problems starting R53 JCW

[GT TVR]

hi guys,

Since a week or so my R53 JCW has problems starting: it takes 2-3 times before it wants to run, it then runs pretty badly for about 20 s. and after that everything is fine. It only does this in the morning; if I park it for several hours it starts right away without any problems.

took it to the BMW/Mini dealer but they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

any ideas?

thanx!

Edited by GT TVR on Tuesday 7th December 12:48

[jack_st]

give A.F racing a ring they might be able to help you over the phone, 01635 551231 they know bmw minis inside out.

[Pork]

Is the battery all OK?

[RKDE]

Most likely to be the spark plugs, leads, coil pack. Try some new plugs and see how it goes ~ they do act funny when the plugs are on the way out. Most other faults that cause this throw a check engine light

Edited by RKDE on Saturday 18th December 16:25

[GT TVR]

Thanks people, but it's not that.
It's now back at the dealer but even they can't find it. No errors coming up on the read-out. They changed the relay that manages the injectors but no change. Now they've reset the software. Wait and see, it's a bit of a mystery ...

[GarryA]

Coolant frozen?

[RKDE]

Still think its the plugs and guess they wont be checked either but the only other things to look at on the mini which can cause things like this is the throttle, cam sensor, coil/spark system

Seen it a few times where a car had been back and fourth to BMW and people have spent a fortune and they don't find the fault, twice its been plugs for the same issue your having.

Well let us know what you find.

[Refined Detail]

Fuel pumps have a habit of being a bit troublesome on these too. When you first start the car, can you hear it whir into life?

[GT TVR]

So the car is back from the dealer's: they've been searching for the fault for over 2 weeks but without result. They've done all the tests available, changed a few parts, talked intensively to Mini/BMW HQ, and even switched parts with another JCW to try but the problem remains.

They now say the only option is to exchange the injection unit at around 800 pounds.
Decided to leave it like this for a while (dealer assured me there is no harm/risk), it's only 30 seconds at startup and we'll see how it develops...

Very happy to have the car back, really missed it, had a great drive back; it ran beautifully, even better now with new software and plugs.

[GT TVR]

Car started to behave very badly so it went back to the dealer. They found out it was only a temp sensor ! 10 euro's and it's running brilliantly!

Can't believe they didn't find that before, but OK, all's well now!

[Pork]

GT TVR said:

Car started to behave very badly so it went back to the dealer. They found out it was only a temp sensor ! 10 euro's and it's running brilliantly!

Can't believe they didn't find that before, but OK, all's well now!

Good to know they've sorted it, thanks for posting the fix!