Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Un-stable idle

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  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Jun 21, 2011
    Any codes?

    With A/C on and off?
     
  2. kconner5

    kconner5 New Member

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    #3 kconner5, Jun 21, 2011
    Mine does the same thing but doesn't sound as bad as yours... mine has never stalled... Let me know what it is if you can find out... PS Mine is an auto (maybe that has something to do with it?)
     
  3. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #4 Justa Jim, Jun 22, 2011
    OK, keeping in mind that I have a justa, I'll toss this out any way. Mine was doing the exact same thing and replacing the plugs did the trick.

    Jim
     
  4. Arctic954

    Arctic954 New Member

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    #5 Arctic954, Jun 22, 2011
    +1.......our Envoy (lol) was doing the same thing and the spark plug electrodes were rounded off.
     
  5. UKXPAT

    UKXPAT New Member

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    #6 UKXPAT, Jun 22, 2011
    No codes. A/C on. I have not had a 'cool' opportunity to drive it around for any length of time with it switched off.
     
  6. UKXPAT

    UKXPAT New Member

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    #7 UKXPAT, Jun 22, 2011
    Next on the list. Just ordered a set from Jan, but mine have only got about 6,000 miles on them. Bit of a pain with the GP IC as that has to be removed to change the plugs!

    Then the front O2 sensor is next on the list.
     
  7. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #8 minimark, Jun 22, 2011
    Have you ruled out any vacuum leaks, including IC boots? If not a smoke test might be a good place to start. 2 cents
     
  8. UKXPAT

    UKXPAT New Member

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    #9 UKXPAT, Jun 22, 2011
    No I haven't, that's another item on the list. Not familiar with a 'Smoke Test'?
     
  9. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #10 Justa Jim, Jun 22, 2011
    That means minimark smokes a cigar, while he watches you work on the car. :lol:

    Jim
     
  10. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #11 BThayer23, Jun 22, 2011
    :lol::lol::lol:

    A mechanic pumps smoke from a smoke machine into your intake; the smoke allows you to identify any vacuum leaks on the intake side of the engine.
     
  11. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #12 minimark, Jun 22, 2011
    Exactly !!! LOL

    Ben told you correct. Smallest leak throws everything off and a smoke test is the best way to find one.

    Shouldn't cost ya much either.
     
  12. UKXPAT

    UKXPAT New Member

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    #13 UKXPAT, Jun 22, 2011
    Thanks. I think I could have handled the first version myself! :lol:
    I will have a word with my 'Tame' MINI technician and see if he can do one for me.
     
  13. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #14 minimark, Jun 22, 2011
    Might check your IC boots yourself; pull the cover and while it's running see if you feel any air coming out of them and or pop the IC off (car off) and give them a good inspection. They usually fail right along the clamps and this will show up first as a rough idle and progress as the leak gets worse. Hope this helps ya.
     
  14. UKXPAT

    UKXPAT New Member

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    #15 UKXPAT, Jun 22, 2011
    Thanks, I'll check them out. I did actually put brand new ones on when I installed my GP IC, but always worth another check.

    Isn't there also a vacuum pipe under/behind the IC itself?
     
  15. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #16 minimark, Jun 22, 2011
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2011
    Yes down below the fuel rail and more. Why the smoke test is so good at narrowing down where the problem might be.

    It may not be a leak but I'd want to rule it out before replacing sensors and then still have the problem.

    Good luck!
     
  16. UKXPAT

    UKXPAT New Member

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    #17 UKXPAT, Jun 25, 2011
    Nathan,

    I tried briefly with the A/C on and off. Doesn't seem to make a difference to the idle. What's your reasoning behind the A/C making a difference?
     
  17. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #18 Nathan, Jun 25, 2011
    The ECU has two different idle settings that differ by about 50 rpm the greater one is A/C on. Was curious if it made a difference with your issue or not.
     
  18. kconner5

    kconner5 New Member

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    #19 kconner5, Jun 28, 2011
    I just had my oil changed yesterday... My idle issue got considerably worse... Whenever I start the car the engine revs dip very low and then back up to around 1,000 rpm and bounce back and forth until it finally reaches a steady idle... Could the oil change have affected anything?
     
  19. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #20 BThayer23, Jun 28, 2011
    Not really. A bad cam position sensor would give you those symptoms, though.
     
  20. BongKeo

    BongKeo New Member

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    #21 BongKeo, Jul 5, 2011
    Oh

    I have similar problem, so have you found the source of this problem yet?
     
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