Long post, so cliffnotes are : used SeaFoam through PCV, stalled engine, got Service Engine Soon light, disconnected battery, still have code after reconnect, Autozone scan = misfire/vacuum leak/ignition fault

So I have owned a used 2003 MCS for about 7 months now. I decided to go ahead and do the SeaFoam treatment as I did a similar (GM top end engine cleaner) on my 02 Camaro SS on a regular basis. So I am quite familiar with the process.

Anyway, I used the SeaFoam through the PCV and once I got close to the end of the can I poured it in fast to stall the engine (what I always did with my Camaro). I also decided to put SeaFoam in the gas tank to clean out the fuel system. Well I guess the MINI didnt like being stalled because after sitting for 20 minutes it wouldn't start. Tried really hard but wouldn't. About an hour later with attempts to start it about ever 10 mins it finally fired up and I got all the smoke and everything out the back. I drove it around keeping the rpms high to clean everything out but I had a Service Engine Soon light come on upon start up. I figured no biggie, it probably through a code for the misfires at the beginning or the vacuum leak from the PCV being off. Give it a few on/off cycles and drive it around the code will clear. Well its 900 miles later, code is still there. Did some research on here, decided to disconnect the battery. Left is disconnected for about 20 mins turned the car back on and the SES light never went out. Took it to Autozone to have them scan it. The codes it came up with are P0301 and P0313. P0301 = plugged or faulty fuel injector, vacuum leak, engine mechanical condition and P0313 = misfire with low fuel.

So my quesiton is what do I do now? Since I have already disconnected the battery and it didn't reset the code. I know that the engine is not misfiring, I have experience with engines and a 4 cyclinder misfire would be very noticeable.

Sorry it was so long just wanted to make sure I answered all the obvious questions first.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Brian

 

Sounds like the seafoam loosened up some residual deposits and one or more of your injectors is clogged. I'd pull the rail and have a look.

 

And what exactly would I be looking for? Do you have some instruction on how to take care of this?

BTW my gas mileage seems unaffected since I did the SeaFoam. Wouldn't a clogged injector = significantly lower gas mileage?

 

Had this same issue. Took it to my local garage. Reset the code and I was on my way. No issues. If it was a misfire, you'd know is how everyone explained that to me. (Also they looked into that, engine wasn't misfiring, SeaFoam just tends to throw off a few codes every now and then.)

 

Disconnecting the battery does not clear the error codes.
Just go back to Autozone and have them clear the codes using the scan tool.

 

Well I already asked Autozone and they said they can't clear the code because its against the law.

Just had a local mechanic on base clear the code for me. Everything is good to go now.

Thanks for the help guys,
Brian

 

really? it does on most other cars 15-30 minutes and the codes get wiped clean. In order for the battery clear to not work there would have to be a secondary battery with sufficient charge to last a long time or some kind of hard drive copying of the current information.

please explain to me if I am wrong here or how the MINI ECU is fundamentally different then other makes.

 

Google "flash"...or "non-volatile memory"...or "EEPROM"...it's like a hard-drive...just smaller...and quieter...and no moving parts...almost, but not quite, like magic...

 

blasted new fangled flangery

thank you for explaining did not realize they started incorporating thumb drive tech. That kind of stinks forcing more trips to the dealer. Time to get a good scan tool

 

The MINI ECU is not fundamentally different is this regard to most other cars manufactured since 1996. With some cars disconnecting the battery, then discharging the system by stepping on the brake etc. probably still does the trick.

I must admit that I guessed about whether disconnecting the battery will clear the trouble codes or not...but it's been so long since I drove a car where it did that I just assumed it won't.