2007 MCS 104,000
Engine replaced at 70,000

For the last week whenever the car is started when the engine is cold the engine stumbles around below idle and dies. The whole car shakes, like the engine is starved of fuel. While it's stumbling it does not respond to throttle input. After 2-3 attempts it will fire up and when warmed up drives normally. This start up problem does not occur if the engine is already warmed up. No CEL. Recently temps have dropped to under 40* at night.

What is this? Are these the symptoms of the fuel pump (HPFP) crapping out?

Has anyone had any luck getting the HPFP replaced under good will out of warranty. What is the out of pocket cost of repair?

Is the fuel pump replaced as part of a short block engine replacement? This car had the engine replaced about 34,000 miles ago under good will.

Thanks for any help.

 

Sounds like the high pressure fuel pump problems I had when mine was going out. I think MINI provided a extended warranty deal on these fuel pumps. See attached letter:


MINI USA
A division of
BMW Group Company

PO Box 1227
Westwood, NJ
07675-1227
Telephone
(866)ASK-M INI
(275-6464)
MINI

Dear MINI Owner:

MINI is committed to delivering complete and total product satisfaction to you, our
customer. Our interest in your vehicle doesn't stop with its sale; rather, it continues
throughout the vehicle's warranty period and beyond.

MINI USA has become aware of a potential problem that could affect the durability
of the high-pressure fuel pumps in select 2007,2008, and 2009 model year MINI
vehicles equipped with the N14 turbocharged engines. The Service Engine Soon
lamp may illuminate on affected vehicles, and drivers may experience reduced engine
performance.

While we estimate that only a small percentage of vehicles will develop a problem, MINI
USA will demonstrate the confidence we have in our product by extending the warranty
for the high-pressure fuel pump to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service
date, whichever comes first.

The emissions warranty extension for this component applies to your vehicle, and is
transferable to any subsequent purchaser of your car.

All terms and conditions of the Federal Emissions Defect Warranty, the Federal Emissions
Performance Warranty, and the California Emissions Warranty apply to the extended
warranty. Warranty coverage for all other parts is not affected. Warranty terms and
conditions can be found in your Service and Warranty information booklet.

In the event that your vehicle's high-pressure fuel pump exhibits the conditions outlined
above, please contact your nearest authorized MINI dealer to schedule an appointment.
Your MINI dealer has received a service information bulletin informing them of this
warranty extension.

Please be assured that we at MINI are totally committed to the highest standards of
product excellence and ownership experience, and we are determined to provide a level
of service that exceeds your expectations.

Should you have any questions, please call us at (866)ASK-MINI (275-6464).

Prefer email? Email us at: MINI.Assistance@ASKMINIUSA.com.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Very truly yours,
Your friends at MINI USA

 

Thanks for the extended warranty info. You're right, I found my letter in our paperwork.

I took the car to the dealer and described the problem. I also mentioned that the car had stalled a couple of times at traffic stops. I told them I suspected the HPFP.

The dealer performed the routine service I requested: oil and filter, carbon cleanout service (we do this every 10,000 miles).

The dealer said they found no problems with the HPFP. They cleared the codes, and said they "re-programmed" the computer, and pronounced the problem fixed. It wasn't the car still stalls when the engine is cold in the morning.

What is the definitive test of a HPFP going bad? Is there a specific malfunction code? If it's not the HPFP, what else causes this cold start stalling problem

I'm taking it back to the dealer but I wanted to armed with some info to give them a push in the right direction. My feeling is that it is a fuel related problem because feels like the engine is not getting enough fuel on start.

 

I believe you need a check engine light, or rather, needs to throw a code before they will warranty fix it. Sucks.. I mean you can try pushing for it but they can and likely will just brush it off saying theres no codes thus the part is fine. You know, just how all our timing chain tensioners are fine then suddenly engines are blowing up left and right...... yeeea

 

Sorry to revive an old thread, but did you ever figure out the issue? I have the exact same issues where the engine stalls one or twice on startup then drive fine after that. No cells or anything. My mechanic spent two months checking and swapping parts like HPFP, bypassing low pressure fuel pump, and checking the gas and he cannot find the issue. Any help is much appreciated!