misfire on cylinder 4 and stalling after starting

[jcmini562]

Mostyn..I couldn't agree more. My old mini was three quarts low when I bought it. The only reason I checked it was because at my first breakfast 7 months ago I was warned by you and the club. I bought the car 2 weeks before I joined.. Good thing I went to breakfast and listened.

[mOstyn]

Totally cool.

[sixxgunscott]

Thanks to George, mOstyn & jcmini562. I will take this to heart and keep a much closer eye on my oil level.  Any recommendations on Oil Filter brands, or ones to stay away from? I drive the 101 from the west valley to Camarillo each day so I build up miles quickly.

[stage1scott]

Thanks to George, mOstyn & jcmini562. I will take this to heart and keep a much closer eye on my oil level. Any recommendations on Oil Filter brands, or ones to stay away from? I drive the 101 from the west valley to Camarillo each day so I build up miles quickly.

I actually recomend oil service at 4000 mile intervals for S models with the twin scroll turbo, 6000 for regular MINIs with Mobil 1.  IF you change at or near 4000 on the S, you will find it is about a qt low when you do the change.  once they pass 4000 miles oil consumption goes up dramatically-the dirtier and older the oil is, the quicker they burn it up! The ongoing issues we are seeing are timing chain stretch, failed turbochargers, tensioner failures-all due to inadequate oil service and low oil levels.  While synthetic oil IS impervious to heat, the additive package added to the oils base stock is not-by 5000 miles it seems to be gone.  The ts turbo operates at extremely high temperatures, and we never see the timing chain issues on a regular cooper, whereas the turbo heat is just  killing the oil. 

[mOstyn]

Thanks Scott. I will pass this great data along. BTW Scott knows that I have JUST A COOPER.
MINI OEM FILTER. It is white and has pleats. Scott sells them for a good price.
The MANN filter leaves me wanting.

[sixxgunscott]

Well, B/S MINI says that my MINI's problem is in the Timing Chain. Their tech performed a diagnostic and found codes showing multiple misfires. Their answer is to remove and replace the timing chain, clean the fuel injection and the turbo and I forget what else, at a cost of about $3,000 dollars. They say that after replacing & cleaning all of the above, then if it still stalls then they could & would replace the fuel pump, which would be under their 10yr/100k mile warranty. I have areall problem with their sequence of repair as I brought the car to them to correct the stalling problem, and I think that they should address that first.  I guess it is possible that BMW/MINI will consider stepping up and covering some of this as the warranty is just over (51k miles). I will let them keep the car over the weekend and see what next week brings. I had a nice chat with Scott at Motoring Magic and will drop by to see him asap.

[jcmini562]

I hope it works out

[mOstyn]

Hmmmm?

[sixxgunscott]

I guess - maybe because it is the Holiday Season - MINI Corp. agreed to the repair and replacement of the Timing Chain under their Goodwill Warranty Program. Sue Bolger at Bob Smith MINI went to bat for me and was instumental in making this happen. Kudos to her. Thanks to all you Maniacs who responded and especially to Scott at Motoring Magic, my MINI has found a home for all service beyond this. Happy Holidays to all!!

[mOstyn]

Good!

[RR MIni]

When oil light comes on. They are then called "Idoit Lights" Cause it's too late...

[sixxgunscott]

Our MINI is back home. Runs really well, and the stalling problem is gone. Thanks to all and Happy Holidays!