could it be vapor lock? this happened on my truck when i over filled my gas tank...

 

It would do all the things we are talking about? Especially the warm start part.

How do you fix that?

 

Sorry, that is again a weak argument. E10 blends have been used by various gas stations in the United States since the 1980s. On top of that, it's required in ten states. So, tell me... is MINI going to stop selling them in those states because it's required there? Go here for more info on E10: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E10_fuel. Go here for the states that use E10 (whether required or optional): http://www.ethanol.org/index.php?id=79&parentid=26.

You can also reference this thread about ethanol: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-ethanol.html. I forgot ethanol use has been around since the 1950s.

 

So,everyone here having this problem using 91 + grade gas and their cars are not running right or not at all seems like a red flag should be thrown.I don't have this problem yet on my '07 MCS automatic but I'm certainly aware of what could potetially happen.I have been using techron plus every 3000 miles or so maybe thats helped,who knows.So far I've never had an idiot light and I have approx. 46,000 mi.I We all know that these cars cannot be neglected in their maintenance,because they're not cheap cars by any means.I hope Mini has a resolve for this because it certanly is'nt an isolated problem.

 

It's sounding more and more to me like a recent uptick in the number of newly built cars with this problem. I'd really like them to figure out what the problem is.
Update: They are re-programming my Violet to see if that works. I hope it does. I don't want to have to give her back.

 

Agreed, but it seems like most of the people in this thread and another have brand spanking new MINI's that are having problems. We haven't even hit 3000 yet. I'm only at 1300.

 

I had my first start/stall issue at less than 200 miles!

 

I really hope it works for you. It did for me for maybe a week. Now it just seems like I am having the same problem, just not as bad yet. like I have said before, it'll mostly just sputter and want to stall when started after already being driven and warmed up and usually evens out, but every couple days it will stall, but then start the next time.

 

Same here. I had my MINI for 3-4 days before I had to take it in. But I do clearly remember it happening the very first day I had it. But at the time I didn't realize it was the car with the problem because I wasn't familiar with the way the car sounded, I thought I just didn't hold the button long enough or something.

 

They replaced my fuel pump after I had it for a week. I don't remember the mileage but it was quite low. I'm at roughly 1600 miles and I feel like most of those were driving back and forth to the dealership.

This really is just so sad isn't it?

 

Very.

 

Man, this makes my problems seem smaller (though still lame). I hope you guys and MINI as a company sort this stuff out...would be nice to see their reliability ratings actually get good!

I feel for all of you -- do NOT let them give you the bad gas excuse, and always remember the lemon law. A new car, especially, should not have these problems; if it does have them repeatedly then you bet your **** MINI should replace the entire car for free or give you a full refund for having such lackluster quality control and parts quality. I wish the best for you cats!

 

Violet is back home after her being thoroughly checked, prodded and re-programmed. I will follow up as to whether or not this has worked. My fingers are crossed.

Edited to add: My dealership has been really good about it all. A service person has called every day to update me and my MA has been really supportive. I like them there. But I don't want to have to bring her back in except for regular service.

 

First of all, thanks for all the postings which gave me a pretty good idea about the warm stalling problem and possible resolution but made me worried as it apparently has not been resolved completely. This warm stalling problem has happened to me on two brand new MCSa within last 10 days. The first one had 15 miles on it and it happened when I was ready to drive off the dealder's parking lot after signing all the papers. The dealer gave me an identical one from the inventory with 10 miles on. This one stalled on me three days ago. I made an appoinment to bring it in on Tuesday next week (they do not have loaner available until then). One thing I did when it was losing RPM after started was pushing the gas pedal a little bit to bring RPM up and then it ran OK. I will keep everyone posted. By the way, I love drving my MINI so far and I hope this feeling will not be changed.
p.s. Does MINI not have enough cases to do something about it or has MINI done something that I am not aware of?

