Hi, I've seen some threads about this, but nothing that seems to deal w/what my car is doing.

A few months ago my Mini was really running rough when I was coming to a stop and it would eventually stall. I'd read that it was potentially an oil problem and added some and then it seemed to dirve ok. Not perfect, but the rough idle was improved, for awhile.

Then it started to act funny when I was driving around 40 mph, like it was missing a beat or couldn't get into the correct gear. I brought to dealership where they told me that I needed new spark plugs (they were 'gunky') and a repair to my solenoid valve.

Car has been operating much better, until today. Coming down a stretch of open road and then coming to a stop it was running really rough and RPM's were revving between 400-900. Car did not stall, but it felt that if I had to stay at the stop any longer I definitely would have stalled out.

When I spoke with Mini previously about this they informed me that being low on oil was the potential problem and that I burn 1qt/1k miles. I keep it in my trunk and check often, but could this really be the source of my cars poor performance?

I'm frustrated and at the point where I don't trust the car to go far away from the house. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

What year and what model?
Several different motors depending on the year, s or non s.....

 

2007 Mini Cooper, not S, automatic transmission

 

Unless you are clean out of oil, I doubt that low oil is the source of stalling and rough idle. Is your check engine light on? If so, go to a qualified MINI mechanic and have the car scanned for codes. That'll give you a clear idea of where to start. Where are you located?

 

Nope not totally out of oil, but low.

I have brought it to the MINI mechanics and have fixed my car based on their diagnosis, but the problem keep re-occurring. It's starting to feel like a money pit.

I'm in Illinois.