I have had my 2006 MINI S on non op woth DMV for about 4 -5 years now due to a trans issue I have not been able to fix…Either way, I make sure to start it up from time to time and it even had the battery replaced about a year ago. It has always started right up and no issues with that but 2 days ago I tried to start it up and it would just crank. I cranked it multiple times that eventually it killed the battery. I charged the battery up and same thing, cranks but no start. I added some SEAFOAM motor treatment in case the gas has moisture in it or something but still does not start. Nothing has been done to the car and just sits so I know its nothing I have touched or messed with as it just NOT STARTED this time, it has always turned on immediately after turning the key. I am not that knowledgeable on these cars yet so do not know where to start to look and need some assistance from you the pros lol.

I need to move it our of the back yard into the driveway for a remodeling of the garage so I kinda need to figure this out asap. Any fuses i should look at or wires

 

Upon further inspection I noticed 3 things that may be worth mentioning and you all can tell me if possibly related.

1. The battery “squib” cable that goes on the positive terminal in the rear appeared to be flimsy and moved at the yellow plug. I am not sure if its suppose to plug one way or or if it turns while connected since the + cable moves when replacing the battery and thus giving it free play for it not to break off, however, after trying to unplug it, it broke off and now the yellow plug is damaged. Not sure if it got damaged when removing the battery at any point, but would a damaged battery squib cause the car to crank and not start?

2. I removed the fuel filter cover and did not hear anything when turning the key, I removed the hose that clips on the fuel filter cover and turned the key and no fuel either, i tired to remove the filter but there are two hoses (clear/yellowish and black) that appear to prevent it from coming out. Could this signal a bad fuel pump not pumping gas thru? Now I may have to replace the rubber seal as it appeared to be gummy.

3. Fuel smelled a bit like turpentine more than fuel itself but clearish yellow and no visible gunk inside the tank., Could this be bad fuel or the sea foam additive?

 

If your ETHANOL "enhanced" fuel is 4 or 5 years old, that certainly won't help the situation and SEAFOAM won't make it well. Get the bad fuel out and put in Non-ETHANOL.

 

It may be 4 or so years old for sure but I remember putting in a fuel stabilizer in the tank before parking it and has a bit less than half tank. What is the best way to remove the fuel? Syphon from where the fuel pump is or? Also, am I suppose to get flow of gas from the hose connected to fuel pump when disconnected and I crank the motor?

 

Fuel stabilizer is only good for up to 2 years at best. Leaving the tank at less than full allows condensation. I really don't know what to tell you about getting out the fuel. I've never done it in a MINI. You really don't want to crank the engine at this point. You probably want to siphon out the fuel pre-pump.

 

If you tried to start with a bad battery / connection - you could have caused ews to go out of sync. When was the last time it ran on that gas. Check for spark when cranking.

 

Battery was low but NOT bad. Charges right up but what is EWS? And how do i check or fix that?
Last time it ran on that gas was like 4-5 mos ago, however not RUN exactly just turned on and let it idle to warm up.

As mentioned above, I didnt hear any priming on the fuel pump as usual with other cars when you turn the key to run…pretty quiet back there so is it suppose to be that way or should i hear the pump running? Any way to test it to make sure its good/bad?

 

You need a BMW / Mini diagnostic tool like INPA or DIS.

Try this thread - not sure how to do a good diagnosis on r53.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ooper-r53.html

 

Thank you so much for sharing the thread.

 

All good now?