Can an exhaust leak cause a missfire on a specific cylinder? When it misses ses light flashes three times...killit, turn it over again an its not missing anymore. About 30 seconds is all I get of idling before this occurs. If I keep it at 1300 or better no miss.... parts changed attempting to solve: coil pack, plugs, wires,trouble shooting: no vacum leaks( carb spray), swapped injectors with no change in cylinder code after one week of 150 miles or better. Suggestions?

 

Compression and leakdoen test time....

 

Test timing? Were do I start? An more probable fixes?No mechanic. Far from ignorant though.

 

I'm betting you have low compression from a burnt valve....compression test will confirm low compression...leak down will pinpoint it to the top end...valves...or to maybe a head gasket....
Compression test is simple as a spark plug....
Leak down is much the same, but an air compressor is added to see how much psi the motor will hold...
Since the misfire is helped with rpm...I'm thinking the valve is burnt....
Typicaly worsens rapidly....can be from just miles and age, but more common from lower than the spec 91+ octane fuel....

 

That was the worse possible outcome on my list of causes. Any way to do these tests yourself without buying expensive equipment? Ive got access to all the basic tools.hell I gotta five ton crane in my warehouse. Im somwhat a diesel mechanic. Also estimation for diy on a burnt valve replacment...time and cost tools required ( purpose made tools). Im with you on the burnt valve. I just didnt wanna believe my first instinct. Half cause im not rich an half cause im no certified mechanic just a guy surfing the web for clues. I didnt buy a repair manual an swapped the trans for a rebuilt(didnt go for the 6 because of fundage) so im guessing a burnt valve is a bit more tedious than a trans swap?

 

Btw its either leaking or burning oil. Bout a quart every two weeks. Valve or gasket probability?no spots on the drivway but I read a post long time ago about a sneaky leak with these cars that only drips as it runs. Making it seem as though your burning oil rather than leaking. Seal around a pully shaft I think.....idk.

 

Bet you could do it...but look further...don't take my works for it..a $100 bently book would be a good thing to buy....
Yank the head..get it rebuilt...then remount it...guess you could do ONE valve and lap it..but if you yank it off...IMO spend the $500 and start fresh.
Heck...if you did a tranny swap....and work on diesels...should be easy...MINI motors are pretty basic (on the gen1).
The compression check tools can be gotten for free rental from most of the bigbox autostores....or bought for a few $ at places like harbor fright....
Oil leak...If i had to bet $$, I would bet oil pan gasket and OR crank position Sensor (CPS) o-ring....
both typically blow back...so no drips...and are so close...hard to tell which one...
The CPS o-ring is fairly easy....oil pan gasket s a bit more time and $$.

 

Whats the 500 or sofor exactly? My father is a retired machinist an I dabbled with it. We have access to a layth. I dont wanna bor it out with that friggin midland in there either I know your prolly thinkin...while your in there....lol

 

A machine shop will typically regrind the head to level, usually replace the valves, clean and inspect the head for cracks, fix as needed...it may/may not include new springs, etc....
The head is then reinstalled with a thicker head gasket to make up for the material lost during machining....that's why when you buy a new headgasket, there are different thicknesses....if the block was machined and the head was and a stock gasket used, then the timing chain would be too long and have too much slack...even though we are dealing with fractions of an inch, it does make a difference....
Generally the valves fail after getting hot...they are then soft...and wear fast...or if just from wear...others may go.....but it does suck...how somebody saving ¢20 a gallon at the pump cost you about $1500 (if done in a shop).
Some shops do "exchange" heads...so you wait a day or so....

 

I had New Beetle, same symptoms, took it to the dealer and diagnose as shorted Camshaft sensor... and throw a bad Cat converter, replaced the sensor everything is fine.. just a thought!

 

Car burned to the ground last night. Power steering malfunction. My initial problem was that I bought a mini.

 

Ouch! So sorry to hear of that. I hope no one was hurt.

Regards

 

Cops are knocking at the door....heard you were frustrated by the car...
They heard a rumor about insurance fraud.....
Good to hear it was not parked in the garage so the house did not burn down with it!!

 

I know that feeling