So I bought the 08 MCS in March 2013 with 53k miles and already replaced the vacuum pump and hoses, the temperature sensor, the timing chain recall done complete kit, all done at dealer. After driving the car for about 100 miles after chain kit I got a P2187 code. Dealer said it needed the valve cover and had that replaced too. Now after 40 miles of driving I got the same code again and took it back. Dealer said it was my fuel pump BUT not the high pressure one that is covered under warranty. The one with the fuel level installed on it and they said it could of been because I let the car gas tank run too empty. Which I did and I never do because of bad past experiences in other cars.


They reset the engine light and said it shouldn't come on anymore and If it did it will need the new pump. Well the engine light came on with the engine half light. Took it to Autozone to get the codes and I got the following: p0300, p0301, p0303 and p3197(if I remember correctly). First 3 were all misfires but the last one they couldn't come up with explanation. After looking on NAM some would say it's the high pressure fuel pump.


Now my question is how can I have them replace the high pressure pump first instead of coughing up $500+ for the fuel pump with the level on it? I'm not made of $$ and getting tired of driving loaner vehicles or sitting at waiting area!

 

It seems strange to have so many problems after just leaving the dealer. You should call MINI USA and tell them what's going on, ask if there is a more competent dealer you can go to and if they will cover the repair. Now is the time since you recently had other work done.

 

I've heard that dealer will sell you a **** load of stuff before replacing the HPFP, it seems as if they under pressure not to do so. At least that's the way it seems. Go to another dealer that won't sell you parts that don't fix the problem, I hate it when it's on your dime and after replacing all those parts the problem is still not fixed!

There was a member who took it in to a dealer and told them that he was getting codes for the HPFP, they dismissed it and stood by their own diagnostic even though the HPFP code was staring them in the face, you have to wonder why that is... Contact Mini USA and tell them of your displeasure, maybe there will be a human on the other end of the phone.

 

I had issues with my HPFP.... took it to Mini Dealer and they replaced it with no questions. No HPFP issues since.

 

This morning the car started up like nothing was wrong with it. Check engine light was gone and ran great. I called dealer and told them how it acted up and I told them my warranty company will pay for fuel pump with level as the dealer described was faulty if CEL came on again. Well after I told them that my warranty will cover it they quickly said they need to run a full diagnostic check on it, check the stored codes and see if that's the problem.


That's when I lost it......check to see if that's the problem!!! That's what I was told the problem was at first. Then he said he'll replace the pump as is no test and I'll have to pay full price but if it acts up its something else! WTF! If he runs a full test and that's not it I'll have to pay for diagnostic check! Plus whatever it needs. Makes no sense to me if he "supposedly" checked it yesterday!


I simply called MINIUSA explained the situation and was told to take it to another MINI dealer. Called one up 30 minutes away and told them the history of the vehicle and situation from yesterday and in the past(another story). So we'll see what happens tomorrow! Less than 12k miles, 10 months, almost 2 weeks in a loaner and I've been in stealerships for 5 things I think since owning it. I'm a single father with 1 tall teen and I like my 2 door hatches but don't know how much more wasted time and money I can handle.

 

So in other words the stealership never performed a full diagnostic like you paid them to do! Now that they know a warranty company is willing to pay for repair work they want you back in their shop because all they see are $$$$ signs now. Now you know their a crooked stealership, stay away from them! Which dealer was it if you don't mind me asking?

Maybe they'll find something else wrong with your Mini, it pays to be a Mini dealer damn! I'm in the wrong business! I feel your pain, my heart rate has increased since reading your update! Feel sick to my stomach because I have felt exactly what you feel now! It's shared pain that most Mini owners can understand.

They love to guess at what's wrong when there's money to be made, imagine if they really wanted to find the actual problem. You would only have to pay once not multiple times for stuff you really didn't need replacing. The dealer should be able to pinpoint the issue since the on-board computers are supposed to provide info, my ECU never gives me a code or cel when I get detonation or misfires. Always 2-3 misfires, sound the same every time.

 

Time to start a relationship with a good independent shop.

 

Ditto.... I found an excellent mechanic in my area with a very nice shop that specializes in BMW, MINI, Porsche and Mercedes... he is not cheap, but he is less expensive than the dealer as well as trustworthy and fair!

 

Well I had to drive 25 miles, wait 4hrs and got my car back running smooth and as fast as I first bought it. It turns out it was the HPFP after all, not the "other" fuel pump the stealer dealer told me about! I had been hearing a constant click noise under the hood and thought it was the timing chain but after the replaced the timing kit complete the click was still there. The (far away) dealer said some HPFP click as they're going bad. Not all but they heard some do when they're checking them. I'm happy now that the car is fixed free of charge!!! Now I was told by the service advisor if the light does come back on it'll need a valve cleaning. But he did recommend a Chevron Techroline over the counter additive to add to the gas tank to clean it out first. Drive the vehicle for 60 miles and if the light doesn't go away then it would need to actually get it cleaned professionally.


All I have to say is thanks to MINI of Dallas! Yes their younger service advisors need to be more informative, and more customer service friendly. But at least my car is fixed for now.

 

Glad to hear they fixed you up. I wish I had a dealer within 25 miles, but then I wouldn't be living out in the country if I did. Prefer to stay out of the cities other than visiting. I'm sorta hoping my HPFP goes out within the next 6K miles. Not really wishing my little car ill will, but I'd still like to have the thing replaced while still under warranty.
Don't really see an advantage to adding Techroline to the tank with a DI engine though. If it cleans the injectors it wouldn't be a bad thing though. I usually run a bottle of STP injector cleaner through my vehicles every time I change the oil. Let us know if your CEL goes out.

 

Glad to hear the other dealer diagnosed it correctly, you might take it back there is this dealer is trustworthy. That Techron doesn't hold a candle to BG 44K Fuel Cleaning System, while it's expensive (about $20 per bottle) but worth every penny! They even have a Power Enhancer that gives more power to you fuel for the most efficient combustion process.

I had my intake runners and intake valves walnut blasted by my local dealer and there was new life to my engine, gained a lot of lost torque! I still had carbon in the combustion chambers, a few bottles of BG and you should be good to go. It's used by many BMW, Mercedes-Benz and many other professional service centers, that's why it's hard to find locally. You buy it on eBay and Amazon.

 

Well I plan on looking for a MINI mechanic soon. I usually work on all my vehicles but getting tired/old of working underneath cars, leaning down into the hood working on things, back hurting the next day, cuts in my hands etc etc...... I used to love it now everything is so, electronic and no room to actually fit your hands in small spaces.


I will definitely be trying out some sort of BG or Chevron product very soon. Hopefully it won't give me any problems for now. If it comes back on I'll be posting I'm sure. For now happy motoring!

 

I've said it before many times in this forum... If I'm paying my own ducats, I am NOT going to a dealer!