 

Well to update my posting about my CEL coming on with no codes and getting rough idling on cold starts, the night before I was due to take SJ into the dealers for the CEL, I received a letter from MINIUSA stating that it was reported that 'some' N4 engines were having problems with the HPFI pump causing the problems described in previous posts and that if I was having this problem to make an appointment with the dealer to have it replaced. Not only that, MINIUSA has now extended the warrenty on the pump to 10 years AND it is transferable to a new owner!

I drove into the service bay the next morning and I was met by the (now) familar face of the Service Manager, I explained the problems SJ was experiencing and mentioned the letter from MINI (I had brought it with me, but I was keeping as a hole card) and stated that the problems sure sounded like the HPFI pump was a likely cause. He blandly smiled and escorted me to the customers lounge and gave me a FREE cup of coffee (like paying this much for a car doesn't rate one normally). 2 1/2 hours later (I had a tire rotation and rebalancing done also + I took advantage of the 'free' car wash service) I had a new fuel pump, no check engine light/nag tone and SJ is running like her old self!

So I would reccomend anyone having these problems keep checking thier mailbox for the letter from MINIUSA because it sure seemed to grease the skids with Crown MINI.

 

Where are you located?
I'm taking mine in on Monday (had to wait a few weeks for the same reason as you...no loaners available).
I wish I knew how many cases there are. My dealership told me they never heard of it before

 

Western suburb of Chicago.
Additional note: Everyone at the dealer shook their heads including technician as if they've never seen or heard it before when the first one died right in front of their sales office. I hope I am dealing with truthful people. I can deal with ugly truth but not liers.

 

Anyone care to update on the status of their services?
Here's mine-
Just a reminder: My car's been in the shop 3 times. First time, they replaced the HPFP. Second time, couldn't duplicate problem. Third time, tested gas, checked wiring, re-programmed. It's been just over a week and so far, so good. Will keep updating with progress.

 

I was wondering if there were any updates as well.....
I'm bringing mine in on Monday, so I'll report then.

Sekhmet101...glad to hear its going well so far for you.

 

a reprogram is the case for most if they are replacing parts they are not looking at what others mini dealers have done to fix the problem. mine did it from the day we picked it up and since the reprogram have had no problems. i think it has been 3 months or so now. good luck

 

I haven't taken mine in yet. For the next 3 weeks I really need to have MY car, I Am in the middle of moving, and am going to have to drive to Ohio from Virginia and back a couple of times. I can't afford to let the dealership have it for a week or so right now and probably say they can't duplicate it. Once I get settled back in Ohio, I will take it to a dealership up there. So, I am just hoping that even though it still has the warm start issues of stalling and sputtering, that it will at least start up after a try or two for now. Plus I am not getting any warning icons.

 

Don't let it go too long as it will get worse and eventually won't start at all. As I stated earlier I really think the Techron Plus I have been adding has helped with the gas issue.Using 93 octane and Techron I sometimes don't even know my engine is running it's that smooth.I hope that the reprogramming will help everyone here with the warm/cold start.Theses cars are amazing and when running great they will give you miles of fun.....

 

Unless that dealership has only been open a few weeks they are lying to you. Im sure they are being directed by BMW/MINI to down play the problem, but there is no way they have not seen a HPFP failure many many times.

 

Got our '10 MCS today, drove the car home (<20miles), parked it, went to drive it after 10 min and the car stalled out twice before catching the dying idle the 3rd time. Was able to reproduce the problems 3 times in a row. Did a search on Google on hot start issues and took me to this thread. Sucks that this has to be my first post on the forum. Will take the car back to the dealership next week for an IRAP and see how it goes after that. But loving how the car drives so far, hopefully the reprogram will square things away.

 

Make sure you take it in on Monday if you can. I took mine on a Wednesday and didn't get it back till Tuesday. Unless your people are better than mine and they think of reprogramming first instead of last, even when that is what I mentioned to them when I took it in.