I have a 2007 6-speed Mini Cooper that has 44k miles on it. About 6 weeks ago, I took it in for an oil change and ever since then I have had a problem.

After the engine has heated up (gone at least 10 miles with speeds above 60mph), there is a chance when I push in the clutch to stop the car, the engine will cut off. The engine speed just drops so fast that the engine speed goes below idle and the engine cuts off. This happens only once or twice during a drive (I travel 45 miles one way through Chicago traffic, half interstate, half city driving).

Even if the engine doesn't cut off, I can watch how fast the engine speed drops when I push in the clutch and see the engine controller barely catch idle so that the engine doesn't cut out.

I called the dealer, but they said that it shouldn't happen. It is a real pain to take the car in, so I figured it would help if I posted here first to see if anyone else knows what is going on.

Thanks for any replies,

Rob

No question is too dumb to ask, right?

Any chance the dealer seriously overfilled the engine when doing the oil change? That used to give your symptom in old cars - though I would be surprised if the ECU of a Mini let it happen. Usually this effect is worst just as the engine gets warm enough to cancel the cold start settings.

Andrew

No question is too dumb to ask, right?

Any chance the dealer seriously overfilled the engine when doing the oil change? That used to give your symptom in old cars - though I would be surprised if the ECU of a Mini let it happen. Usually this effect is worst just as the engine gets warm enough to cancel the cold start settings.

Andrew

I agree that there is never a dumb question. Unfortunately, it looks like the oil is at the top mark, but not overfilled.

I was thinking that maybe it was a fuel injection issue. Maybe the valves are a little sticky or something and that is slowing the ECU response to keep idle. I'm guessing that something like STP Gas Treatment isn't a bad thing, right?

I've found that mine is set at 850 RPM.

Below that I got stalling and cut-off much as you describe.

You don't mention where yours is set at idle when warm, but if its ticking over at 650 or so, you need to get it increased. I mention 650 because that's where mine was set.

Good luck.