Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: R53 engine runs very Rough in cold weather

When it is this cold outside (10 degrees or less) it is a good idea to let you car warm up for 15 to 20 min so everything can get up to temp and not just by the water temp gauge since that only measures water temp not oil temp. It also depends on the weight of oil you have in your car.

I took my car out today and I let it sit in the driveway running for a 1/2 hour before I went out on the road. When I started my car it sounded a little sluggish but after just 10 min it sounded a lot smoother. Remember the oil and fuel and can turn almost solid in the extreme low temps and the battery can loose up to 60% of it power just being below 40 degrees. The Windex and Prima Hydro in may garage are now frozen solid.

Oh the little bit of condensation coming out of my tailpipes froze to the ground behind my car. Yeah its that effin cold out.

 

1-Lift hood, use special MINI tool to loosen tensioner.

2-If belt is there remove it. If not skip this step & go to step 3.

3-Install new belt.

4-Close hood & enjoy! :donut1:

Nathan you may want to add this how-to in the library.

 

Be sure to drive your car...(once it is running...good luck).
Just idling might get it ready to drive...but does not heat it up to get the built up moisture out of the motor....(this is even worse for folks with extra oil coolers...imo they should be covered for winter driving unless your oil temp guage indicates otherwise).
Not sure what is up with your car...but an odb2 reader will help...for about $40 you can get one from harbor freight.....very useful to have around. I second that having a GOOD battery is a good start...I have a AGM BATTERY (OPTIMA red top)... simply does great in the cold...low voltage in these computers with a motor attached (mini calls them cars) can do odd things...
My car spends 50%+ of nights in a 40°f garage.... But does sit out in low single, even minus temps regularly..I usually leave first in the am.... Seems to start up fine, shift fine and run fine in -10°f after about a 10 minute warm up.
I have always thought that how well a car runs in extreme cold is a good test cause everything is tested to the max.....
Might be worth looking at the motor more closely come spring.....

 

Yep saw that. Justa adding my 12 volts worth to your post.

 

Best post evah ! ! !

 

In this weather warming up the car for a time is a good idea.

 

AGM batteries do not like being charged with a regular charger. I use a AGM battery tender on the Miata AGM battery. Still going after the install 11 years ago.

 

I learned years ago to always keep a load of gas in the tank in cold weather. Now you know that too Bradley.

 

......yea, did you hear that, BLAKE!!!

 

That's funny.

 

Yeah more like, " Dad can I have your credit card?" :lol:

 

My son finally learned that. So did Babs, queen of the empty tank runners. :frown2:

 

:eek6:

 

Dude you need to Chill out and read more.

See post #24

Okay, GOT THE MINI STARTED!!!! It was frozen fuel lines.

Today the temperatures got a little warmer which means the high got to about 28 degrees. I put in HEET gas defroster and more gas in the car yesterday. This evening after trying to start and giving it gas it eventually turned over and then died...then kept trying and eventually got to a point where it sounded very rough but it did not die! After giving it gas for about 15-20 minutes drove over to BP (I know, usually don't go there but it was closest one) and put in some more 93. By that time the engine sounded back to normal and drove it like I stole it for a block or two. Crossing fingers that it will start tomorrow morning. Like my chances since it's supposed to get warmer and my mini is back safe in the garage.

Definitely going to keep more gas in extreme temperatures and check the spark plugs. Found out the battery had no issue at all.

Thanks to all for the input and possible solutions!!

Read more: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s-engine-drivetrain/20480-r53-engine-runs-very-rough-cold-weather.html#ixzz2uWyFQclV

 

No help, I'm just surprised we haven't seen more of these type posts the past few days.

Did it give any codes?

 

My sons R50 wouldn't start this morning either. Hoping it's just a weak battery from sitting in this cold for a couple days. I'll be jumping it tonight to see if that's all it is.

 

Similar thing happened to my R56, warmed it up for 20 minutes and all was fine. I didn't have the shutting off problem though.