my GP now exhibits this problem as well. a blip on the gas keeps the rpms from dropping too low but it's semi-embarassing for this performance car to nearly stall every morning.

 

I've had my 2006 MC back to the dealership 3 times for this issue. The first time they reset the ECU - worked for about a week. The second time they had me switch gasoline brands - no change. This time they are telling me they cannot recreate the issues I'm describing and that they cannot find anything wrong with the car!

I am supposed to head up to the dealership again today to go and start the car up with a tech in an attempt to recreate the problem.

Specifically, I am experiencing the following:
* After the car has been sitting for a long time (5+ hours)...
1) I start the car (it hits pretty hard as the engine turns) and proceed to drive about 100 yards before coming to a stop sign. I come to a stop with the clutch pushed in. The egine begins to sputter, the RPMs jump up and then drop down (500 or so) and the car feels like it will stall out. I can either give it some gas and things level out a bit or wait out the sputtering. During this time there are no warning lights coming on at all...
2) I start to drive again but my acceleration is uneven and the RPMs do not increase in a fluid manner as I accelerate. They don't necessarily drop, but they migh not increase even though I am giving the car gas.
3) All of these symptoms stop after a short bit of driving. Typically less than a mile, probably about 1/2 mile or so. The car drives like a dream after that.

Has anybody had luck re-creating these issues when the car is in for service? My service advisor has no next steps for me to take if I can't get the issue to repeat when I go up there today. He just says there is nothing wrong with the car. I'm worried about the car stalling out when pulling into traffic - isn't that a big safety concern for MINI? I've been reading through this thread for a while now but I haven't seen much in the way of a resolution for the issue. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I think you have a nice, concise description that describes my symptoms also(2006 MCS Automatic). Except that I have actually gotten into a no-power mode twice while driving (I think this has been previousle described as some sort of self-imposed, self-protection operating mode). CEL light goes on, no power, RPMs can go high but car goes slow. CEL clears out in a few starts. I also notice that the car needs to crank for a more time than it did before having this problem (maybe 2-3-4 times longer).

I too have been thinking about how to get the dealer to recreate the problem. My idea was that the dealer needs to have the car sit overnight and start it when it is cool outside. (The problem seems more prevalent when it is cooler rather than hotter ambient temperatures). Or maybe keeping the mini in an air-conditioned area might help, or even accelerate your 5+ hour wait. Also, the problem seems to be more prevalent if I accelerate quickly to that first 100 yard stop sign, and then brake rapidly, so the engine has to make a more harsh change in rpms. Maybe someone else can try these kinds of experiments to see if we can gather more specifics on the problem.
I wonder if any of the service guys actually own minis??? If it was their car that had the problem, I bet they would figure out how to fix it toot-sweet.

 

Wow guys, my car, ('06 MCS slushbox) is at the dealer overnight for the same issue, almost exactly as percussionist describes it.

Four times in last six weeks: I leave it sitting at work all day, in the hot sun. I'm driving home, light start and stop traffic, varied RPMs, traffic lights, gear changes, braking. The next thing you know check engine and (traction off?) lights are on, (never touched the toggle), and it appears to be limp mode, and the exhaust note (I have an Invidia) is anemic and odd.

MINI had the car today, unable to create the problem. Going to try it tomorrow. Unlikely it will happen, as I said, it's about 1 in 10 times that it does it and always on the drive home from work, never on the many enthusiastic trips I make on the weekends for several hundred miles with a couple MINI clubs.

I buy the same gas, from the same place, 93 octane, and run it in the '06 Lexus and the '02 Tacoma, too, without problems. This just started a while ago, and long after the CAI and exhaust went on.

I hate to say it, but there might be a 1 series, (fire to frying pan?) or S2000 or something in my future if this persists. I've actually held off on the pulley mod and window tint b/c I'm thinking MINICHI may have to go! I am convinced, like my '99 SAAB Viggen, I won't keep this one a day or mile out of warranty--unless I start tracking it--hmmm.

Good luck to all with this issue, I don't expect we'll get any relief any time soon. I will say my dealership, (Hendrick's) is fantastic, the service team is top notch, and I don't fault them a bit.

