Hi all. New to the forum..although I spend a fair amount of time reading and learning over the last 12 months.

I have a 2007 R56. 5 days ago, it didn't want to start. It still doesn't. It sounds as if it wants to fire up, but never really gets to the point of taking off on it's own. Here is what I've done so far:

On the advice of the car dude at a garage 30 miles away that specializes in German cars (including Mini), I changed the battery (it was the original Mini battery)

I couldn't find the fuel rail test port to check fuel pressure, but i did disconnect the high pressure line from the fuel pump and cranked the engine...plenty of fuel at that location.

Prior to that, I took off the air intake and sprayed some carb cleaner in there...no difference.

I took out the spark plugs...which were soaked and black. I checked for spark on each cylinder and there was plenty of spark. I have an old set of spark plugs that were fine when i took them out, that I've put back in.

I had someone crank the engine while I looked through the opening for adding oil to see if the cam was moving - and it was moving. I'm assuming that means that the timing chain is intact.

That is where I stopped. The nearest MINI dealer is 75 miles away - so I'm trying to check all the low fruit to see if I can solve the problem before I call AAA and have them tow the critter to the dealer.

If there is anything that you think I should look at, please let me know. I'll gladly post what the result is no matter what route I take.

Thanks

Mike

 

First guess would be the HPFP. Seems a little odd it would go from no problem to not starting so abruptly, but starting problems often seem to come back to the HPFP. Second guess would be carbon build-up in the intake. If it is bad enough to prevent starting, a little carb cleaner is not going to fix it. You'll need it cleaned mechanically, either by hand (DIY) or the walnut shell blasting.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

 

Latest post/progress:

I remembered that the problem occurred within hours of a fillup at a local shell station. I always go there for the 93 octane. I figured that this time maybe it was a bad tank. I decided to put in a bottle of gasoline antifreeze to dry out any water that may be in there, and within 5 minutes it started up.

It ran for 15 minutes. Then started running rough, died, and hasn't started again. So much for cause and effect misplaced. Although I did pump my fist a couple of times when it started up. Felt good while it lasted.

Now...to top it all off, I think one too may times on the start button. The nice "whirring" sound makes me believe its exceeded its duty cycle for the week.

I guess it is off to the dealer, after Christmas that is.

 

It is always the HPFP. Unless you are on the original battery or the starter is going. Warranty on the pump though take it to the dealer and see what they say.

 

It would be helpful if you got yourself an INPA (OBD2) cable and checked the DME for any logged errors... There is also a procedure to do it without the cable, by entering in the SET/INFO menu and then CHECK-CONTROL.

 

*double post*

 

It's almost impossible to diagnose for sure that the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) is failing with joe blow garage tools. The fact that you saw fuel coming out of the supply line just means the low pressure pump is functioning. You need a BMW scan tool to see what the actual fuel rail pressure vs. fuel rail pressure demand (from ECU) is. They also have the adapter to see if the low pressure pump is providing enough pressure.

You need to go to the dealer.

 

Quick update. AAA is taking the car to Shelburne VT - the closest Mini dealer. Friday they will do the once over. I checked with Mini customer service and the HPFP is warranted and there is a recall for an Aux Water Pump that I will try to get the dealer to replace as well. I'll post when I hear what the dealer says.

I've wanted to get a scan tool for a while. I think the thing that has prevented me from getting one is the fact that "knowing" what is wrong on half the battle. Doing the work in that tight little engine compartment when you don't have a garage...well, that's likely not going to happen.

Thanks all. More follow-up soon.

 

Hello All: Latest report

Changed the HPFP. Changed the water pump (recall). Dealer mechanic said there was a lot of gas in the oil, but thought that was because I tried to start it so many times without it starting. (replaced the starter that I burnt out). Now - we find that the injectors are stuck open, because the new oil is now full of fuel again. HOW do injectors get stuck open? Their explanation is that it's a carbon build up issue and they recommend the walnut shell blasting process.

All this = $2500 (are you kidding me?)

70k miles on a 2007 R56 - been running fine for 12 months and all this happens all at once? Just seems odd that the injectors have a mechanical failure (is that really possible?)

I guess I'll have to lay a complaint on the same pile of complaints that Mini has for this kind of thing. I really like(d) the car up until now. Wow. A little soured on this experience. But, not many options. I'm still paying for the car - so can't just let it sit and rot over the VT winter.

 

@Mikereali

Do the gas in your area have ethanol? I notice similar symptoms when I was filling my car with 92 Shell V Power (US Version) with ethanol. Then I switch back to 91 Shell V Power with no ethanol (Canadian Version) and its gone.

 

yes, ethanol. And the fact that I added a bottle of ethanol (fuel dryer) when it wouldn't start prior to this whole mess. I'm wondering if that was part of the culprit.

 

Momentum Mini in Houston said that the ethanol in the gas is what's causing the carbon build up!

 

Good to know. Thanks for the info. It would seem that ethanol would have less crud in it that would cause any carbon buildup but what do i know.