Looking for a few educated guesses. Over the weekend, my 03 Justa popped up with these issues:

• Check Engine Light and DSC lights on
• (DSC light won't turn off using the DSC switch)
• the Mini stutters and sometimes dies in idle, rev needle moving up and down in idle
• Pop start and/or key-start right away works.

Had a heck of a time getting it home dealing with 10+ red lights.

I don't have a code reader but I've read it might be a bad MAP sensor. Do you agree? Is this something you can replace yourself? Mini of Loveland is booked 10+ days out...

 

A bottom of the line, generic OBD-II scanner will cost less than a single sensor, so why guess? The big box parts stores will scan the car for free, but it sounds like you are not in a position to drive the car there.

 

Yes, I'd definitely go and get one if I could. Think I'll try Amazon's next-day shipping ;-)

 

amazon is a good alternative to hitting autozone.

If your North you have SCR performance in Loveland, they work on MINIs.

If your South or in general Denver you have PEAK Eurosport, they are excellent with MINI repairs.

If your in Colorado Springs, Import Auto Technicians.

Or you could see if Schomp could work you in sooner than 10 days, but probably not.

Once you get a code reader, see if it points to the MAF or you could try cleaning the MAF with approved MAF cleaner available at Autozone or any good parts store.

Good luck, Don

 

Thanks for the referrals, Don - we/re in the North Denver area so I'll check with PEAK Eurosport today. I just ordered a code reader for delivery tomorrow, to find out what's going on. (Mini of Loveland now says no appointments until the second week of May...oh dear.)

Hate to miss the Sonic club get-together - have fun! :-(
Nadine

 

Give Ed a call at Peak, good mechanic, they have the right diagnostic tools to fix your MINI.

Sounds like you might have to get your MINI towed where ever you take it. That is always sad. :(

 

Hello gents,

my new code reader gave me the fault codes P0301 and P0300 for a cylinder misfire. I'm torn between MAP sensor and a compression issue, which might also explain an always sooty exhaust and a ticking engine.

Enough said. Taking her in tonight, keep your fingers crossed that it's not major surgery.

 

Sounds like limp mode to me. I had a stuck throttle assembly in Loveland, and "limped" to MINI of Loveland about a month back. They had the part in stock, and replaced it in about 2 hours. Very good service.
Anyway, it sounds like your in limp mode, and from my understanding the computer goes in that mode to limit your RPM's, while ensuring you can get the car to a safe place.
Hopefully your MINI is just keeping things under control, and you'll have a very Minor repair!!
Good luck, keep us informed!!

 

Thanks! Well, if you guys see a black Mini in the north metro area tonight, limping to the shop, feel free to give me a gentle push. :-D

 

* MINI DTC P0300 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire
* MINI DTC P0301 - Cylinder #1 Misfire
Start with the obvious like plugs and ignition coils.
The ECU is clearing seeing an electrical misfire in the ignition system, and it can be very easy to diagnose and trace a misfire.

- Erik

 

Thanks, Erik. I followed your advice and replaced the spark plugs with original Mini plugs (first time in my life paying $108 for spark plugs), and the ignition system looked fine. Cleared the ECU and the codes, no difference. Then I took her to the shop and am now awaiting their verdict...

 

Oyyy...I just got the call from the shop. It's a bad exhaust valve and they quoted $1600-1900 since they have to basically take the Mini apart. Ouch.

I told them I'll get back to them. First I need some input on this from my Mini club peeps. Is that an ok price? Should I take it elsewhere?

 

Unfortunately I have know idea if this is a fair deal. I looked on Penske to see if I could find a part, but I didn't see anything. Seems like a lot to me, but, I've had some Major repairs, and some minor ones. Anything I can't fix myself seems to be expensive. (Anything under the bonnet.)
If you know the exact part or part number, you can see how much it is online, of course labor is the expensive part. If you find out the part and can't find the price online, let me know, I'll look it up!

 

What shop did you take it to? $108.00 for plugs seems steep ($11.00 each at most). I know labor is involved, but $50.00+ worth!!!

As for a bad exhaust valve and $ quote to fix, I would call another shop
and get another opinon..

 

The $108 for new sparkplugs was at the dealer a couple weeks ago - didn't include labor. Sad, ain't it?

I've asked the shop for a copy of their diagnostics report and will get a quote from another shop.

@Pew: They told me it's so expensive because they have to take apart the cylinder head and it's a long process. The part itself is reasonable.

 

Yikes..

And labor to do the valve is probably ok price wise, but getting another opinon on the diagnostic is smart.

Bryan

 

Curious, you can send a PM, I would like to know what shop. I find dealer quotes are mostly high because of the physical plant and trained MINI technicians.

I do find smaller shops are usually more reasonable but take care your getting an experience MINI mechanic, some things on the MINI take some knowledge of MINI specifics.

The valve replacement cost does not sound out of line, is that complete head work, new valve and regrind and set all seats for the entire head? Gaskets, etc... How many hours of labor in this quote?

Don

 

Thanks for the good questions to ask them. They said it was going to be the total price for parts and labor but didn't go into details. Now that I know what to ask, I'll call them later!

 

Hi, heard any more? This thread took on new meaning whem my check engine light came on Sunday evening. Monday morning stopped by auto store and had them read the codes. P0300, 01, 02, 04. Guy there said they have seen alot of this and the most common is problem is bad gas!? Long story short put some 91% isopropyl alcohol in the tank, the car runs 99% better. Question, how do you clear the codes? I would like to find out if it is still misfiring before the trip to the shop.

 

Yep, we actually just got the Mini back a couple of days ago. The cylinder had misfired because of a bad valve which in turn had damaged the camshaft, and the chipped off piece from the camshaft meanwhile flew around in there and caused damage to the rocker arm. 10 days and 2k later, the Mini drives better than ever before, though. :-)

 

Glad to hear your back and running. Funny how large infusions of money will next a car work better. Probably faster due to not having to drag all that cash around with you! LOL