 

my 04 MCS has only 43k on it and I deive it daily.. it will randomly do this... but I have noticed something else that I think goes along with it is I have a squeak at idle coming from the trunk... I would have to say it is the fuel pump since there is nothing else that has any moving parts back there when the car itself is not moving... but after this squeaking thing it will some times idle rough.. I dunno what it is... its seems to be a fuel shortage issue though at start up and at that time after it sqeaks...

 

IS it name brand gas? Even though it might say 93, if you're buying from cheapstation#2, it could very likely be a bit different! It definelty helps if you only buy Teir1 gas. (Chevron, Shell, Texaco) No Exxon, they are eeeeeviL!

 

It's a place called Gate, they're national, out of Jax, FL, USA. I thought they were a national chain, but maybe they're a franchise and that's the issue? I go there b/c a) close to house, b) new brushless carwash. I would never go to a 2nd rate place, for the reasons you describe--at least not on purpose!

Maybe I'll go back to the Texaco I used to frequent before this place opened and see if it effects this situation. Will post later if I have any interesting results.

 

IMHO, gasoline is the scapegoat for this problem. Many of us have tried changing brands and it only helps at the statistically random and/or temporary level. And I doubt that the cause is ethanol in the gas. What's the reasoning, where's the proof, that fuel and/or ethanol is the cause? Distillation of the ethanol as it boils during the heat soak after shut down? I don't mean to totally discount everyone's fuel/ethanol argument, but at least offer up some technical and/or armchair theories.

BTW, there are many parts of the US, where ethanol mandated is mandated at certain times of the year. And as going 'green' gains momentum, ethanol use will only increase. If indeed ethanol/fuel is the culprit, then a fix/workaround needs to be developed.

IMHO-II, the problem is a software/sensor/engine management issue.

-Barry

 

I also have this problem on my '04 MC. After its been sitting, start it up, wait a few seconds, then about the time I go to put it in gear it starts stumbling for about 10 seconds or so. Its frustrating. I need ot go to the dealer for a couple warranty items, and this is definately on that list.

My '99 M Roadster has a terrible startup problem and thats well documented amoung the Z3s.

I am in Jax too. Gate is owned by our former Mayor Peyton (or at least its his family). Headquarters is on San Jose Blvd. I don't think its national, but not sure. Not sure who they get their gas from.

I try to use Shell VPower as much as possible. TopTier gas all the way.

 

I thought I'd post an update on my recent experiences...

I went up to my dealer who had already had the car for a couple of days and were unable to re-create the symptoms. I drove the car with a tech but of course the car worked fine. The tech told me that he had reset the ECU already though. I ended up taking the car home that night, but I was still worried about the safety issues. I offered to video-tape the tach a few mornings so the tech could see the RPMs moving all over the place and hopefully hear what was happening as well.

I just got my camera ready today so I'm going to start taping this weekend. The car has exhibited the symptoms I originally described every morning since I brought the car back from the dealership. Here's hoping the video provides enough proof that something is happening the techs can actually do something about it!

 

I had horrible problems with the idle on my first MC. It was in 7 times for the same issue, very dangerous because it would stumble and nearly stall in mid-traffic, sometimes crossing busy intersections. The "we cannot duplicate" is an established, set response to problems like this that the technicians cannot resolve. It is part of the "playbook" they use when dealing with ECU issues.

 

Next installment: Dealer had it for two days, couldn't recreate, however, they want it back to try again.

It happened to me yesterday! Car had sat overnight, started with air on, .5 miles down road, I took off traction control to do some spirited driving, about another .5 miles and it happened, limped along to stop light, turned car off and back on, same issue. Turned air off, then car off and on, only service engine light on, and problem is gone. Throughout the day, car was on and off without the problem and the check engine light remained on.

Goes back to the dealer on Wed. Again, my dealer is being really good about this, giving me a loaner, being apologetic, seem to be geniunely interested in being the first to actually diagnose it!

 

hmmm.

 

I'm suprised that no one has suggested a little dose of fuel-injector cleaner. When I began motoring my second-hander, I had the same problem, but without the cold weather (Hawaii). Figured it was the fuel the previous owner was using so I immediately picked up a bottle of Chevron's FI cleaner w/Techron and haven't had the problem since, turns over like a startled guard dog!
Woof Woof grrrrrrrrrr, or something like that.

