Faulty injector or something else

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:13 am

Michael Westerfield wrote:

Could it be something like a IACV or some sort of cold start valve?

That's a possibility. It could be sticking at start. In the MINI this a software controlled valve. There is also a supercharger bypass valve. I need to review how the 2 are connected.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:21 pm

ChrisSuich wrote:

MarcusMcRae wrote:

ChrisSuich wrote:

If it were a dirty filter, wouldn't it be worse above idle as well?

If you have not replaced the filter in 30-50k miles start there.

You could also try pulling the plugs to check them and cleaning the MAF.

I replaced the plugs a few thousand miles ago. This is second set of replacement plugs. I replace the originals around 40-50K.

I wasn't suggesting you need new plugs. You can get an idea of and what's going on in the cylinder just by looking at the plug.

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:05 pm

MarcusMcRae wrote:

I wasn't suggesting you need new plugs. You can get an idea of and what's going on in the cylinder just by looking at the plug.

All the plugs appear normal.

After more research on the web. I am not alone. (refrain from comments)
There are suggestions that ethanol could be the problem.
Perhaps resetting the ECU.

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:03 am

This morning I let the ignition stay on for 30+seconds. The car started after a second or two of cranking and no noticeable stumble.

The worst starting days were Monday (morning and after work) and Tuesday morning. Cool damp conditions.

MartynWheeler · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:30 pm **Posts:** 303

ChrisSuich wrote:

The worst starting days were Monday (morning and after work) and Tuesday morning. Cool damp conditions.

Ah, that explains it then. BMW have successfully recreated the charm and character of the original Mini.

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:18 pm

MartynWheeler wrote:

Ah, that explains it then. BMW have successfully recreated the charm and character of the original Mini.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:20 pm

With our Mustangs when the IACV failed they tended to be worse in cool conditions. However the symptoms were never hard starting, just no fast idle or even idle after warmup. Cleaning doesn't work (for long if at all) with the Mustang IACV. Replacement with an OEM valve does.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Perhaps the oxygen sensor is going bad?

I just got a letter in the mail yesterday from Mini USA claiming that they were extending the warranty on the oxygen sensor on all 2004-2006 MINIs to 10 years/100k miles. Not sure if this is your issue or not, but sounds like it could be related.

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

Perhaps the oxygen sensor is going bad?

I just got a letter in the mail yesterday from Mini USA claiming that they were extending the warranty on the oxygen sensor on all 2004-2006 MINIs to 10 years/100k miles. Not sure if this is your issue or not, but sounds like it could be related.

I got the letter too for our 04 MINI.

It's the '03 that is having trouble. It should be an open loop starting mode anyway.

This morning required two starts.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I'm a little skeptical about the people blaming this problem on E10 gas, but I'm curious, and this should be easy to test --

Is there any gas available without ethanol in it? Maybe some of the 100 octane race gas available in a few places?

If you can find non-alcohol gas, try a tank of it and see if the conditions change.

Would also be interesting to hook up a code scanner while starting and see if any pending codes get stored while trying to start...

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:32 am

100 octane at VIR has ethanol in it, as does the station just east of VIR.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:16 pm

I was going to suggest getting 5 gallons of 100LL from a local (Non-RDU, we can't dispense to anything other than an airplane) airport. 100LL Avgas does not have any ethanol in it.

But your car has a cat on it. The lead content in Avgas is such that it would destroy the cat and that wouldn't be good.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:34 pm

If it's a bolt on catalytic converter, just remove it temporarily, expect to get a CEL and run 4-5 gallons of the high octane stuff. I still think something is going on with fuel pressure or IACV. - AB

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:49 pm

Good call Aaron. I hadn't thought about that.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:15 pm

I haven't been looking. Are the pumps labeled with ethanol content? How much these days in RTP area for major brands like Exxon (and whatever "brands" start with the same stuff before it gets whatever "customizing" gas really has these days?

Thinking about the 25 year old rubber fuel cell in my race car.

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Faulty injector or something else

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