Preview Help!!!
My 2005 standard mini has a problem. It is hard starting. I have pumped the gas peddle a few times and after a while I let it sit and then it starts. But the engine boggs going up hill and on level ground it wouldn't go above 25mph in the morning. I pulled over and reved the engine some and then it seemed okay and made it to work. After work, it was hard starting, pumped the gas again a few times let it sit and then it started. Takes about five minutes to start. No engine bogging going home. I asked a question on one of those car sites and was told it is the Mass Air Intake. Okay but BMW wants almost $300.00 for it and I am not certain that is the problem.

Any ideas?

Maybe another option is to chage over to a high performance air filter system, would that get rid of the Mass Air Intake?

Any help would be great! Thank you.

 

i had a new '95 ford probe once long ago (yeah yeah yeah, i liked it though) and occasionally i would have a lot of trouble starting the car (almost seemed like the car was out of gas or had water in the gas, which is another problem i had long ago with a ford escort). after getting it started, seemed to run fine though. finally took the probe to the dealer and they told me it was the MAF and it needed to be replaced. i traded the car in right after, so i can't say what happened after getting the MAF fixed, but it seems plausible your problem might be with the MAF.

 

Thank you for the reply, we'll see what happens this weekend as I work on her.

 

it has a T-MAP sensor that measures intake manifold temp and pressure and runs the car using something called a "speed/density" system. There are lots of potential areas for problems... Are there any codes (check engine light)?

Pumping the gas does nothing when the car isn't running, as it's an e-gas pedal and just sweeps a voltage (two of them, actually) to the ECU. It's not the problem, as the two voltages are compared against each other to make sure everything is OK. The throttle body has two position sensors as well.

Best place to check is the T-MAP sensor, but really, to nail this one you have to have some decent diagnostics (OBD data loggers/display stuff should be enough).

If this isn't something you're comfortable doing, or don't have some buddies in a local club that can help, I'm guessing that you're destined for a shop visit. If you're out of warranty, find a non-dealer that does Minis, and you'll probably pay a lower hourly rate for the work.

Matt

 

Thank you, everyone I have spoke with have mentioned the T-MAP. Yes there are no codes showing. I purchased a T-MAP today so we'll see if it fixes the problem if not then it's too the shop. Thanks again.

 

Well, the car wouldn't start yesterday or today at all, so I purchased the T-MAP but it still doesn't start. Guess I'll tow it somewhere.

 

Just wanted everyone to know the problem with my car turned out to be the Fuel pump and cost me $1,100.00 here in Hawaii parts and labor.

 

Now I understand why no codes... There's no fuel pressure sensor on the car.

Matt

 

My first guess would have been the pump and or fuel filter since you did not have any codes,
I always look for the simply things first

 

we really do have to come together with places that have lifts , mechanics available etc .

 

That is what's bad about living in a Condo and they do not allow us to work on our own cars. So hopefully I can move next year into a single home.