 

Been there, done that... I put in a bottle of injector cleaner right before every oil change [~5K miles] and the problem is still intermittently occurring in my '05 MCS...

-Barry

 

I have an 02 MCS and i get the same issues. Random onset, random RPM range fluctuations. car will go into "Limp mode" with the EML sometimes, others it will work normally just light up like a christmas tree. Humidity seems to be the only factor that increases the frequency, but i cannot say that with more than 30% certainty because i cant document it.

 

I've suggested this atleast 3 times in this tread.

My MCS sat for 3 weeks, and then started with the stumble after start AGAIN... a round of Techron cleaner and we are all good AGAIN...

Another time, I was forced to buy some crap fuel on a road trip. Stumble started AGAIN. Used some Techron cleaner... and we are all good AGAIN...

Make sure you use the large bottle, I've found that the smaller one doesnt work as well.

 

Hi-I've had my Mini for 3 months/5200 miles and last week I backed out of the driveway, put it in 1st and she sputtered. The engine light came on.
Mini could not find the problem and concluded it was 'bad gas'.

 

Apparently I've got bad gas, too. ;-) They recommended a few, although I'm running this gas in two other vehicles with no problems and ran it in two others prior with no issues. I'll go buy some fuel injector cleaner--it can't hurt.

The only diagnostics thrown is me hitting the rev limiter once in a while--it happens, okay? ;-) They had the car for a few days, drove it day and night, let it sit, etc. - nothing, so it came back home.

I can't say enough good things about my service dept, they were on their game, gave me loaners, lightly detailed my car each visit, this is just a weird ghost in the machine...

I'll quit posting as I have nothing more to contribute. Good luck with it, all.

 

Same problem here... Starts fine then a few seconds later, stalls with a rumble.. Starts right up afterwards like nothing happened..

 

Hi, I read through a bunch of your posts and Im glad Im not alone. My husband accuses me of driving a stick badly, says the car never stalls when he drives it... I notice especially lately that it seems my clutch is going out that the car has poor performance compared to a year ago when I bought it. I didnt know if the two are related. It lags seriously at startup and stalls all the time. Mostly in traffic or leaving from a red light. Well I have an 03 MCS all stock, I use 91 octane every time. And sometimes (and seems to be getting worse) when the car has sat (i havnt drove a lot lately because of clutch) it takes several cranks before even starting.

 

Said I wouldn't be back to bug you but I can't resist! It happened again this a.m. and I was able to record the conditions.

[FONT=Arial]Car sat 15 hours in garage, ambient temp 82 degrees, started with air and traction control on and driven 1 mile when it occurred. In 4th gear, 62 mph, around 3200 rpms. Check engine and traction control off lights illuminated, (Invidia) exhaust note became weak, car appeared to lose power. At wide open throttle, rpms remained at 3200, (normal is approaching red line) boost went from 20lbs of vacuum to 2 lbs of boost, (normal is around 10 lbs of boost). At stop light, turned air off, turned car off, started car. Appeared normal now in all operations, except check engine light remained on. Stopped in parking lot at destination, sat 2 minutes, started car with air on. All normal operation except check engine light remains on.[/FONT]

Have restarted the car (7) subsequent times and driven it 10 miles an the only symptom is the check engine light remains on...

Will send this to the dealer, too. They're not getting my car again, just an FYI to them.

 

After reviewing over 2 years of posts on this thread, I doubt MINI will come up with any solution at this point. My question is, has anyone experienced this issue with the R 56?

 

I just got my MINI back from the dealer [scheduled factory service interval] and was told the problem was "bad gas." Since our '05 MCS has 34K miles and I doubt a miracle will happen before the warranty expires, I guess we will have to live with the problem...
-B
PS -- I know synthetics are good, but this recent service visit at 34K was only the 2nd required oil change. That works out to 15-17K miles per interval!! I've been doing my own additional changes at ~5K intervals.

 

I run on synthetic oil and on 93 octane fuel. I experience this problem also. I live in southwestern Idaho.