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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
We've had our R59 since 2014. These past weeks it has started to have some hesitation under load such as turning on a hill and pushing on the gas to go up. Or when needed to accelerate more quickly.
It's seems to do fine when accelerating more gently and progressively on flat roads.
I can't quite tell if it's only at lower speed. And with the automatic transmission it's hard to even tell what gear it's in and if it's always at the same gear.
Before I go to any shop I'm curious if there are obvious answers this crew might have? Perhaps it's something else, or there are checks I could do to better identify the problem?
The car has about 77k miles on the clock. N18 Cooper S with Auto transmission. So not that old miles wise.
I'm going to swap the spark plugs as soon as they get here next week. I don't think they have ever been changed (at least by me. Dealer might have in the past when we broke down a long while ago). It's cheap and easy to check off first.
I'm concerned it could be transmission problems (?)...
You really need to get the codes read to come up with any diagnosis. It really could be anything. Having said that, likely culprits would be bad plugs, bad fuel, failing high pressure fuel pump. However, don't start randomly changing parts, you will be throwing money away. Get the codes read by a reader capable of pulling BMW specific codes, and you will have a much better idea of what is going on and where to start.
You really need to get the codes read to come up with any diagnosis. It really could be anything. Having said that, likely culprits would be bad plugs, bad fuel, failing high pressure fuel pump. However, don't start randomly changing parts, you will be throwing money away. Get the codes read by a reader capable of pulling BMW specific codes, and you will have a much better idea of what is going on and where to start.
Agreed to see if you have thrown any codes. From symptoms it seems to be fuel or spark. On top of what Robbo said - fuel injectors and fuel filter have given me grief in past cars - but not the mini
Yes, in general I agree. I thought spark plugs are due anyway so not a bad maintenance item to do anyway...
I did check the codes and nothing really relevant to the issue popped up. Some of the usual occasional CAN fault, break lights and tire pressure faults. But these are for the most part communication fault. Nothing really related to engine or transmission.
I did read online about the fuel pump, or fuel distribution issues, could be a frequent issue on these cars.
Check the sticky wastegate on the turbo, they are know to do this then eventually throw codes. N18 turbos even got a recall for this. Feels like a hesitation on load.
HPFP is usually the culprit, and often acts this way before throwing a code ... but this is just historical ..
At least if the sparks plug don't work and I need to have it check I can give the shop some pointers!
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
Check the sticky wastegate on the turbo, they are know to do this then eventually throw codes. N18 turbos even got a recall for this. Feels like a hesitation on load.
Interesting... briefly looking online I'm not sure the R59 is under the recall and it seems its a 10yr 120k miles rules anyway so ours would be just outside that time frame :/
Shame I'm going to have to wait some more to test new spark plugs. Got a set individually packed in the OE box. They throw them in a USPS bag and guess what happened: one gets loose, out of the small box, directly in the bag which must have hit something really hard as the gap is now ridiculously small. I'm not going to take the risk to instal a possibly faulty spark plug. So now I'm waiting further for a replacment... Ha, life and it's little problems :p
Quick question: Are the N18 Cooper S engine used on other BMW cars?
My MINI dealer is a bit far from here. I'm also not sure I trust them for things beyond maintenance of easy repairs. I think they are more interested in selling cars then fixing them even though I typically prefer the guaranty that comes with the work they do :(
There is a dominently BMW shop not too far from me with what would seem to have a good mechanic so I'm thinking of taking it there. Hence my question!
I drove the car some more today and was able to assess that it's unlikely the tranny. Right know I am thinking ignition issues at this point. I try to push it just a little and that is when it seems to struggle. Not only that, I got some interesting pops which tells me gas is burning in the exhaust...
Of course my wife drive sit next and just sent me a picture of the check engine light so likely to see more codes now I imagine.
hopefully she can drive it back in one piece.
I'll change the plug today and will see if it helps. Otherwise I'm going to have to take it in I'm afraid...
Well . . . a bit soon to confirm but after an initial drive it seems changing the spark plugs have solved the issue.
I'll monitor it in the next few days but so far so good!
Here the number 1 cylinder spark plug vs a new one.
And the four old spark plugs. We can tell that number 1 which was noted in the codes is in the worst shape than the others.
oh and btw, I wonder if the dark area around the base of the ceramic, by the flange, would indicate a park plug internal failure to the point where cylinder compression gas would be reduced. possibly exacerbating further misfiring?
Number 1 plug tends to cop the most heat, and fails the most
It would seem! Good to know it's a common issue...
I had bought some new coils. I'm going to install them too since I have them. Though not that necessary, I've heard it's not a bad item to change as well to get the best performance refresh from the new plugs. When doing the work yourself they aren't that expensive as a long term maintenance item. At least that's how I justify it
I took the car for a drive today. It feels a bit more alive than before. No acceleration issue noted! I'm pretty satisfied It's not a major issue.
After 78k miles it's my warming to go get a transmission fluid changed when the weather gets nice again to avoid issues on that front
