The SA said that mini is very aware of this problem but that they do not know what to do.

 

That's encouraging. So, the next time the carbon buildup thing happens we shouldn't have to fight over whether it's covered under warranty then? My wife didn't even want to take hers in for the last service, the fight we had with them was so bad when they tried to charge us $800 for the carbon clean out during the previous servicing. I had to take it in this time.

HHH

 

This is happening to all DI engines people in other forums are talking about this Audi, Porsche, BMW, GM almost every board has a discusion on it.

water or meth injection and a catch can with a PCV in the catch can as well, or take it apart and clean it up after 10 or 15000 miles.

here is a picture of a DI engine with 10000 miles on it, this is exactly what my #4 and #3 cylinder looked like at 50000


Attachment 42562

 

I had made a request to be called by the Mini USA rep. I explained to him my problem and that i didnt believe Mini had repaired the problem only addressed the symptom and i asked him what i could do about it after the 50K mile warranty was up he said and i quote "it is your problem now" "we will only cover it under our manufacturer warranty which ends at 50K miles"

Driving in to work this morning it began to miss slightly, i have put about 1000 miles on it since the dealer had cleaned the valve. I will attempt to take the car to the dealer but after talking to the Mini rep i highly doubt that it will be covered.

I have 50016 miles i guess this is the best Mini USA can do, i had planned to buy a 2010 mini cooper s. but i will not and i will tell anyone who asks me about it.

 

I may be dealing with a similar "bad gas" issue on this thread, or with the cold start rattle in another thread... 09 MCS with ~4500 mi had trouble starting when cold as of about 3 weeks ago (cold = 80 degrees ambient).
Once warmed up, no problem.. only an issue at first start of the morning.
After a few days of this took it to the dealer as it appeared to get worse. Dealer claimed it was "contaminated gas", though it was the running mostly same premium gas for the 6 months since purchased new, without a previous issue. Dealer said it was not covered by warranty and cleaned it out at a cost of $600 to me.

Now after running another tank+ of top tier premium through the car, the issue is still there, even worse. Now back in shop...

Any advice appreciated: could this really be "bad gas", or is that a way to dodge responsibility? Or more likely the cold start issue (SI M 11 02 07)?

Any suggestions for questions to ask to validate the bad gas diagnosis?
Am I getting reamed with this is "not covered by warranty"?

 

If it turns out to be the "dreaded carbon build-up" problem, the key question is: Where is the deposit? (And, of course get them to show you.) If it's in the intake ports (#4 seems particularly prone) prior to the combustion chamber, ask them how it could be bad gas when the fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber. If it's only in the combustion chamber & not in the intake, you may have a little tougher case to prove. BTW, they wanted to charge me $800 for the clean out if I remember correctly.

From what I've read, this is evidently not a MINI problem but a direct injection problem that is also being found in other cars with DI. The crank vents to the intake manifold, & there is no fuel w/ additives to keep it cleared out.

(How did I do? Anyone have anything to add to that?)

 

Thanks HHH.. actually to be clear the "clean out" they did earlier I believe was only to drop the tank and flush out the fuel supply path, not a deposit cleanout. Hoping I don't have to do that too! (seems like 5000 mi is pretty new to have significant buildup, but dunno...)

 

might be unrelated but my Cooper did something kinda similar once or twice when it was cold,3 degrees temp outside.
Engine was revving up and down and rattlely,switched it off,waited few seconds,then started it and it was perfect???
Then the other day when it was warm,came back to car,started it and it started revving up and down again only this time the yellow 'engine' symbol light came on!
Switched it off,started it again and againand it didnt started
i had to tow it to the dealer who checked the fault memory and told me that
they dont know what is it

 

My "bad gas" issue required a new fuel pump... update in post:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...15-post65.html
My faith in the dealer renewed, as this was done under warranty.

 

Drivin09 did they refund you the 600 bucks for the failed attempt at repair. I think they should. I also think if they do not you should file a claim in small cliams court for it. They were clearly wrong with there diagnosis