Hi all, been forever since last time I posted, but finally getting the time to enjoy my Mini again.

So here my issue, finally decided to get my car on the track and do some racing again (Entire reason I bought my '09 JCW). Took it out last fall and it ran great. Got out to the track last Friday and not so good. Within about 4 laps the power dropped and pulling in the pits uncovered an obvious problem, the intake hose had come of the inlet side of the turbo charger, after cleaning the seal and turbocharger up (oily) i was able to get the hose back on solid, but the "half power" engine light was on and had little to no boost (car ran fine otherwise). After getting back tot he pits after the session I checked for codes using my scan tool (cheapie) but no faults were found, ran the erase anyway and it cleared the "half power" light and the car ran fine (full boost)....for a lap and a half and alas the light came back on. This time there was a p0100 (maf) pending code, took intake apart cleaned MAF wire with some cleaner spray along with the rest of the intake hoses, but third session same problem light back on after 1 lap. I came home cleaned air filter (K&N) erased codes and car runs fine for hours until you go to full throttle mode for more then ~15 seconds then back comes the light.

I'm suspecting that maybe the fuel pump may be weak (car has 160K miles with original fuel pump), but it's too expensive to just start swapping parts and hoping. Anyone experience this issue, or have any ideas. My thought right now is to take it to the dealer hoping they can get a better diagnostic and just not start swapping parts and breaking my wallet.

 

So an update on my situation (I hate when people leave a thread without giving the resolution). I ended up taking my car to the dealer as my cheap code reader would not read mini specific codes. They say the wastegate on the turbocharger is bad (this sort of makes sense as even when the half power light is reset before it comes back on I don't seem to be able to pull more the ~10 lbs of boost).

I'm obviously not going to pay stealer price to replace my turbo and will do it myself, but I want to verify that to be the issue before replacing, I found an article on Pelican parts on testing the wastegate, but here are may questions:

I want to verify the codes before starting, so any recommendations on code reader software (preferably laptop as my eyes aren't as good as they used to be) that read manufacturer specific codes.

Anyone running this turbo charger (https://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME...en2-2007-20125) or recommendations on aftermarket vs. stock turbos. I'm going to be mostly doing track events in the car so looking at some basic engine mods while I'm in there (downpipe, FMIC, CAI, oil catch can) anything else?

I assume a computer reprogram or upgrade would be suggested, any recommendation on tuners?

Thanks in advance.

 

Finally fixed. Was indeed the turbocharger waste-gate (the turbine also had a little play, but not excessive) so replaced with this Turbocharger:https://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME...58-R59-R60-R61 . While I was in there I did a new downpipe, CAI, FMIC and a Manic Stage 2 computer tune...Dyno results attached, but pretty happy so far:

229.9 WHP
286.5 WTQ

 

The dyno results look a little wavy to me. Maybe some experts will chime in.

 

Yes they are, Was going to talk to the tuner. It definitely has a "warble" on the top end and you can see the boost gauge losing pressure and then bouncing back (maybe 2-3 lbs), I'm going to talk to the tuner. Thinking maybe a fuel issue, but not sure.