I don't mean to thread jack but I figure I'll add on.


I have the exact same squealing, from the exact same spot. I've heard it inside and outside of the car...except that doesn't help much since I have my windows down most of the time.



And as far as the misfire(?) I have the same "jolt" just only when I'm decelerating, and yes, only in first gear (M1 or what I can tell is first gear in D) ..


Also having both issues checked out tomorrow.

 

I didn't experience #2 or #3 while driving home today...but I'll keep an ear out for it...

 

Those of you having the hesitation/jolt issue checked out, can you please update us on what the dealer said? Like I mentioned earlier, the loaner I got also did it so I had assumed it was normal but maybe it's not normal and the loaner was having the same problem? If it's a problem, I'd like to get it taken care of before it gets worse or leads to other problems. Thanks!!

 

I experienced something once when decelerating. It sputtered as if there was some kind of air leak some where. The car sounded like something out of a Star Wars film, is all I can describe it. It only did it once though. Haven't heard it since.

I'll post my updates tomorrow after I go to the dealer.

 

Let's not steer too far off track with this gas thing, but I have the non-S, and when I filled the gas last I checked inside the gas cap and it said recommended 89 minimum. I put in 93 just for S's & G's to see if that has any effect.

Also, I think I already said this but since I called the dealer to schedule an appt I haven't heard the whining. I let my car idle in the driveway for about 5-10 minutes last night after work and nothing. I could hear a faint high-pitched whine in the same area if I stuck my ear really close, but it was nothing like before. Still experiencing the cold start and hesitation though.

 

I've encountered the "jolt" in my 2011 MC ... around 2500, first gear. First gear from day one has always been a bit of a rough ride at times ... noticed it initially cruising parking lots in 1st.

Maybe the jolt is some electric snafu/programming error in the ECU/throttle. I mean if you can push a button (sports) and significantly change the way the car drives then maybe there's some bug in there from the factory ...

 

Did you notice any difference between the 89 and 93? I have about 2500 miles on mine and have run full tanks of 87, 89, and 93. I saw no difference in the way the car performed and no significantly measurable difference in MPG.

One thing I've noticed is that the hesitation doesn't happen all the time, but I think it has happened with every grade of gas although I'm not 100% sure about this. I'm starting to wonder if maybe the actual brand of gas might have anything to do with it. I haven't gone as far as to make a note of what brand of gas is in the car when it does it. Might be the next step.

 

Im not saying you're wrong to put in 87, just pointing out that what the user manual recommends. Ive only gone 40 miles or so since my 93 fill. I will let you know if I notice any diff.

 

I just dropped my MINI off with
- #2 and #3
- Grille piece being replaced (wasn't installed correctly out of the factory)
- Windshield washer jets leaking excessively

I also complained to them about the seatbelt holders I bought... useless pieces of plastic, those things rocket off and to the front of the car as soon as you grab the belt.


Keeler MINI and MINIUSA probably hate hearing about my name, pretty sure everyone at Keeler knows my name now =P

 

Problem #2 = Water Pump
Problem #3 (or my interpretation of it) = Normal?

 

Thanks for the update, NavyNUKE.

Are they going to replace the Water Pump?

 

So my diagnosis from MINI is - cannot reproduce operating as designed... don't know why I expected anything else. They never seem to find anything wrong until the 3 or 4th time I bring it in... we'll see...

 

On your next fill (93) try putting in the Techron ,let it run down to about 1/3 of a tank if nothing else it will clean the combustion chamber and valves.I swear by it as I have had no issues with hesitation.

 

No I didn't get my car checked out but...from what I noticed I have the same jarring feeling with first gear. Whether it be manually shifting or automatic shifting the car seems to have a jerk when braking/downshifting into first.

 

Water pump has already been replaced.

 

I'm not sure if the jerking motion when downshifting to 1st gear on the auto trans is all that unusual while the car is in motion. My MINI does it and I just don't go down further than 2nd gear while the car is moving. Then when stopped, I select 1st gear. I personally don't expect much from a traditional torque-converter slush box. Can't wait until I switch back to a manual later this year.

 

Just got back from the dealership. They didn't find anything, which I figured since my car hasn't been making that noise. They said the hesitation could be due to bad gas? Then explained to me the tanker drop-off philosophy where when a gas station gets more gas dropped off it stirs up all the particles and dirt in the tanks at the gas stations. Then they told me to get Sunoco 91 at my next fill-up along with a gas treatment. :it is a mystery:

 

Oh man. That sucks. But I can't really say I believe the tanker drop-off story. If that's really the case, then there would be more stories about this, not just Mini's.

 

That is BS. They have all kinds of filters in the tanks and in the pumps. Ever notice sometimes that the pump is going slow? That is because the filter needs to be replaced.

 

Yep ... the "bad gas" diag is their stock "we don't know what's wrong, leave us alone" answer.