Can you help a girl solve a mystery, pretty please?

I have a 2010 S, that received a quick, inexpensive modification in 2011. I watched my ex-husband do this, and the whole process required, maybe, 10-20 minutes, and no tools that I remember - maybe a wrench?

Here are the clues I have about what was done:

1. I have a note that says, "Noise maker removal $10 (Dorman compression plugs 2600 and 2601)"
2. I have another note that says, "'Cold air intake' - K&N Outerwear prefilter $30" (Not a K&N Cold Air Intake part, just a prefilter to be used on/with the cold air intake. I think?)
3. The goal, as I remember it, was to remove the noise maker, and replace/augment? some part of the original cold air intake with the K&N prefilter to bring in more air (I think??). There was NO aftermarket cold air intake "part" used, only what's listed above.

The modification seemed to work well, and I haven't given it a second thought since 2011... until last week when I was driving down the highway (in 4 degree F weather!) and thought I heard a noise from the engine compartment (wasn't sure), after which, the "feel" through the gas pedal changed - the car become much less responsive, but still drivable. It would accelerate, but with difficulty.

The next morning when I started it, the check engine light came on, so I took it in to the local MINI dealership. I've attached the two photos they sent me, and here's what the dealership said:Sooooo.... here's the BIG mystery. WHAT THE HECK was done to my MINI in 2011 and HOW can I re-do it (quickly, easily, inexpensively) rather than have the dealership re-install the noise maker and pay the them $400-500??

And if you know anyone in the greater Denver, Colorado, area who could do this for me... I'd be happy to pay them for their time and expertise.

This is probably a good place to mention that I am NOT mechanically inclined at all, and my entire collection of tools includes a Leatherman multitool, a very sharp knife and a Ruger 9mm (not that that's much help with the MINI)

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks,

~ Elizabeth

 

Why didn't helpful Andy at the dealership take care of this?

Anyway, it would be helpful to know what the check engine code was. As for the noisemaker delete, it is a common procedure mentioned on this forum. A Dorman Compression part looks a bit like this,... is something like this disconnected now? A big vacuum leak could possibly cause these symptoms, but why did a mechanic at the dealer let you drive away with it like this?

 

Well the dealership still HAS the vehicle at the moment. They are suggesting that they sell me a new noisemaker and re-install it, all for about $450-ish, which doesn't make any sense to me. I'd rather have the modification re-done.

I asked about the check engine code, and they said, "oh, a check engine light can mean a ton of different things." So I never heard any specifics on that, but I just got off the phone with the dealership and they said that, yes, it is a vacuum leak. So apparently, something is now missing.

Thanks for your help.

 

the pipe pictured in #2 needs to be plugged off. find a rubber cap at home depot or lowes and put a hose clamp around it. simple as that.

 

Just like bmx045 said. It's a leak, cap it off. You can replace the hose from NM with a different hose https://www.velocityfactor.net/Scrip...dcategory=2751 or you can get a cane or stool rubber piece from Home Depot with a clamp and call it a day. I can't the dealership wants to charge you $450.00 WOW. The code will go away in a few days. That happened to me. Good luck.

 

I agree with what everyone said above. What I'm worried about is where did the mod plug go???

 

Sure, Dorman makes a compression fit cap off plug, it must have fallen off. It is that simple to cap it off like the others said, you can do it. Go get your car from those guys and their $450 estimate.

 

Or order the kit from WAY and try it your self
http://www.waymotorworks.com/noise-m...5-r56-r57.html

 

I've been using this kit since I first got that car in '10, doesn't leak and easy to install.