I have a couple of elusive problems with my 2004 Mini Cooper S and hope that some readers can help. So here goes:

Problem #1: An intermittent problem where I'm driving along and suddenly I lose about 75% power and the traction control light comes on. I pull over, turn off the engine, and restart, and everything seems fine.

Background: This happened once about six weeks ago;. Then a few weeks later it seemed to happen again, but this time the engine was sputtering a lot and the problem would not go away when stopping and restarting the engine. My mechanic (independent BMW/European car mechanic) found a faulty ECM and replaced that, along with the ignition coil, spark plugs, spark plug wires. I also needed a battery so that was replaced too. After that the car ran well for several weeks. Then last week the initial problem recurred - loss of power, traction control light, fixing by stopping and restarting the engine. I don't have the faults codes from the initial round of occurrences, but this last time the mechanic found the following two communication faults in the DSC control unit: FC 5E14, and 5E19 - CAN data error. The mechanic writes:

"Shop tested car for four days, and was unable to duplicate failure. Technician reinitialized steering angle sensor, and checked applicable fuses/relays. Since no other controllers are registering any CAN data faults, it is likely that the ABS/DSC control unit is experiencing intermittent failure."

Problem #2: There is a strange noise occurring only when the car is thoroughly warmed up and then gets to 70mph or more on the freeway. It is difficult to describe the noise, but sometimes it sounds like a gurgling. Sometimes it sounds like rattling. And still other times it sounds like the pinging noise an engine makes when detonation is occurring. (You know - like ping pong ***** under the hood.) Note that it is always the same noise but it's just tough to describe what it sounds like. The noise seems to be coming from behind the drivers side (on the left, in case any Brits or Aussies are reading ) a/c vent. I am reasonably confident it is not detonation because the noise occurs even if I unload the engine by lifting my foot off the accelerator, or pushing in the clutch, or even putting the car in neutral and coasting at 70mph. So the noise happens based on VEHICLE speed - not engine speed. Once the noise starts, even dropping below 70mph it will still occur, all the way down to about 60mph. If the car were a really old car I might say it was a speedometer cable. Also, it has nothing to do with the HVAC. The noise occurs whether it is on or off. BTW, I ALWAYS USE 91 OCTANE GASOLINE, in case anyone wonders.

I mention the second problem here because I don't know if there is any connection to the first problem.

I look forward to the many insights and pearls of advice that are about to rain down on me.

Thanks.

Mark

 

Mine does something similar,but mine is also ingesting water into the oil.The gurgling may be low coolant level and your hearing it in the heater core.Mine is also getting water into the #2 plug hole because the water is in the valve cover and seaping through the plug wire boot,thus getting into the plug hole.This may be a part of your problem,but it seems as though there are more serious issues at hand.Keep us posted!

 

bmdouble:

Thanks for your response. I thought about low coolant level or the coolant system needing to be bled, but because the noise is not related to engine speed I find it difficult to imagine that that is the issue.