I was finishing up an HPDE event this evening and noticed that a CEL'like light appeared on my tach display. Although it's not like a typical CEL. It's just a graphic of the engine with half of the graphic filled in and the other half not filled in. Never seen this one. The car runs fine but I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this one before I take it into the shop.

 

Easiest thing to do is read the codes.

 

Im sure its prob as simple as a loose wire from the rough track (if it was rough or hard on the car)

 

Does it look like this?

 

Yep, that's exactly what it looks like.

 

A hard day on the track can stress sensors on your MINI. The best thing to do is read the codes. If you don't have a scanner go to Advanced Auto or any other AP store and have them read them.
IF you notice a power change then you have a more serious issues possibly. So don't drive it hard until you have the codes to know why the light came on. Keep us posted.

 

Looks like the "reduced power, visit the dealer light" I had the same thing happen in my 2012 right as an interaction with an SRT8 got "interesting."

Read my codes using my laptop and they were all apparently fictitious, meaning the car had no idea why it decided on reduced power. Reset and no problems since including a track day at the BMW performance center.

Per above though, a simple code read is where you need to start. Could be anything from nothing to a lot more.

 

Sure enough the light didn't go away when I started the car this morning as I had hoped. I was able to drop it off at my repair shop and the verdict is the valve cover cracked. Don't know the how or why but would assume that the fact I compete in the car may have played a factor. I've asked that they hold on to the old cover so I can take it when I pick up the car. Thoughts anyone? Oh and THANKS for all the responses to this thread.

 

Just curious, do you have an OCC connected? Post some pics when you get it back please. What codes did it throw?

 

Sorry...occ? I have had the car tuned and it has a aftermarket downpipe/exhaust as well as a cai. Otherwise the car is stock.

 

OCC = Oil Catch Can. To help keep the oil out of the intake.

The hard running should not have caused the valve cover problem, unless something the cover was connected to was not flexing the way it should when the motor moved around under changing conditions.

Maybe if the motor was moving too much it could aggravate things? Check the condition of the motor mounts, in addition to any hoses and such attached to the valve cover.

 

Ahh, I should have got that one. No I do not have one. The track i was on is pretty twisty although it does incorporate an oval as well. The car does have 83000 miles on it as well. My mechanic said he does not see it very often.

 

What I find the most interesting about this subforum is that most often when you read about a problem on a car and the details come out, there is generally a modified car is involved. Depending on the tune I would not consider a tune a minor modification.

 

Sorry for my late response, I was autocrossing all day. The problem was actually due to a ring around a diaprhragm within the valve cover. That ring was what cracked, not the valve cover itself. I have the old part at home in the shop but haven't had the chance to investigate yet. It's my experience that these are delicate (but fun!) cars in general. Eventually I will retire to the Mini to only track duty and get something more durable for daily use.