The "Service Engine Soon" light came on last weekend. I had filled up two days before the light came on, so I double-checked my gas cap. It seemed fine. I had also just washed the car, and it occurred to me that I might have gotten something wet that might have tripped the light. So I drove the car for a few days, hoping the light might go off. When it didn't, I made an appointment at Niello in Sacramento to have it checked.

Turned out my O2 sensor had died. I asked the SA if that was unusual for a car with only 26k miles. He said they usually replace them at 100k, but they've seen a fair number that have failed early. I asked him how much it would have cost if it hadn't been covered by my warranty. He said, oh, $300 to $400.

Ouch! As much as I love this car, I'm thinking more and more about selling it when she gets to 50k. (God, I hate that thought!) I've got a new sunroof, new O2 sensor, new wheel sensor, couple other things I can't remember right now. That's what - a few grand, right there?

Or maybe I'll get lucky and all the weak pieces will have broken by then. (Yeah, right!)

It will probably take me another 2-1/2 years to get to 50k, so I'd be looking at what - a 2010 MINI? Maybe they'll have a hybrid out by then!

OTOH, the good news was that my Dunlop runflats are just about used up! (Thank you, Laguna Seca.) I can't wait to get rid of them!

 

Consider yourself lucky. I am at 26K right now and already have replaced 4 O2 sensors.


Oh...did I mention my MINI was towed to the dealership a week ago...and that I still have not been able to pick it up yet?

 

Does anyone have a picture of where exactly the O2 sensor is ?? my service engine soon light comes on once every so often last time i went for my oil change they said they cleaned it out thats why it was coming on but after about a week of driving it came on again ?? do u think its because i drive my mini only on weekends and very rarely only on nice days that my Service Engine soon light comes on intermitinitly ???

 

I believe the EPA makes all Automobile manufacturers warrenty the pollutions controls, systems, parts etc for 100,000 miles. If the O2 sensor fails within this period I believe the part has to be replaced by Mini or it's dealers gratis, and this includes labor. $400 my a**.

 

They look to be bolt on bolt off... Get the right tool and it should not take 15 minutes under the car to replace...

 

4 in 26k, who/how is this being diagnosed? CEL for 02 sensor does not mean a replacement is needed.

 

Along these lines, I'd love to know what code triggered the CEL - that supposedly indicates a failed O2 sensor. Please share if Niello told this to you... Thanks.

 

Good ole MINI Center in San Antonio.


They have had my MINI for a week now. After they fix one problem, they take it on a road test on find another problem. So frustrating being MINIless.

 

I just have a quick question. Every time someone gets a check engine light the first thing they is "I checked the gas cap". When you call the dealership the first thing they say is "Have you checked the gas cap?"

Has no one but me noticed that there is a separate warning lamp that says "Check Gas Cap". I had it come on once when I didn't get my gas cap tight. My '03 MC and my '06 MCSC have this lamp. It is explained on page 15 of the online version of the '05 owners manual.

Sorry to highjack. Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.