I'm about to have my car diagnosed on January 7th for misfire. Chances are it is from carbon build up. My car has 59K on it now, but the carbon build up was cleaned during a service with 39K on the clock. I've religiously used Chevron gas when they told me that was the culprit.

They are saying that the cause i the high pressure fuel pump plus cleaning should fix it.

Anyone with the new fuel pump not having the carbon build up problems?

TIA

 

Carbon build up is a "feature" of the direct injection engine. Regular seafoam cleaning seems to mitigate the carbon build up. Carbon build up has nothing to do with the HPFP. The brand of gas you use has nothing to do with carbon build up either. I assume your dealer gave you the ole "bad gas" runaround.

 

Yep, the HPFP is unrelated. When mine was replaced, carbon buildup was also notes and cleaned, and an updated valve cover was also installed.

Based on the level of smoke when I SeaFoam, I'd say it's improved but not perfect. Depending on your build date you may already have the updated one though.

 

Mine is an Oct 2008 build date. Do I have the update?

 

They did the first time, but they have lots of customers complaining now. My dealer is super backlogged. Not sure what MINI is going to do about this...but I'm not holding my breathe.

 

To help with the carbon build up do a search for seafoam. This treatment, while not a cure, seems to help in a not insignificant way.

 

You will find that since the introduction of the N14/B16 engine, the 11/2005 -11/2008 had a poor design of the PCV system, and the models with the this early cam cover, suffer more from excessive carbon build up.

The revised cam cover was introduced into the factory line from 11/2008 to 03/2010 for the S model, when the introduction of the new engine (N18) arrived for the S model.

So for those of you that don't want to fit a catch can, then you have the choice of fitting a later style 11/2008 - 03/2010 cam cover, and this has better PCV control.

Sadly the JCW model has not received this new engine (N18) yet, and so is still subject to carbon build up, but fitted with the latest 11/2008 onwards, revised cam cover for better PCV control.

 

Thanks Czar...I will look into this.

And Outlier...I've read about the Sea Foam treatment. I was looking for something more permanent if I keep this car long term.

 

Is the updated cam cover something that MINI will replace under warranty or is it on the customer's nickel?

 

Update frome the dealer. It seems if they cannot duplicate my hard start, they won't replace my fuel pump, and won't clean the carbon. I'm not holding my breathe here.

If they don't clean the carbon...what are my options here? Is the Seafoam treatment enough? I am definitely getting the Oil Catch Can.

TIA!

 

Can anyone answer this question?Also has anyone had the new cam cover replaced and can tell us good/bad results or if there was still a problem with the carbon issue.

 

In my case it was replaced under warranty at the same time my HPFP was replaced, I had complained of rough starts and knocking and they found the carbon build-up before the low pressure of the fuel pump.