I may be incorrect but I've been under the presumption that the warranty aspect of the HPFP was covered as part of the emissions and MINI was more or less forced to accept a warranty period of 10 yr\120K miles no matter what, like a federal mandate. I'm not sure why anymore that I came to believe that. Musta been here?

 

There's little logic to why you're not covered, only difference is a few engine specs. It seems like if Mini can get away with it 10 times out of 10 they will screw owners just to save a buck! Yours should be covered because you have the same part as a regular MCS. You would think that owning the cream of the crop JCW models that you would get equal treatment to those that own non JCW's.

 

The guy at my dealership actually told me this "campaign" only covers non-JCW minis, because it actually uses a different fuel pump.

Well ECS Tuning's site takes me to the exact same fuel pump if I say I'm a JCW or an S-model (Mfg Part# 13517588879).

Such BS.

 

BS is exactly what it is. My 2009 JCW Clubman is covered under the extended warranty on the HPFP -- and I've got a letter from MINI to prove it.

I would press the matter further with MINI USA; I don't think your dealer is fully clued in on this -- or is just plain ignoring the 'campaign.'

 

Mini USA is catering to the masses and not those few percentages that have a JCW model, Mini does what it can to save money. Between the timing chains HPFP's, and CVT transmissions (R53) this has got to be hurting Mini USA's pocket book! This is not counting engine replacements for damaged engines do to the timing chain jumping its sprockets!

 

I change my oil every 4500 miles… and my '13 MCS, only has 26 thousand miles on the odometer. I check my oil, every other fill-up and I just had to replace the timing chain tensioner… HPFP? I'm starting to wonder if the Mini makes a fragile product?

 

Expect to be replacing all timing chain components in the future, it's typical when the tensioner goes the chain soon follows because it has already begun to stretch. Just get it down at a reputable repair shop when it does go bad because the dealer labor rates are ridiculous! You could probably get it done for around $1200.

 

I replaced my tensioner under recall back at 40k miles, I'm at 70k miles now. My car runs strong, but we'll see if that happens. I have yet to hear it happen to any N18s so far.

 

You must have replaced the tensioner early which is why you've gone 30k miles with no problems, I'll give you a 50/50 chance that you'll have timing chain issue if you put 150k on your MCS. It does happen to N18's but it's very few that actually have a timing chain issue. You're always going to have breakdowns with timing chains, the true is for any other brand of car. My local dealer does about three timing chains a week, some of those must be related to those that don't check their oil enough and some not.

 

Oh I already know it's a possibility in the future but I'll take 150k miles if I keep it that long.

 

Updated the thread here Systemlord.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rror-code.html

Thanks

 

Thank you for the link!

 

Anybody ever hear of a HPFP seizing up the intake camshaft destroying the engine by valves hitting the pistons just like some vacuum pumps have done?

 

Does this picture of my spark plugs (3k miles on them) look lean to anyone? There are 2 plugs light tan on the electrode and inner porcelain area, the other 2 plugs are tan on electrode and grayish color on the inner porcelain area. Doesn't gray mean I'm lean?

 

I've been having cold start issues for a few weeks. I took to Detroit Tuned and at first they said the HPFP was ok, because they hooked the diagnostic computers up after I drove it in. However, I let it sit a a day at the shop and they did it while cold and the HPFP was out of spec. I thought it was CARBON buildup, but they checked for that and said it was fine.

I called MINI to make an appointment to get it fixed for free. Will MINI replace if it is only having issues during cold starts? I really don't want to pay $125 diagnostic fee since Detroit Tuned already diagnosed it.

 

It depends, just keep driving it till a CEL pops up. When my hpfp went out, it idled like crazy and then rumbled like a Subie exhaust. MINI might cover it but they didn't for my 2011 N18 unfortunately cause I had a "special part" which wasn't supposed to go out. I argued with them but they kept putting me through many different folks to speak to.

 

I have a CEL on now. It will go into LIMP mode in the morning probably 25% of the times....depending on how long it sits. When it goes into LIMP, I shut off and then restart and give gas.

 

If you have a good relationship with your SA, I'd just tell him/her just what you told us. Presumably you're driving around with that letter you got when MINI extended the warranty on the HPFP. I'd tell them it's out of spec when cold, and you think they should fix it.

If you DON'T have a good relationship with your SA, I feel for you. In that case, I'd just wait until it fails completely, shows a CEL, or goes into limp mode. Keep in mind, MINI probably won't pay to have it towed in, though, so you're risking that expense. Potentially other problems, too, like being far from the dealer on a Sunday night, stuck in rush hour traffic, or without power when you really need it, etc.

EDIT: Just saw your other post. If you're getting a CEL, that's in the history, so you should be covered.

 

Most Mini dealers must document the issue before submitting the claim to Mini USA, there are rules that must be followed. I know for a fact the my local Mini dealer wouldn't take the word of another tech not employed by a Mini dealership no matter their reputation.

 

That's certainly true, but the car's been thowing codes, and that would show up. That should be enough documentation, wouldn't you think?

 

If you are worried about losing $125 think about it this way, if mini decides to cover it then they'll refund you your $125. If they don't cover it then you're out of $125. I would take it to the dealer just to see what happens but be firm about them fixing it cause they might try to BS you.

 

My car stumbled and died as I pulled into the dealer for a free car wash. The SA said he'd bet money I had a HPFP issue. The diagnostic is, he said, $125, but if it is the HPFP the diagnostic would be waived and the pump replaced on warranty. I had about 90K on the clock at the time. It was the pump and it was swapped out for $0 in about an hour. And of course I got my wash.

 

If the relevant codes are stored in your ECU then that helps a lot. If you take it to the dealer beware they most often say you need the intake valves cleaned, don't let them BS you because your symptoms point to the classic "cold startup" problem. It would help if you already had the intake valves cleaned already and you never know it could be the pump inside the gas tank failing. Mini dealers should perform a test on both pumps to determine which pump is faulty.

 

Well, I'm taking mine in tomorrow to get it checked out. I just hope they check it out when it's COLD and not after I drove it in. I'm assuming that they are smart enough. I already had Detroit Tuned check in the intake, no carbon build-up. I'm 99% sure it's the Fuel Pump, so it was only pulling 1-1.50 BAR when it stumbles on start-up.

Also, MINI gives a free car wash....whenever you want?

 

Don't "hope" that they check it out when cold, TELL them you have a problem starting the car when cold, and make sure that's the way it's written up. Insist that it be tested that way or you won't pay a diagnostic fee. After all, how could they diagnose something if it's not the same conditions as when the problem occurs?