2 days ago, I started my '09 Clubman S up and the check engine light came on. It ran rough for a couple of seconds and then was fine, but every time the RPM's dropped to idle, the CEL came on. I took it to the dealer this am and they want $865 for a new intake manifold. WHAT!! The car is 2 years old and, granted it has 59k on it, but there is no way that it should need a new intake manifold. The customer service rep has called the AMM and is working to get some help on the price, but I told her that there is no way this car should need the repair this soon and that I wouldn't be happy with anything less than no charge. And obtw, it needs a new throttle valve actuator to go along with the intake manifold. UGGGG

 

Has the dealer told you why you need a new intake? My guess would be it's cracked somewhere. If they aren't going to cover it under warrenty, consider removing it from the vehicle yourself and taking it to a good machine shop that can repair it. They should be able to make it as good or better then new.

You may still have to spring for the TB actuator.

-Craig

 

If it is cracked it would have to be plastic welded as the manifold is plastic. I am not too sure of many places that do that much work in plastics but maybe a body shop would use that tool to repair interior panels?

 

Well, Mini of Omaha came through for me. They replaced the intake manifold free of charge as a goodwill assist. I didn't have to make much of a fuss to get it either. Kim, the rep there was fantastic and did a great job getting it taken care of. I am still concerned that an intake manifold would have to be replaced. They said it was "freezing up", no mention of it being cracked. They replaced the throttle valve actuator for free as well and made it sound like it was a part of the system and couldn't be replaced separately. I would appreciate any insight into whether this is true or not. Great job MINI of Omaha.
Vince

 

It's a known problem with Cooper S. Ice forms in the intake manifold and you have to get the new version that prevents that..

 

Yes, MINIxB is correct. It's been a well-known issue for some time -- first documented case I can find here on NAM is from January 2008.

Gee, I figured that by now there would have been a wholesale change to the manifold design implemented on the factory assembly line. I'm surprised an '09 Clubman still had the old design susceptible to the throttle body freezing. Maybe it was an early year build date before the problem was sufficiently socialized.

 

Looks like they updated the intake manifold in November and then again in December of 2008. If I remember correctly, fab of 2009 models was started in August or September of that year.

 

My MCS hardtop 2009 had the same issue a mere 3 weeks after I got it. After the manifold replacement, no more issues of this type.

 

Sorry to bump such an old thread but I believe this is what happened to me this morning in my '10 MCS.

It's about -7 F outside so it started a little slow, but started nontheless. Once started the idle was erratic and the car was essentially in limp mode - it wouldn't go over 25 mph.

I called Mini and they suggested that ice had formed inside the manifold and it would have to thaw out. I drove around for 15 minutes to no avail. Popped the hood after parked, disconnected and connected various sensors (in case they had frozen) and giggled around the MAF and the problem went away (probably dumb luck). Check engine still on, as to be expected.

Has anyone else had this issue with the presumably "fixed" manifolds?

 

No problem after the "fix" on my '09 MCCS....it was like night and day....

 

I had one of the documented 2007 R56s, moisture catch can, revised intake, etc. the revised parts worked well. Before that, For my commute, it would take a day or two when it never got above zero for the problem to appear, and a short drive 1 mile would warm up enough to allow a proper restart.

My 2012 JCW R58 started having this problem week with the old issue, this time the revised intake must be in a area that doesn't get as warm as it takes 30 minutes or more to thaw out the ice plug and get normal operation. Most of you are not seeing the minus -20 temps, but just keeping the car warm at night or warming up the car a bit is all that is needed. Confirmed the issue with the dealer, they had another newer victim in the shop. Perhaps the JCW inter cooler routes the intake differently

 

The cold climate version intake is talked about here and what it looks like:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...different.html




Since we have the sub arctic cold in the north here recently it seems the cold climate has moved further south.

 

Is it possible to get just the plastic connector that mates up the vac lines to the valve cover? mine broke :( and I've been running the non-cold weather breather tube with the revised tube capped off.

 

Hello,

I believe you are talking about the connector tubes that run on the intake manifold. There is no separate part number for those sections. Its one unit from MINI. Can you point to the picture of exactly the piece or a picture of that piece, I can try to dig through the MINI similar parts and find a solution for you.

Thanks

 

 

The only thing I could find is the vent hose which has a similar cap connection.

Thanks for the pics and diagram, that helped narrow it down.



Vent Hose Part # 11157605186


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11157605186/




Thanks

 

I've got an '08 clubman S and I've now had the cold weather throttle/manifold problem 4 times this winter (in Ottawa Canada). I had it a few times last winter too. I basically need to drive the car in limp mode for 15-30 minutes, then park and turn the engine off for 5-10 minutes and restart a few times until it is no longer in limp mode. Of course the problems only started after I was out of warranty plus I was not the original owner so had not chance to try to get a warranty fix. So far I've just been living with it, but today I went to the dealer (got there in limp mode as they are now just down the road). The service guy admitted that yes the Mini's had that problem and he was quite familiar with the issue. He said though that a new manifold was no guarantee that this problem would not re-occur and furthermore that all cars could have this problem in cold weather!! (what BS that is). He said he'd check the parts and labour cost, discuss it with his manager and see what they could do for me, so I took a seat for a few minutes. He then called me back to his booth and gave me a printout of the only manifold available for my VIN (11 61 7 595 078) ($575) and said there was no redesigned manifold available for my VIN (TP71650 MM33) ! How can this be?? Basically he said there was no solution other than opening it up, drying out the throttle, etc.
How can that be?
Have other people here received a replacement "cold weather manifold" (either in or out of warranty) for an '08 Clubman? What is the part number?
These cars are a piece of crap. I'm going to have to engineer my solution, or put a heater in the hood overnight when I'm parked at home and I know it will be under -15C, or probably I'll just sell the car this Spring.

 

Can these be installed easily? Any good install instructions? I have the same issue on my 07 MCS. The dealer wants like $600+, the local shops wants like $450 (MINI charges $313 for the part).

 

I'm looking into it. Also see thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4033030


where someone sent me a link for the part at $265

 

11614584240 That's the cold weather part Cooper S N14. Moisture from short runs ( start and stop ) and oil from the valve cover PVC system then collects on the intake throttle body and when super cold gums up and can crystallize. See this every year when we have sub zero temps. Sometimes it does not get cold enough here in the states.

Either get the Cold weather intake above 11614584240 , which sends the valve cover air right before the cylinder. Or clean out your old one, which you will have to pop it off and the throttle body.

Stock intake Cooper S N14 N18 11617595078



The TIB number is also on that linked page with info. Diagram shows you the hardware and locations. That line above 11157605186 when you have the cold weather intake is removed. as the cold weather has the new version already installed. Just re-clips into that left side( passenger ) valve cover port.

Thats all the info I have.

 

That's very helpful. I guess we were just wondering how difficult a manifold replacement is in general.


I do see some info here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ld-spacer.html (post #17)


on how to remove the manifold (in this case to install a spacer) with a detailed Google document set of instructions.

 

You are welcome. That's all the info I have.

 

Have a 2009 Mini Cooper S hardtop, purchased new in Nov 2008. Got this problem literally a week after getting the car! Talk about Buyer's Remorse! I found out about the manifold issue from forums like these. Took it to the dealer and got the "redesigned" manifold and have never had the problem again.

So sorry to hear you're having this issue and that it's out of warranty. Maybe a capable after-market shop can do it cheaper? GOOD LUCK!

 

Does this problem happen to justa models ? wife had something similar happen today minus 20 celsius

 

Never seen it much on the Justa. Seen it more on the Cooper S . Don't think this will fit a Justa , the airbox mount and config is different.