Today on my way to work, I did a hard pull through 1st,2nd, and into 3rd gear. About 3500-4000 rpm in third, loss of power, backfiring kinda noises, cloud of what looked like black smoke when I looked in the rearview mirror. Really though I would see oil, water, and scattered engine parts on the road, but nope, just that smoke. So, of course, I got on it again a couple more times. Same thing in 3rd on the next romp, got the half check engine light, and limp mode. Shut it off, restarted, no more half check engine, back to full power, then on the third run, same thing happened in 2nd gear. Get to work, pull codes with my ScanGauge2, then my stupid generic code reader, both gave P0087 fuel pressure code. Mods are in my profile. The JB+ has been on the car for 6 years now, and I see boost numbers of 18-22 PSI. I did replace the head about 13k miles ago after an overheat issue. I used a 37k mile head from a 2013 MCS (was worried about warping, and didn't want to have the head surfaced), cleaned the valves/intake ports with a soda blaster, and used all new MINI gaskets, new TTY bolts, newest chain tensioner, new top guide, guide rail bolts, new NGK 1422 plugs, etc. I also had to swap in my 2011 intake cam, as the 2013 intake cam had the drive for the later HPFP. Engine itself has 121k miles on it, I have had it for right at 100k miles, and I have never replaced the timing chain, because it's never showed any signs of issues. I run Mobil 1 0w40, 5k miles between changes, and only use MINI oil filters. I am about 1200 miles into this oil change, and it's down maybe 1/3 quart. This thing has always been very light on oil consumption, 1 to 1.5 quarts between oil services. So.....long story longer, could this be "super knock"? If so, what would be causing it? It's never done this before. Or, conversely, could it be a weak low pressure fuel pump, or a failing HPFP? I am on my third HPFP, IIRC, and when the others failed, the symptoms and codes were completely different. I drove it home from work gently, never going over 4k or so, and tried to keep the boost under 10 PSI. No issues on the way home. I have an appointment with an indy "autohaus" on Tuesday next week for them to drive the car while recording live data, hopefully when the issue occurs again. They are only doing the testing and diagnosis, as I am a mechanic by trade, and will do the work myself, based upon what they find. I work on Police Interceptors for a living, so none of my scan tools have Euro data, and honestly, this little car and all it's high-tech stuff are beyond my experience. Anyone have a similar issue who could enlighten me as to what the problem turned out to be? Just trying to get some ideas/theories. Thanks! Sorry for writing a novel....

Edited to add....I have replaced the in-tank fuel filter twice now, the most recent being around 13k miles ago.

 

According to https://bmwfault.codes your code is triggered when the fuel rail pressure is too low. Based on your descriptions, I would believe the HPFP to be going out. If you are using cheaper pumps, they don’t seem to last as long as the OEM pumps. If you’ve recently replaced it, see if you have a warranty?

 

Any HPFP that was replaced would have been under warranty at the MINI dealer, so I would assume an OEM HPFP. When I had HPFP failures before, I had hard starting and several codes. Not saying it isn't the HPFP, just doesn't fit with my previous failures.