2010 MCS 30k Miles 2nd owner. Still under factory warranty correct?

Have an appointment this thurs at MINI of Ontario. Car had been running fine. Saturday morning I noticed it was having a rough idle. Today the CEL came on.
Scan shows the following codes

P0302 Misfire Cyl 2
P2D52 Super Knock Max
P2DCB ???
P2783
P277F

Not sure which was what but the last 2 were "multiple cylinder misfire" "cyl 2 error"

Sucks!

 

Clear the codes and move the coil from cylinder 2 to a different cylinder and see if it follows the coil....if it does, you have a bad coil.

 

Well I need to get my hood scoop replaced under warranty anyways, so I figured I would just let MINI diagnose it. I have read it can be anything from bad plugs,coils,o2 to maf.....

 

I would say either a high pressure pump or carbon build up on intake valves.
Good luck with the repairs!

 

HPFP was another possibility. Carbon was another as well. Does MINI do the walnut shell blasting? That seems to be the best method. 30k seems kinda low for high carbon build up. But I don't know what type of driver the previous owner was. I drive quite spirited daily!!

 

MINI will charge you $150 to diagnose.....(at least that's what they charge here). To swap the coils is a 5 minute experience. If it does follow the #2 coil, a new coil is $65.

Mini does do walnut blast for carbon @ $750....(again, my local MINI). I went to an Indy and was charged $425. I did it with 42K and they were absolutley ugly! Now it drives like a new car with power that I never experienced as I'm not the original owner (bought with 33K).

 

So if the car is still under factory warranty I still have to pay 150 for a diagnosis? Excess carbon build-up is not covered under warranty? I won't pay for MINI to blast it. To many other shops can do it cheaper. If it's the HPFP that should be covered under warranty. Bad coil that's not warranty either?

Sorry this is the first car I have ever owned that was still under a factory warranty not sure how all this works.

When looking at the engine from the front bumper with the hood up, where is coil #2?

 

If you have an 08, then its covered under the original factory warranty until no later than 31 Dec 2012, or 48K miles....since you only have 33K miles, it must have been put into service from today through the end of the year to still be valid. If you have an extended warranty, then what MINI will cover is dependant on the language in the extended warranty.

So, if you're under warranty, then the diagnosis is free (unless the part causing the problem is not covered under warranty). If its a coil it will be covered unless you're under an extended warranty...that will depend on what is specifically covered.

The HPFP is covered through 100K miles...not sure about the number of years...I think its 7 or 10 years, or ?

The media blast is not covered under warranty....MINI's first solution which is a Seafoam or BK44 solution is also not free ($280 at my MINI dealer) which is next to useless for carbon buildup....it may be OK for maintenance (like with every oil change as a preventative or slow down of the buildup).

If you do the media blast, install a OCC and PCV block....it seems to either eliminate or significantly reduce the carbon buildup). I did this mod after I did a media blast.

 

I have a 2010 bought it with 27k miles. I picked it up from MINI dealer out in LA. The dealer I will take it to is different than the dealer I bought it from.

Seafoam is pointless and won't pay to have that done. I thought I was covered for 5yr/50k miles (base warranty)

 

J&C,

Sorry about the year & miles mixup on my part....there is another thread for CEL codes that involves an 08 with 33k.....

Back to you....you are in factory warranty so there is no charge for the diagnosis. If the fix is to de-carbon the intake, you will pay for that as it is not part of the recommended maintenance from the factory. Based on how many people have this problem (all of us to some degree with the MCS) it should be a regular maintenance item. The dealer would first recommend the Seaform then if that doesn't work, the media blast....unfortunately, you get to pay the cost.

I can highly recommend Motoring Magic in Thousand Oaks for any service you need.

 

What type of scanner did you use?
My OEM service manual calls out different fault code explanations.

But, seriously, you're under warranty and allow the dealer to take care of the faults and problems at no cost...

- Erik

 

The Alta Access Port

Well that was the plan, but when my wife called to make an appointment she said the service tech that answered the phone was rude and stated we needed the extended powertrain warranty.

Not sure if they had some sort of misunderstanding or what not, but I was under the impression that my factory warranty is still good. This was a certified used car from Nick Alexander MINI. They are in LA and I'm out here in the Inland Empire. They told my wife they will give me a loaner car for 1 day then I have to pay for it after that!! is that normal?

 

Certified pre own or Cpo warranty is generally 6 years 100k. Should be written if it is a cpo.

Also you should be able to get a loaner for the entire period of the repair.

Judging from what you have said about how the dealer has treated you and your wife, I would go to another dealer. They will make plenty of $$$ from repairs so if they are not customer friendly, please do yourself a favor and walk.

 

You do NOT need an extended warranty....you are within the factory warranty. A loner car should be provided for as long as it takes....but I bet they will put it on carbon buildup which is not covered by ANY warranty....gotcha.

Have them diagnose it (free) and if they go the carbon buildup route, take it to an Indy and save some $.

BTW, drop this dealer...I dropped Bob Smith in Calabasas as they are criminal to the point where I sued and won.

 

Where do you get your MINI serviced? I live out here in Hemet. So MINI of Ontario is close. I will see how things go when I take the car in. I think they might give me crap since I purchased the car at another dealership. I know so I know what things I can and can't do. If they say carbon......fine I will take it to a private shop and get it fixed. Then if I get the code again I will take it back. As long as it's under warranty I will make sure to get it fixed by them. But like I said I will have to see how I get treated when I show up. I know I thought I should have a loaner for as long as it takes as well. We will see what happens. The car now has 30k miles. When do people change the plugs? I am sure they will say they need to be changed. I know they overcharge like crazy for that. I will need to research what plugs to get and do it myself if they say that.

Plus the wife just told me, they stated they are out of courtesy cars and will get a enterprise rent a car??????????

 

Ah... no. You can bring your vehicle to ANY dealer regardless of purchase.

Speak direct and concise telling them that they can earn you as a returning customer... That speaks volume!

Grab the OEM units; nothing else.
And they are typically due every 60K miles - but many have changed them sooner to regain some lost power due to electrode wear.

If it doesn't cost you a dime, the loaner / rental could be any vehicle in their fleet. Enjoy it!

- Erik

 

I have my MINI serviced at Motoring Magic in Thousand Oaks (Ventura County).

They only do MINI and they are impressive.

I changed my plugs when they did the media blast as they have to remove the plugs when they do the service. They use NGK Iridium plugs.

Stick with it, that's what the warranty is for. Call MINI USA and complain...it works, it did for me on several occasions. Most people just take what the dealer says as the final word, but those few of us who don't take the crap and are persistent will be fairly heard and treated.

 

Thanks for all the replies everybody!!!

 

Jack, rumor has it the cause of your faults was a cracked spark plug?
Details would be appreciated for archive records.

- Erik

 

Yes. Cylinder 2 had a cracked spark plug. No information as to why it cracked. Plug was replaced and diagnostics ran. Everything seems great now. It was covered under warranty and my service was fine. I installed my AP again and have yet to receive a super knock code.