Just got my car back a couple weeks ago from having the cold start rattle fixed, clutch pedal replaced and a full fuel system and carbon buildup cleaning.

During my drive home I was passing a car doing maybe 60 mph at low revs and got a nice little power drop. Looked at the tach and it was showing the lovely yellow check engine light. Of course I couldn't accelerate much at all and by the time I got to my exit it was backed up and the car, which now sounds like a lawn mower, is struggling to get up the hill. I think a lawn mower being pushed uphill by a geriatric patient would actually accelerate faster than my car in its current state. During the long wait and slow struggle up the hill, I notice a nasty super rich smell and clouds of white-ish smoke.

Worst part is, I need to be at work early tomorrow and MINI Roadside Assistance has two options. Pick up my car and leave it at the dealer, leaving me stranded, or wait until the dealer is open before picking me up. This means I'll be 15 miles further from work and will likely have a crap Enterprise Rental Car for a week again and will be two or more hours late for my morning meeting.

Will post the results later!

 

White smoke is really not a good thing to see. Its normally coolant related.

 

Sounds like it might be the head gasket...good luck!

 

This is what my first thought was. Had it towed this morning, we'll see what they have to say!

 

You though the head gasket was blown, but kept driving it anyways?

 

Honestly it'll be covered under warranty, so who cares? It was the Half Solid Yellow CEL, so the manual says I can keep driving.

In addition there is no place to stop on that section of freeway. I could block a lane, but that's pretty lame if my car can still run. Also when I pull off the freeway and have to wait in line to get past the couple light cycles, I can't exactly park my car there.

 

I think the real crime here is that you'll be two or more hours late, but it sounds like the meeting will still be going. How long is that damn meeting?!

 

Latest update: The dealer called and apparently one of the cylinders is dead. My SA couldn't elaborate, but they said they checked to see if I over-reved it and that was not the case. I'm guessing since they can't get anything out of the computer they'll proceed to tear it down.

If they end up replacing the block for whatever reason, is it standard practice to get a rebuilt block or a new one?

 

Bummer, let us know how it all works out.