new to MINI, and I won't attempt this one till I can afford to pony-up and buy the Bentley shop manual for MINI R53.

Anyway.. I just thought your first experiences with your MINI breaking down and all kinda sucks, and I can empathize with that -been there in my day.

Hoping that things will turn out better for you in the future with your new car. MINIs should bring lots of smiles to their drivers in my opinion.

Motor on.

 

Remember...
Mini=BMW when it comes to parts prices, and shop time...$$$ adds up quick.
Know your limits when you work on your car....
You can save big $$, but can cost yourself big $$$$ even faster!!