This a.m, drove 4 miles to breakfast, which took 30-40 minutes to eat. When I continued driving, the car had no power off the line and made a sound through the exhaust like a combination exhaust leak and bad exhaust valve. It's a rapping & spitting sound and not a "popping" as on deceleration. The engine had no power - as if the SC was removed, but held an idle and once up to speed, moved along fine at a cruising pace. The SEL came on when I started the car at the diner and stayed on. About 7 miles down the road, I turned on the onboard computer and was getting 78 mpg About 2 miles after that, the problem disappeared (and my mileage dropped to 55 mpg ).

SO, I did some office work and 40 minutes later went for a test ride. Same problem all over again - exactly. Only change was the SEL was blinking for a while and then stayed on constantly.

Also, don't know if this is relevant, but I detect an odor from the engine - smells chemical l- maybe like warm paint (I think), but there was no abnormal heat coming off the head, SC or what I could feel of the block.

1. Sound familiar to anyone, or any ideas?
2. Is it safe to drive the car or should I contact the dealer about Mini towing it 175 miles for service?
3. Is it worthwhile to pay a local mechanic to hook up to an OBD and read the fault codes?

Boy, I'm once again thankful for an involved Mini/NAM community

 

You can get a free OBII readout from Autozone, Kragen etc.

I bought a cheapo OBII reader from Harbor FGT for $32 last month.

 

Definitely get the code read. Some mechanics don't know that some MINIs should have the key in the ignition but not on in order to get the reader to work.

I agree with gizzer777 about picking up your own code reader. They pay for themselves quickly.

Let us know what you find...

 

I have a friend who is a MINI tech, and he told me once that if SES light blinks, it's "cat killing" and that's not good.
Check this thread...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=69339