So, I have a 2005 MCSa that I picked up in March. I have the occasional SES light and plan to get the new update next time I take the car in. I guess I also have to get the wiring harness done, so I suppose it's going to be sooner rather than later.

At any rate, I was leaving work last night, just pulled out of the drive, started to accelerate and my EML and SES light came on and the car went into limp mode. I pulled over, shut off the car, restarted. SES but no EML (I'm so used the the SES by now, but now I'm a little freaked out) and the car runs normally - for a block or so - and it limps again. Stop, start, and I make it the 5 or so miles home - no limp, no EML but SES on.

I do notice my exhaust has gotten really loud. I have a Milltek exhaust and have been having problems with the flange bolts coming loose. My mechanic replaced the rear ones with locking "exhaust bolts" (sort of orange in color and the nut is eccentric or something so it locks). About a month later, I heard a rattling noise and found one of the two rear bolts had worked loose. Since it was a locking nut, it didn't come off. I retightened it.

So when I get home, I look at the exhaust. and now one of the nuts on the front flange was missing (these were still the original Milltek supplied hardware). The bolt was still hanging by a bit of sealant, so it must have come off recently. I replaced that nut and bolt with a similar one until I can get a new set of fresh exhaust bolts. I used a bit of locktight (as well as a split washer) so I hope it holds for a day or two. Incidentally, this morning I drove to work - no problem. I started my car a couple of times last night to clear the SES - just so I would notice if it came on again.

Another strange issue was that my outside temp read as high as 104F as I was driving home last night. Now, it was a warm day in LA yesterday, but I was within 5 miles of the ocean and it wasn't THAT hot.

So my question is, could an exhaust leak (especially right after the cat) cause an EML and limp mode? Is this all just a coincidence? And does anyone have any suggestions for exhaust bolts that won't work loose (I did try to be conscious about tightening the flanges back-and-forth - evenly - as I cinched them down).

Thanks (sorry for the long post).

Steve
2005MCSa, 15% Alta, Alta CAI, Milltek, H-Sport Springs and Sways

(woohoo! my first NEW NAM thread!)

 

An exhaust leak after the cat should not cause the SES/limp mode. There are no sensors after the cat so the computer has no idea what happens after the last sensor.

 

Steve, it was almost that hot! It was hotter along the coast than in Needles yesterday!

Sometimes if a MINI is parked in the beating sun, the temp guage will reflect the interior heat when you first fire it up. For example, I will hop into Wanda and the temp will read 88, but as I drive down the street, the guage will correct to the actual air temp of 78. I got readings of 99+ yesterday, as I was motoring around in Santa Monica.

Congrats on your first new thread. I'm not familiar with the mechanics of the MCSa. Hopefully, members who are will post here.


Clover

 

So my question is, could an exhaust leak (especially right after the cat) cause an EML and limp mode? Is this all just a coincidence? And does anyone have any suggestions for exhaust bolts that won't work loose (I did try to be conscious about tightening the flanges back-and-forth - evenly - as I cinched them down).

Thanks (sorry for the long post).

Steve
2005MCSa, 15% Alta, Alta CAI, Milltek, H-Sport Springs and Sways

(woohoo! my first NEW NAM thread!)[/QUOTE]
Try tightening the bolts using locking washers or double nutting them.