2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Alta Tuned Cooper S runs poorly after coldstart

The first two words below should be removed from the car and then test it again and see if your issue goes away.

Alta Tuned Cooper S runs poorly after coldstart

 

All Direct Injection motors have the same issue whether it's a MINI or a GTI.

 

Carbon problems are caused by oil vapor from the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system cooking on the backs of the intake valves and building up until the carbon restricts air flow to the cylinders. This happens because turbo MINIs have direct injection, rather than port injection that washes the oil off of the intake valves before it can cook there.

Carbon build up is not caused by the Access Port programming.

The factory recommended way to remove the carbon build up is by media blasting with ground walnut shells. Were your valves de-carboned by media blasting with ground walnut shells?

Seafoam added to the gas will do nothing.

Because the car ran just fine with the Access Port programing for a few years, I don't think it is the cause of the problem, though the programming seems to be amplifying the problem to the point that the car sets a code.

Going by your mileage and the mileage in which you last had a carbon cleaning, you may be due again.

Harbor Freight has their pressure media blaster on sale now for $99, you can buy the MINI media blaster tool on line from many vendors or make your own. I haven't had to clean my intake valves but I have all the tools for it when it becomes necessary. The tools cost way less than $500, whether or not it is a do it yourself job depends on what your time is worth.

 

I wouldn't blame ALTA in this instance. At least not yet. I agree with Dnepr Dave on this one.

 

Like other have said the tune makes it more noticeable and I would say you need or are due for a carbon blast. Then I would test the car and then if everything is ok reflash your car with the ALTA tune.

Then all should be right in your MINI world again.

 

This is interesting - thanks for posting! Mind if I ask where you were purchasing your gas before?

 

Glad everything worked out in the end.

A faulty high pressure fuel pump, dad fuel and carbon will kill the performance of any car.
It's odd that you got the trifecta at the same time.