hi everyone. for starters, I have a DS/B MCS with about 27,500 miles.

For the last month, my car has stumbled 4 times now, including this morning as I pulled into a space at work. The engine idles at about 400-500 rpms but never dies. From what I can tell, it usually happens most often when I come to a stop from coasting in nuetral. Since I bought the car used, I have noticed that the motor sounds rather loud, and has a deep 'tick' sound on every fourth stroke.

It never throws a code, so the ECU is not reading a major malfunction, but an 04 should not have this problem.

Current mods: only an ebay intake

all vacuum lines are secure, nothing leaking, accelerates fine. just dont want to pay the dealer to look it over, then find nothing, then have to pay for the inspection!

 

With only 27k miles you should still be under warranty. Unless the original 3/36k warranty is non-transferable. I'm not a mechanic, so I can't comment on anything else.

 

it's still valid. Take it in!

A tick every 4th ingition can be an exhaust leak, or it used to be a sign of a sticky valve or lifter on my older cars.....

I good trick is to use a piece of 1/4" hose as a stethiscope... To localize the sound. Is it there at idle?

Matt

 

At first I was thinking bad gas, but then the every 4th ticking thing makes me think different. Your MINI is still under warranty. Take it in!

 

Oh, but you *might* want to put the stock intake back on if you take it in. Some dealers are picky...

 

yeah, I actually extended the maintenance warranty to match the drivetrain warranty. anyway, I wasnt sure if they would look at it for free, seeing that it only occurs every so often and is not always present. any ideas out there?

 

mods, you can close this thread, I contacted my MA and am setting up an appointment. and just to throw in more info for latecomers, my exhaust vibrates quite a bit now, along with the motor. maybe a mount needs to be replaced, who knows.

thanks for your help guys!

 

As requested