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I went to fill up the gas tank of my 2011 MINI Cooper S on Sunday morning. Immediately afterwards and at around 0.7 mile from the gas station on my way home, the yellow/orange "engine" symbol lighted up on the dashboard (see photo) and the car immediately got into limp mode. I could barely drive over 20 mph. Luckily, I was only about 1 mile from home, so I was able to make it back safely. I stopped the engine and restarted. The engine symbol continued to lit up, even if I waited over night before starting again.
I googled and found that one of common causes of check engine light was loose or faulty gas cap. Since it happened right after the fill-up, I suspect that it might be the case. However, the cap seemed to close properly. I tried to open the cap then reclosed it. The engine light persisted. I used a OBD2 scanner to read the error code, and it shows "P0303: Cylinder 3 misfire detected". Has anyone experience similar situation? Here are my questions:
1. How can I tell if the gas cap was the culprit? Can it cause engine misfire?
2. Should I try to erase the code and drive a little bit to see if the engine light would come on again.
3. Is it safe to drive in this condition to local auto mechanic which is 3 miles from my home? What might be the risk of doing so?
I would appreciate any other suggestions/thoughts.
Agreed with @njaremka The gas cap would most likely throw error P0456.
I had the same situation recently - P0302 code. The first thing I did was to take ignition coil from the cylinder 2 and swap it with cylinder 3 coil. Reset the error, start the engine. CEL tuned on. This time the error was P0303. I then swapped the coils from cylinders 3 and 4. Repeated the steps and got P0304 error. So in my case it was a bad coil. Ordered and replaced all 4 as recommended. No errors and engine is running fine since then.
If the error code doesn't follow the coil it might be the spark plug instead.
If the code was P0303, I would not expect the gas cap to be the cause. When were the plugs and coils last changed out?
Thanks for the advice! I have not changed the plugs and coils since I bought him in August 2019 when it had 48k miles (currently 58k) on the odometer. So they may still be original.
Agreed with @njaremka The gas cap would most likely throw error P0456.
I had the same situation recently - P0302 code. The first thing I did was to take ignition coil from the cylinder 2 and swap it with cylinder 3 coil. Reset the error, start the engine. CEL tuned on. This time the error was P0303. I then swapped the coils from cylinders 3 and 4. Repeated the steps and got P0304 error. So in my case it was a bad coil. Ordered and replaced all 4 as recommended. No errors and engine is running fine since then.
If the error code doesn't follow the coil it might be the spark plug instead.
This is very helpful. Much appreciated! Unfortunately, I am not mechanically inclined, so a visit to auto shop will be necessary. But at least I know what to expect. Do you think it is okay to drive it on limp mode for 3 miles to the auto repair shop?
This is very helpful. Much appreciated! Unfortunately, I am not mechanically inclined, so a visit to auto shop will be necessary. But at least I know what to expect. Do you think it is okay to drive it on limp mode for 3 miles to the auto repair shop?
Here is a how to on how to check coils and plugs. This isn't hard to do whatsoever, lack of tools i can see, but really not that hard. You're going to be throwing away money running to a mechanic, these are little BMW's so be prepared.
Here is a how to on how to check coils and plugs. This isn't hard to do whatsoever, lack of tools i can see, but really not that hard. You're going to be throwing away money running to a mechanic, these are little BMW's so be prepared.
Thank you for the informative link. Changing coils seems easy enough. I may give it a shot (perform what maccoder did first to determine whether coil is the issue). As to replacing plugs, like you said, I am lack of those tools so would have to purchase those as well. Yeah I know, these are little BMW's. Fun to drive but costly to maintain if not DIY. Even independent shops charge upward of $500 every time going in. The thing I hate is that they all use this "bible" to charge labor hours. So they would charge you, say, 2 hours for a job even if it actually took them only 1 hours or less. I may get some quotes via Yelp first.
Thank you for the informative link. Changing coils seems easy enough. I may give it a shot (perform what maccoder did first to determine whether coil is the issue). As to replacing plugs, like you said, I am lack of those tools so would have to purchase those as well. Yeah I know, these are little BMW's. Fun to drive but costly to maintain if not DIY. Even independent shops charge upward of $500 every time going in. The thing I hate is that they all use this "bible" to charge labor hours. So they would charge you, say, 2 hours for a job even if it actually took them only 1 hours or less. I may get some quotes via Yelp first.
