Most liked posts in thread: R53 issues after at river run

So, I think after 3 years of guessing, I might finally have an answer. I spoke with the great guys over at Best Motor Werks in Columbus about my car. They pulled the fuel filter and said it was extremely dirty! They wont be able to test drive it till after the weekend, but they are confident that is what is causing the issues. I will report back and let you everyone know.

 

That's what I was told the first time I had it into the dealer, so it was quickly taken off the list of potential causes it appears.

 

Thanks guys!

Chuck, is there any way to check the wires without replacing? For the plugs should I check with a spark tester?
I thought I had checked the balancer, I will have to reread how to test that.

Nathan, that's a great idea! I wonder if their free scan would be any better than the scan gauge. Also, should I have a friend ready to read the gauge when cranking or does it hold? Also, any idea what is different about the MINI spark plug tool?

Thanks guys, I am less sadden by the issue now. I hate to have the car sit for too long while I save for a rebuild if it's not needed.

 

They are cheap enough, but these current wires have just over a 1000 miles on them. 30 dollars is a cheap fix, if it fixes it. I just noticed your offer of a coil pack, I may take you up on that.

Well, sense your willing to help, I'll take it! You've been down this road many more times than I. And if your coming, I see no reason not to use the MINI spark tool.

As for what the cars doing, it's up to old antics again. I'll try and recap.

Coming off the dragon in 2011, the car started to loss power just before 3000 RPM. Once the RPM dropped down around 2200, the engine would decide I could have power again. It got so bad that I had to pull off and get a toe. The car would not reach 40 mph. The good forks at Knoxville MINI held a tech late on Saturday to give the car a once over. After a reset of the computer, a lubing of the bypass valve and a few test drives, they demed the care capable of getting us home. However, they did recommend I change the BPV. As soon as I got home, I called Chad and ordered one. While under the hood, the plugs were all changed with new ones(brand escapes me right now, but they were from Japan) and new wires. The car had no issues the few times I had to get it out.

Fast forward to this Spring. The car had now been trouble free the few times it went out in the winter. For Aprils breakfast I took the car and then headed up to Delaware. At the end of my journy back to Canal, the car hesitated again trying to pull away from a stop at the top of the onramp. It happend again as I pulled away from the next light. Thinking back, it was a nice warm spring day. A quick as for help here, and it was mentioned to check my IC boots. Turns out one was loose. A few test drives on the local roads around my house, and all was well.

So, last Saturday I drove the river run with confidence. That was until just a few miles out from out lunch stop, the hesitation returned. However, this time it did not get violent like it was outside of Knoxville, it just prevented me from powering out of the corners and enjoying the supercharger. And then, as we went up a small hill, the engine just shut down. I rolled off to the side of the road, where I turned the car off, and tried to start the engine back up. Success! I made it to lunch and decided to head back home on roads more traveled in the event I would need a toe. Lucky for us the car made it, with only a few more hicups along the way. I also noted that when the issue started happening is just as the tempature started to reach 90.

I hope this helps. I am going to try and dig up my old thread from the dragon and see if it mentioned the code or condition the Tech said the computer reported.

EDIT: Looking back at the old dragon post, the issue then was running lean. Might try and see if Advanced computers can read anymore than my scan gauge did, which is nothing.

 

I'll check the coils. The Car only gets Shell or Sunoco.

 

Well after a trip to autozone this morning I was told my car has no codes and they do not rent compression testers. They were all to willing to sell me one, starting at 49.99.

On a side note, the car drove wondfully today!