I just started my 2008 MCS and the engine light turned on right away.
I started driving it and it feels like it's shaking a little bit and it sounds weird as well.
I called the "local" MINI dealer, which is about 35 minutes from me and he said I could drive it to the shop and that he is sure it would not die on me while on my way there.
I take good care of my Mini and this is really new to me. In fact, I didn't even touch the car for two days before this happened.
Any thoughts, ideas or recommendations before I go in this journey?

 

Could be a few things. Do you have a pepboys or similar place that will read the codes for you?

I have a similar symptom. You can read about it here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-r55s-n18.html

Given that yours sat for 2 days....i would guess HPFP, but thats just a guess.

If you are really concerned I would get it towed or at least have someone follow you. Do you have a more local BMW/Mini shop? Where are you located?

 

Have you ever had a walnut blast done on the car?

 

There is an Autozone about 5 miles that does the check for free. I might stop by them before taking the journey. There is a Pep Boys right next door to them, but they actually suck.

As stupid as this might sound, I don't know what HPFP is.

The closest MINI place is about 35 minutes. BMW is actually further away. My zip code is 33897.

 

I don't think so. Mostly because I have no idea what that is. 😐

 

So a HPFP is the high pressure fuel pump which can go bad and cause fuel delivery problems. Walnut blasting is the cleaning procedure to remove carbon from the intake valves since these cars are direct injection which means fuel never washes the backs of the intake valves. The check engine light is most likely caused by the HPFP which always seems to go bad on BMW's and MINI's.

 

Got it. I've only owned this car for about 8 months and I can tell you this is the first time I have a problem with it.

 

Is it still under warranty? If not there is no reason to bring to the dealer. They are really expensive. Look for a good independent mechanic. Maybe someone can suggest one.

There is a recall for some model year HPFP.

 

It's still under the extended warranty.

 

Use this site here to help you find a local MINI indy shop that may be closer to you than the dealer: http://www.minirepairshops.com/

I'd pull those codes as it will give us a better idea of what possibly may be going on. Depending on your mileage and if it hasn't been done, a carbon clean up might be a good idea as signs of build up are things such as a rough idle, poor acceleration, stalling or single to multiple cylinder misfires.

 

Thanks. It looks like a few of them are closers than the dealership, however, I have to call them and ask if they work with the extended warranty and if they can fix it the same day.
Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing many of those signs when I started driving it yesterday.

 

How many miles are on your MINI? Typically, every 50k is when you want to do a clean up, but pulling the codes will help us determine what your real issue may be. If it's not a carbon build up issue and you're at 50k or more and have never done a clean up you still should. If the extended warranty is not a dealership warranty, but a 3rd party warranty company an Indy shop should be able to work with that warranty company no problem. It's always good to check. If it does end up being a HPFP issue, you qualify and are in the 10 year/120k mile warranty then you'll have to do that repair at a dealer.

 

The car has 84K miles on it. But it already had 82K when I bought it. I have a third party extended warranty.
I think I will drive it to the closest shop and see what they say.
What I am concerned about is the time it might take to get it fixed. I start a new job on Saturday and need the car to get there.

 

Just a quick update:
So yesterday I called the shop where I take my wife's car (a Dodge) and see if they are MINI certified, turns out they are and they work with my extended warranty. They are only 6-7 miles from my house.

They just called me and told me I needed new coils, all-new spark plugs, a small leak fixed and an oil change.
He also asked me when was the last time I had an oil change because "it looked like a very long time" (and it wasn't synthetic); but I remember watching the guy do it in front of me about 3 months ago.

I am not sure how things got so bad so quickly.

Anyway, more to come...

 

If it wasn't synthetic then that's a problem. It will breakdown in a hurry.

Who did the previous oil change, and did they change the filter?

 

How did they know it wasn't synthetic oil?

 

I took it to Royal European Motors in Kissimmee. A friend of mine used to work there. Now that you mention it, I don't think the filter was changed.

 

I don't know, but it's a good question. I'll ask him that.

 

If you plan on keeping the car, and if you're unsure if the car has ever had a walnut blast to remove the carbon...I'd recommend finding an independent shop that works on MINI...should only cost $400 or so.

It's normal preventive maintenance that has to be done...carbon build-up will give you a CEL.

Another option is to DIY...should be info on the Internet.

 

Thanks for the advise.
I think DIY is my only option right now consodering I wasn't expecting this to happen, so my budget is a little tight for now.
I'll do some research about it.

 

I'd be surprised you would be able to get all the supplies/tools to DIY cheaper than a shop. Make some calls before you dive in.

 

Yeah, I just looked and it seems like a real time-consuming thing to do and it might save you money only in the long run.
Does anybody know if this (walnut blasting) is covered by extended warranty?

 

We have a tech article on our site that can help you tackle the cleaning without having to purchase the walnut blasting adapter and wand. It's a bit time consuming, but it's how we were cleaning MINI valves before MINI and BMW released the walnut blaster adapter for these engines. You can view it HERE, post #6. I do not believe walnut blasting is covered by an extended warranty.

 

I just called my "local" MINI dealer and a few indy shops and they said the extended warranty sometimes covers it, the issue is that the approval will depend on whether it is done to solve a problem (fix the car) or just as manintenance.
I guess it depends on the angle the shop uses when they talk to the warranty people.

 

Good info from Pelican

Good news for Val P that the walnut blast could be covered.