Hi All,

I get a rumble that starts to feel pretty unsteady typically when it's hot out and I'm stopped for more than 20-30 seconds. It starts to feel like a misfire and progressively gets worst as seconds go by. I don't know how bad it can actually get because I always hit the gas to keep the idle smooth, is this a known issue? New to Minis', new to the car, new to the forum, TIA. 6 spd R53 S (2004)

 

It's a known issue that lots of R53 owners have had. I don't think anyone has really came up with a fix....except to rev up the motor a little, and then it goes away. My mini will do it a few times a month....I'll be sitting at a light, and then all of a sudden it starts to idle really rough......then it gets worse and worse, to the point where it's almost shaking the entire car and it sounds like it's going to die. Then, after about 20 seconds...the idle smooths back out, and it goes away. Strange.

I can always tell it's going to happen because I noticed that the engine vacuum at idle starts to fall, and the AFR's start to lean out......

 

What gauge(s) are you using?

 

I'm got a vac/boost gauge and also a wide band AFR (air/fuel ratio) gauge. It's nice to be able to monitor what's going on with the motor

 

Great reply, pic is worth 1000 words!

 

Thanks for the reply! So no fix huh? Interesting.

I'm sure there is one but do you know if there is a how-to on boost gauge install? A search will surely find something but I figured I'd ask someone that has it already installed.

 

check your oil levels too, when mine starts to get on the lower side I get a bit more vibration in the mirrors and such

 

In the four years that I've been on the site, I've seen lots of people say they have the same rough idle issue every now and then....there are multiple threads if you search for them.

People have done everything you can think of to try to get it to stop.....but I yet to have seen where someone has been able to make the problem go away. Even guys with new motors have it, guys with ecu remaps get it, stock cars get it.......on and on.

As far as a boost gauge goes, just search for "boost gauge install"....there are lots of threads detailing the install. It's pretty easy.