Engine disaster
Discussion
Our 2009 mini cooper has FSH, 69000 miles, and recent full service. Yesterday started to misfire under load, also created blue smoke after trailing throttle, symptoms got worse as our journey continued to our holiday destination. I’m guessing the engine is pooped and yet the only dashboard light appeared during misfire which cleared when misfire ceased, it was a yellow warning light.
Worst fear broken rings in one cylinder?
Just to add, no nasty noises and engine appears to run fine when not under load.
Worst fear broken rings in one cylinder?
Just to add, no nasty noises and engine appears to run fine when not under load.
Edited by crankedup on Saturday 10th August 09:04
Hope that it is nothing more serious, the cloud of blue smoke after extended trailing throttle was enough so that I couldn’t see out of rear view mirror! Then it cleared after15 seconds or so on throttle.
I will post back diagnosis for those that might be interested in outcome late next week.
I will post back diagnosis for those that might be interested in outcome late next week.
Quick follow up, after our weekend break we drove to ,local Halford and topped up with 1 lt of oil
Drove there fine and the 150 mile drive home fine. Engine did not misbehave in the slightest, as if nothing had happened !! It seems all very odd indeed.
Is it possible that whilst car was parked up for a couple of days the ECU updated in some way ?
Drove there fine and the 150 mile drive home fine. Engine did not misbehave in the slightest, as if nothing had happened !! It seems all very odd indeed.
Is it possible that whilst car was parked up for a couple of days the ECU updated in some way ?
Edited by crankedup on Monday 12th August 14:14
The ECU will not differ in any way after the car being parked
Water will dry out after the car is parked up. Has the car been through much/any water recently, I'm thinking about water in bad connectors causing a misfire
The other thing that comes to mind is the CAT, I'm thinking that it could have become slightly blocked or is falling apart and some of its contents blown out of the exhaust
Water will dry out after the car is parked up. Has the car been through much/any water recently, I'm thinking about water in bad connectors causing a misfire
The other thing that comes to mind is the CAT, I'm thinking that it could have become slightly blocked or is falling apart and some of its contents blown out of the exhaust
Penelope Stopit said:
The ECU will not differ in any way after the car being parked
Water will dry out after the car is parked up. Has the car been through much/any water recently, I'm thinking about water in bad connectors causing a misfire
The other thing that comes to mind is the CAT, I'm thinking that it could have become slightly blocked or is falling apart and some of its contents blown out of the exhaust
Thanks, no the car has not been subjected to any heavy rain driving, although it is not garaged . Decided not to take it to garage for the moment and see how it goes for now. I am thinking that it could be a bad. connection somewhere, as you suggested, that caused the problem. Certainly all. very strange.Water will dry out after the car is parked up. Has the car been through much/any water recently, I'm thinking about water in bad connectors causing a misfire
The other thing that comes to mind is the CAT, I'm thinking that it could have become slightly blocked or is falling apart and some of its contents blown out of the exhaust
Could of been a sticking oil control ring on one piston not surprising nowadays ring packs are marginal to say the least and extended service intervals not always helpful in this respect , smoking on the over-run is not always indicative of guide or valve stem wear high vacuum is high vacuum and just as easily can suck oil past piston rings if conditions are right
E-bmw said:
You are of course correct, hence why I said "generally more" and added the bit about start up to attempt to qualify it further. 
It wasn't a knock fella just a note 
see something similar happen on a Japanese super-bike of all things too once for no known reason not over-filled etc 
then went away never to re-occur 
filled the road with oil smoke even coated the ex can tailpipe then went away as quick as it came Sardonicus said:
It wasn't a knock fella just a note see something similar happen on a Japanese super-bike of all things too once for no known reason not over-filled etc then went away never to re-occur filled the road with oil smoke even coated the ex can tailpipe then went away as quick as it came
Makes you wonder if the ring ends somehow managed to "line up" briefly? see something similar happen on a Japanese super-bike of all things too once for no known reason not over-filled etc then went away never to re-occur filled the road with oil smoke even coated the ex can tailpipe then went away as quick as it came I've just noticed that the engine was recently serviced and needed a litre of oil to get it to what I assume is max level
This is something else for the engine experts to think about
Apart from normal oil consumption, nearly 1 litre of oil has very likely been pumped out of the exhaust even though crankedup may very well have not noticed/seen it happening as in smoking at the rear
This is something else for the engine experts to think about
Apart from normal oil consumption, nearly 1 litre of oil has very likely been pumped out of the exhaust even though crankedup may very well have not noticed/seen it happening as in smoking at the rear
Thanks for all replies and comments, I’ve ordered.craven oil dipstick to make checking oil levels s simple as it should be. The OEM stick is worse than useless.
Wife used mini today and it’s fine
I will keep a close eye on events. Will post back if anything comes to light. Thanks again.
Wife used mini today and it’s fine
I will keep a close eye on events. Will post back if anything comes to light. Thanks again.
This is perhaps getting boring now and I have to decide as to wether to change my car or get it to the garage for a health check.
Worked out the oil consumption now and it works out at 350 miles per litre. The garage service use 5/30 synthetic and I am to
i am topping up with 5/40 synthetic. When I opened the oil filler cap on a hot engine it was breathing fairly heavily from the oil orifice.
Worked out the oil consumption now and it works out at 350 miles per litre. The garage service use 5/30 synthetic and I am to
i am topping up with 5/40 synthetic. When I opened the oil filler cap on a hot engine it was breathing fairly heavily from the oil orifice.
Got to say the later Mini does have a rep for oil usage both FI and NA hence my comments on the minimal piston ring design and stretched service intervals and usage (gummed/carboned oil control P rings) the BMW M54 motors are notorious for this for example some do some dont same with the Mini 
got to say I would not be looking at worn valve stem seals either unless a previous head-work job as been carried out badly
got to say I would not be looking at worn valve stem seals either unless a previous head-work job as been carried out badly Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff