I did some digging around various forums but couldn’t find my symptoms so I reaching out here to hopefully narrow this issue down. The mini is a 2005 S with around 62K miles on it and it has been showing signs of some slippage recently. To my knowledge the car is stock aside from a milltek catback. It is intermittent and hard to recreate.. it doesn’t feel like clutch slip as I remember it, rather when under heavy throttle the revs just hang around 3K or 4K or so. After a second or two it’s back to normal accelerating. Non spirited drives show no signs of any slippage.

Thoughts:
Clutch could be in its way out, but no burning clutch smells. Still can pull off burnouts and access good mostly so leaning to other areas.

Could be belt slip but not sure the mechanics behind that theory.

Thinking it it may be the BPV venting under boost but spring feels good. Still have to take the unit off and inspect. Was planning on doing the vgc mod this weekend.

Has as anyone had a similar issue? Any advice would be appreciated. I don’t want to throw money at this to try to fix it.

TIA!


Sab

 

Well, it is hard to say, with your thoughts, but I will offer a few ideas!
Power loss at higher RPMs can mean the crank pulley (they all go out) is separating and slipping at higher revs, as the supercharger puts a heavy demand on it. Also the AC will quit at higher revs too.
Power loss can also be due to fuel delivery issues and the bypass vent spring or diaphragm may be going out. The PCV may be stuck open, or gummed up. A vacuum hose may have fallen off or collapsed.
Check the codes and it will tell where you should start looking.

This is the premier Mini site! Look into the gen 1 area stock problems and it should help you with many stock issues that crop up!
Pics?

 

Clutch slippage is evident, especially at higher rpms. If your revs are going up (say, above 4,000) but your car is not accelerating, it's normally a slipping clutch.

 

This is where it is different and makes me think it isn’t a slipping clutch. The revs don’t go higher as I am accelerating, rather they stay at say 4K but I can hear the engine working more... I am ordering an ac compressor and new belt and I’ll see if that has any impact on the issue. Also, I will be replacing the PCV valve as there is a slight pressure leak through the oil cap.

Any my other thoughts?.. Thanks for the replies so far!

 

I'm also thinking that the crank pulley may be in the early stages of letting go.
The pulley center is solid rubber, they've been known to slip slightly at first.

 

Why are you replacing the AC Compressor? Do you have the AC on when you are having this problem?

 

AC compressor is being replaced for a separate issue.. it needs to work in this heat! It hasn’t worked since I owned the car so I couldn’t say if there was once a connection.

 

Make sure to replace the dryer tank, or you will have trouble. You could vacuum the system for 4 to 6 hours and that may work, but the dryer cartridge is cheap!

 

That's how mine started and I let it go to the point were the bearing shattered and clutch went to crap. Definitely clutch issue. It's going to cost a pretty penny, mine ran me about $1300

 

I am really hoping it isn't the clutch! Can't deal with another pricey diagnosis... fingers crossed the new belt and pcv show positive improvements.

 

Replaced PCV and belt... little improvements but the slippage is still present. Usually occurring at or around 3K and revs hold to about 4K then runs normally. I’m starting to think it may be either the crank pulley as I now have mild vibrations starting out at lower speeds.

Any other areas I should look at? Thanks!

 

Experienced the same symptoms recently. I did think (hope) it was belt slippage at first but ended up doing the clutch. Went with the Valeo single mass flywheel package and couldn't be happier.

 

I'm having trouble understanding how the clutch could be the issue with the described symptoms. When I've had a clutch go, the RPMs would quickly climb without the car accelerating. They wouldn't hang out at 4000 RPM.

 

That is what is throwing me off as well. I managed to get a clip of the occurrence as it happens more predictably with the tighter belt on. Still open to thoughts on this as I’m not willing to throw money at this thing any more than I have. Thanks!

Video is a 3rd year pull from about 3K steady to 5 grand. If I cruise with mild throttle inputs it doesn’t slip at all. Also after 4K there is no issues whatsoever and pulls healthy to redline..

 

It's the clutch

 

That to me doesn't sound like a clutch issue, and may possibly be the bypass valve, or even the crank pulley, as others have pointed out. I had a slipping clutch last year before I changed it out, and the revs were climbing, not staying the same.