I personally have an Indy mechanic I trust from the big jobs, he did my clutch. However, after having to show one of his techs where and how to get to the oil filter, I knew I was going to have to try and maintain her. Slowly but surely I’m picking up the tools I need. I try to hunt YouTube for videos on how to do what it is I need. Most of the time you will get a list of tools, 1a Auto videos are great for this. I did pick up a Haynes manual and have a Newtis account, bmw/mini online manuals pm me for any details on that, this forum is full of knowledge, and finally a Bentley manual is only a phone call or text away. I rent the brake caliper tool from local auto parts store, it’s free so why not, although I have been tossing around picking up my own. You also might be able to find another miniac around you that might have the tools and some knowledge and might be willing to help, Facebook might help here with local groups. For me any money saved can go in the gas tank, oil changes, or new rubber.
Here is a how to on how to check coils and plugs. This isn't hard to do whatsoever, lack of tools i can see, but really not that hard. You're going to be throwing away money running to a mechanic, these are little BMW's so be prepared.
@Jason Cornelius Thank you for the information and encouragement. I have replaced the coils and plugs by myself last week. I just wanted to provide an update, and hopefully as a testimony for others in the future who may be unsure of DIY.
Like what @maccoder did, I first swapped the coils of cylinder #3 with that of #2, and the error code followed. So, I replaced that coils pack and the error went away. If I really wanted to to save money, $20 would be the total cost to fix it. However, since my car has over 58k miles on the odometer, I decided to replace all coils and plugs. With some research, total costs for parts was only $135. I also bought a spark plug socket for $15. I figured that I saved at least $300 probably $400 on not only labor cost but also the mark-up on parts which auto repair shops would charge. (For example, one shop quoted $39.20 each for spark plugs; I paid $10.56 for OEM plugs.) The process was indeed not difficult. Those YouTube videos surely help. Most of all, this forum is a great resource of knowledge and experienced enthusiasts who are so kind and ready to help.
@Jason Cornelius Thank you for the information and encouragement. I have replaced the coils and plugs by myself last week. I just wanted to provide an update, and hopefully as a testimony for others in the future who may be unsure of DIY.
Like what @maccoder did, I first swapped the coils of cylinder #3 with that of #2, and the error code followed. So, I replaced that coils pack and the error went away. If I really wanted to to save money, $20 would be the total cost to fix it. However, since my car has over 58k miles on the odometer, I decided to replace all coils and plugs. With some research, total costs for parts was only $135. I also bought a spark plug socket for $15. I figured that I saved at least $300 probably $400 on not only labor cost but also the mark-up on parts which auto repair shops would charge. (For example, one shop quoted $39.20 each for spark plugs; I paid $10.56 for OEM plugs.) The process was indeed not difficult. Those YouTube videos surely help. Most of all, this forum is a great resource of knowledge and experienced enthusiasts who are so kind and ready to help.
that is great news. That kind of is the point around here. There are those of us that aren’t afraid to get in there and get their hands dirty, those who have the money and don’t care to pay, and finally someone like you, with a little knowledge you can see it’s not that bad, and you saved some money that can go towards maintenance or some fun mods.
Congrats on successful project!
Money saved is just one aspect of it. I personally find an enormous amount of satisfaction when I do something with my MINI. I think personal touch elevates connection between car and driver to a totally different level. But, hey, you already know what I am talking about, right?
Happy motoring!
Congrats on successful project!
Money saved is just one aspect of it. I personally find an enormous amount of satisfaction when I do something with my MINI. I think personal touch elevates connection between car and driver to a totally different level. But, hey, you already know what I am talking about, right?
Happy motoring!
100%! I was so thrilled when the engine restarted and the error code gone. Took him out for a spin and the joy was priceless!
I used the special schwaben socket to install the plugs. Just check the side of the plug as some aftermarket use the stock Beru multipoint design and others like (brisk plugs) to do the old school 6 point.
I know it’s a bit extreme, I swap my plugs every year. It’s part of my yearly MOTD maintenance, along with new pads and rotors and fluids. I’m going to do my coils this year, and toss the old ones in the back, just in case, with the spare plugs I also carry. Nothing like being 6 hours from home and wondering if you can get her back there.
