Brand new manual MINI with 1400 miles and coming to a stop. He simply must have forgot to push in the clutch and car starts to stall and engine ticks, BANGS and BUCKS violently for a second or two. He was able to push in the clutch before the car stalled. No engine light and car seemingly runs totally fine. But my friend is upset since to took the time to carefully break the car in. The car really bucked hard and he is worried he caused damage. Is he overthinking it? Can a OBD tool tell him is anything happened?

 

That's just rookie clutch maneuvers I'm sure the car is fine.

 

I'm with bav, it's fine. That situation is bound to happen from time to time..

 

I thought if the car pings and predetonates it can really damage an engine very extensivly and in short order?!

 

The engine is toast, tell your friend to pm me and I'll give him $500 to sign the title over to me. You're welcome.

 

I'm with Minnie - engine is toast. At least, that's what I've read on the Internet.

 

It's fine People do a lot worst to there non broken in motors

 

Harmless...

 

I have a very corny saying: If that's the worst that happens your friend has got it made. Tell him he needs to lighten up a little.

 

That has to happen to 1,000's of people every day. It's harmless...

 

Yes you are correct BUT the car was not pinging or predetonating. The car was bucking because he didn't disengage the transmission.

 

Ah good point! So any damage/stress, if at all, could have been to the clutch/trans/ALL4?

 

Nope, low power from the engine = low stress on the driveline.

Stalling an engine is harmless unless you stall it by driving it into a lake.

 

Torment him mercilessly for a day or 2 before letting him know his engine's fine.

 

It's bad if parts are falling off from down under...otherwise it may only mess up the damper springs on the clutch plate...usually added vibration and rattles will let you know if that happens...good luck in the new year...I never will have that issue in my 2010 Mayfair...it's an automatic.

 

If it runs and shifts fine I wouldn't worry about it, drive it and have fun.

 

Thanks everybody! Ill tell him to relax

 

Take your friend out & show him how to drive a stick. It happens no big deal.