I'm having problems with the MINI, the timeline: On the way out to MOTD the while cruising along a CEL is tossed. Pull off at next exit read code, P0301 - Misfire Cylinder 1. Clear code and continue on. Call it about 500 Miles and 3 days later code come back, now DSC light comes on as well. Over the course of MOTD it comes and goes. Driving home code comes and goes. Cross TX state line and stop for gas at the worlds most expensive Exxon right off I-20 in Waskom TX. Start car up and it running on 3 cyl. Move it out of the way of the pumps and check the easy stuff. Make sure the plug wires are snug and there are no holes in the block. Clear codes, start up and running on all 4 now. Get down ramp back on I-20 and back to 3 cyl. The thought process runs through how far I am from a dealer at this point. Dallas would be closest. I still have MINI Roadside being under 3 years and 50K miles. Figuring the closer I get to Dallas the quicker a flat bed would be to me so I keep going taking careful note of the mile markers. About 20 miles later we are back to running on all 4 again. Did not stop the rest of the way home, even the three traffic lights are good to me and are all green. Next day go out and start car, 3 cyl. Clear codes, now have a P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold too. No real surprise at that one. Start it up again and give it some gas, runs on all 4 if I keep it above 1200 rpm. Let it all cool and pull #1 plug, looks ok, swap in a new plug and new wire. Still 3 cyl unless given gas at startup. Idle causes 3 cyl issue. Have quite a bit of work to catch up on after being away a week and since my commute is across the living room I can be car less for a few days. In the meantime I speak with a few folks about the issue and formulate a plan. Went back to check it out today. First I swapped the coil, why not, it's an easy thing to do. No joy. Then I did the injector work as recommended by Way, swapped the piggy back harness on Cyl 1 to Cyl 2, swapped Cyl 1 injector to Cyl 4. For those of you keeping score at home, yes I worked on my own car. Only made a few mistakes that Chad helped me fix. Thanks Chad. Started up and ran for about 3-4 on all 4 at idle, then went back to 3. Same P0301 code. Do all the same tests with giving it gas on start up and keeping over 1200 RPM, as long as I do that it runs on all 4. Speak to Way again, didn't want to bother Chad yet again today. Next step is leak down and compression tests. However, a quick chat with someone else says I should swap all plugs in case Cyl 1 reading is really another Cyl having issues. Will try that over the weekend. Worst case is there is something with the head or piston. Lets hope not...
If you have access to a GT1 or Autologic, clear the fault codes // turn ignition off // leave it OFF for 5 minutes. Give that a try...
I fear... that you've got a small head gasket leak... Low revs it's got time to leak down so it won't fire, higher speeds it doesn't. Anyway, this sucks for sure as it seems that it's based on the cylinder location, not the plug or injector location. That means rings, valves, cylinder..... Matt
Have it in shop as we speak. For those that wanted me to check all 4 plugs, I did, no change. A compression and leak down test reveals there are issues with Cyl 1. Squirting a bit of oil in cyl and checking compression brings the level back up. Possibly rings or a bad piston is the diagnosis. Will go back next week when I have arranged a loaner. Now to put it all back together for now.
Have it in shop as we speak. For those that wanted me to check all 4 plugs, I did, no change. A compression and leak down test reveals there are issues with Cyl 1. Squirting a bit of oil in cyl and checking compression brings the level back up. Possibly rings or a bad piston is the diagnosis. Will go back next week when I have arranged a loaner. Now to put it all back together for now.
Yeah, I agree. However, I did this. I'm the one that created the "beast". I also knew full well from doing this sort of thing with other cars there would be issues.
Yeah... Blimey isn't as extreme as the Gnat... but I know he'll never be fully trouble-free, either. Gotta pay to play.
Nathan here recently I melted a bit of my #1 piston and my car sounded like a subaru running on 3 cylinders when #1 plug was all fouled up with oil. My car is currently at Hubies shop getting rebuilt with all sorts of fun goodies Stage3a head hubie cam JE pistons mynes header custom exhaust CM fly CM FX400 OS Giken LSD
This is becoming a little to common of a sight for me... Yes...this tow hook really does work as a toe hook. See ya soon... Next step is to run to MINI of Dallas to pick up parts.. Head Gasket Intake Gasket Oil Pan Gasket Spark Plug Tube Already have Exhaust Gaskets on the shelf here thanks to PGT. And lastly the new piston assemblies arrived yesterday. Thank you again to the very generous person that sent them. Will update this thread with progress and pictures of the damage.
Like the name of the tow co...."tow jam" Sorry for your troubles but as you have obeserved and Paul has so succinctly put it "you gotta pay to play'
I have a couple of sets of flatbed pics, too. Not something you ever like to see. Hope the Gnat gets well soon!
Looks like........ No, sounds like your neighborhood is going to be nice and quiet for a while. Should make your next door "biddies" happy. Good luck and speedy recovery.