2nd Gen R56 Cooper S 07 major loss of power

Discussion in 'Starting Line - New Member Introductions' started by Miniac, Oct 4, 2018.

  1. Miniac

    Miniac Member

    May 12, 2018
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    G’day folks, so was cruising home from work today and all was fine until I noticed a sudden shuddder/burble/fart rattle through the MINI.
    Engine light came on, exhaust had a WRX BAWBLE Sound and a massive decrease in power. Pulled over to the left (Aussie) and engine light goes off.
    I could only get to 3500rpm and was not brave enough to get out of 3rd...
    I am 1.5km (1 mile) from home so continue with clenched buttocks hoping and praying to the r56 gods that the old girl will make it and not need major surgery (my mechanic is another km down the rd..... handy, I know)
    Got home and cracked out the manual to see what ‘check engine light’ means.... it mentions something to do with catalytic converters....
    Anyhow going away for weekend (not in MINI)
    Call mechanic in the morning......
    Has anybody experienced anything like this?
    Cheers
    Maniac
     
  2. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

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    #2 Qik, Oct 4, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
    That check engine light can be anything, it's odd your manual points you towards a cat fault. To me it sounds like you've got a failed coil. I'd advise changing them all and the plugs at the same time. Go to a parts store and have them check what codes you have to be sure. If it's a coil you'll have misfires and injector shut down.
     
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  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I had something like this happen on my R58. It did it right redline. Limped home, it sounded BAD. Same I could only get to about 35 MPH. I thought for sure I had dropped a valve. I turned out to be a coil pack.
     
  4. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Agree - pull the code, sounds like a coil.
     
  5. Miniac

    Miniac Member

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    Hmmm ironic..... just brought new plugs last week . I will run down to mechanic and get him to run codes.
    Thanks for the input guys, I will follow up with the results
    Cheers


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  6. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Cool - let us know and fingers crossed. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Did you find the problem?
     
  8. Miniac

    Miniac Member

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    Mechanic is busy.... hasn’t had a chance to pull the codes yet....
    I have a feeling I’m going to be haemorrhaging cash...../



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  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    You could do it old school. With the car idling pull the plug on the coil packs one at a time and see if the engine stumbles. the one that doesn’t would be the bad one.

    This is a 07 S? When was the last time you had it walnut blasted?
     
  10. Miniac

    Miniac Member

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    Early 07, never been blasted....
    I think she hasn’t had the most meticulous care in her life.
    I’ve only owned for 6 months.
    The shuddering was the part that has me most perplexed. I’ve never felt a car shudder like that. ..
    Will keep you all posted on the outcomes..
    Cheers



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  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    The N14 engines need blasting every 40k or so. If it has never been done you need to have the intake checked.
     
  12. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    I’m also going to say coil, I had that happen to me once. Luckily I had an older set of coils at the house and was able to pop them in. It shouldn’t cost too much, and it’s something you can do yourself, since they pretty much just pop out.
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    11 year old car with questionable maintenance..... I will put my money on Carbon build up and needing walnut blasting maybe coils. I would also change the plugs.
     
  14. Miniac

    Miniac Member

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    Haha! A gambling man, i am happy to play the role of bookie and take a small handling fee on any bets........to assist in the expediting the Cooper back on the road of course ;)
    Stoopid question though , who the hell does walnut blasting (NOT THE MINI DEALER IM ASSSUMING)
    I use a local BMW/MINI independent mechanic.
    Not to sound sceptical, but my mechanic ability is limited & more or less started & ends at oil changes......
    I just don’t need to be sold a spare “Johnson rod”!!!


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  15. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    LoL. The dealer should do it. My dealer charges $800 US. Some Independent shops also do it. If you have a shop vac and compressor for about 100 bucks you can buy the tools to do it yourself.

    I don't know anything about Johnson and his rod!:eek::D
     
  16. Miniac

    Miniac Member

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    Lol
    Interesting.. google returns nothing about walnut blasting here in Australia.
    Soda blasting yes.... I’ll drop into the mechanic this afternoon and discuss the pros and cons of Johnson rods! Hahahaha


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  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Soda would work too. The problem is the N18 engine is a direct injection engine so there is no fuel washing the oil vapor from the PVC valve off the valves. To the intake and intake valves get caked up. If it gets bad enough the car will not run.
     
  18. Miniac

    Miniac Member

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    They have replaced ignition coil on cylinder 3 & replaced all plugs....
    big thanks for all of your input!
    I’d buy a round of beers if you weren’t on the other side of the planet!
    A wealth of information on this forum.
    Still want to investigate this walnut blasting idea.... it seems odd that it’s not a big deal here in Australia...
    For what it’s worth the car does a lot of 20 minute drives. It is my understanding that short drives are not great for the r56......




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  19. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Your right short drives are bad for them, it doesn’t heat up long enough to evaporate all the moisture. Changing the oil more often will help it from turning in to mayonnaise.
    You know I am not above hoping on a plane and coming and getting that beer! I’ve always wanted to come to Australia.
     
  20. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    It's just different media and any "media blasting" outfit should have access to it.

    https://www.amazon.com/Walnut-Shell-20-40-Blasting-Abrasive/dp/B00NAGUCZO

    The idea is that it is easier on soft aluminum surfaces. The bulk of the dealer cost is the fee to open up the head to get the media there.

    Milan has you covered with instructions - the rest is a trip to Harbor Freight (or your equivalent discount tool chain) for tools and walnut media:

     

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