R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Help me fix the problem...

Old Jul 15, 2009 | 05:16 AM
  #1  
mister wiggles's Avatar
mister wiggles
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
Help me fix the problem...

Preface: I'm driving a 2003 MCS. Only engine mods are intake and engine damping kit.

Problem: Turning on the AC robs the car of all enjoyable power. The car stutters (more-so a vibration) in first gear and really takes a long time to go through the RPM ranges. The car is healthy; regular maintenance, seldom sees past 6k rpm, etc. I've always assumed this to be the characteristic of mini's. What modifications are available to remedy this issue or is it a mechanical problem with the car?

Rolling shot for *****...

 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 06:20 AM
  #2  
minilites's Avatar
minilites
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 2
From: canoga park cailf.
Good morning,the next mod that would help with your loss of power
with the a/c on would be a pully.increase in TQ and HP
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 06:26 AM
  #3  
minilites's Avatar
minilites
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 2
From: canoga park cailf.
nothing wrong with your car ,only dealing with 98 ci close to 1600cc's
for a engine size
 

Last edited by minilites; Jul 15, 2009 at 10:15 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 07:16 AM
  #4  
Bigshot's Avatar
Bigshot
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 2
Get a pulley and tune. More HP.....no problem

 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 10:07 AM
  #5  
DanSeals's Avatar
DanSeals
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Nice pic
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 09:17 PM
  #6  
MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS's Avatar
MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS
Vendor
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta/Indianapolis
Start with the pulley, it's the biggest bang for your buck.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/product...cat=272&page=1
 
__________________
www.WayMotorWorks.com 2006 & 2007 NAMCC Overall Champion
Alta,M7,Helix,Wilwood,H-sport,Milltek,CROSS,Craven,DDM,H&R,Megan,Carbotech,EBC,Forge,TSW,Powerflex
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 10:34 PM
  #7  
MerchoMini's Avatar
MerchoMini
4th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
I mean should he really be losing power when the ac is on tho, i feel like that is not a normal characteristic.........
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 10:39 PM
  #8  
chaseabryant's Avatar
chaseabryant
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by MerchoMini
I mean should he really be losing power when the ac is on tho, i feel like that is not a normal characteristic.........
I feel it whenever the AC is on in my '03 S. That is why I don't run the AC...
all of my friends laugh at me because of this

-Chase
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2009 | 08:28 AM
  #9  
NOTDULL's Avatar
NOTDULL
2nd Gear
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: So Calif
My Mini has been outstanding without ever losing power with the A/C on. I thought all Minis were this way.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2009 | 09:12 AM
  #10  
Victa's Avatar
Victa
2nd Gear
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: San Mateo, CA
power loss makes sense if the engine is diverting energy to running the ac compressor...
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2009 | 09:36 AM
  #11  
goin440's Avatar
goin440
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
From: Speedway
A/C Delete:

 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2009 | 01:03 PM
  #12  
mister wiggles's Avatar
mister wiggles
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
Thanks for the responses. The only problem with the pulley reduction is that it's going void my extended warranty and also its an expensive install. I've looked over the DIY and I don't trust myself enough to do it on my own.

AC delete is not an option; especially in houston and the car as my daily!

I guess it's a relief to know that this symptom is experienced amongst other mini drivers besides myself. I drove the gen 2 minis and they didn't seem as affected by the powerloss with AC on.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2009 | 01:19 PM
  #13  
cLuTcH's Avatar
cLuTcH
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
What benefits does the A/C delete provide other than weight loss? I never, ever use my A/C...
 
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2009 | 06:12 PM
  #14  
mister wiggles's Avatar
mister wiggles
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
Okay. shortly after i posted this thread, my DSC, ABS, and TPMS light all turn on. I take it to my indy shop and he's not getting any fault codes from the ECU. A few days pass and i take the car to the dealership hoping they'll find the problem and my extended warranty to cover repairs.

This afternoon, i call my advisor and it's like hearing a relative going to the hospital with no cure. The front left wheel speed sensor is out ($300), right side joing axle needs to be replaced ($1,100), and the transmission needs to be replaced according to them for a crack at the slave cylinder (:drum roll: $6,000).

Needless to say, i pulled the car out of the shop. The advisor blamed the crack in the transmission from the car being too low. Needless to say I'm going to put my OEM suspension back on and give the warranty (3rd party) a shot.

Anybody have any recommendations as far as the repairs go. Can the tranmission portion of the repairs be "spot replaced?"
 

Last edited by mister wiggles; Jul 24, 2009 at 06:18 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2009 | 06:34 PM
  #15  
MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS's Avatar
MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS
Vendor
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta/Indianapolis
You said take it to your Indy shop? are you in Indy, if so give us a call and we'll help you out, and alot cheaper than the dealer.

WAY
317.201.8670
 
__________________
www.WayMotorWorks.com 2006 & 2007 NAMCC Overall Champion
Alta,M7,Helix,Wilwood,H-sport,Milltek,CROSS,Craven,DDM,H&R,Megan,Carbotech,EBC,Forge,TSW,Powerflex
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 11:47 AM
  #16  
mister wiggles's Avatar
mister wiggles
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS
You said take it to your Indy shop? are you in Indy, if so give us a call and we'll help you out, and alot cheaper than the dealer.

WAY
317.201.8670
i apologize, indy is in reference to independent shop. I'm in Texas.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Steffen.Johnson
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
42
Jan 25, 2023 02:47 PM
wildwestrider
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
11
Jan 29, 2016 05:06 PM
minimofo
MINI Parts for Sale
2
Dec 26, 2015 12:03 PM
gnhovis
MINI Parts for Sale
1
Dec 14, 2015 05:31 PM
DTIREY
R55 :: Clubman Talk (2008+)
1
Sep 29, 2015 01:00 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:12 AM.