help lack power

[James burbidge]

I'm in the UK and Iv had a mini Cooper s for about 6 months now. Problem is I lack power after 90 mph Iv had 110 before but ain't too quick. I ain't a speed head but wanted this car because its ment to be a fast little car. The car is fast other than that. I just changed the throttle body as my car was going into limp mode. Now its all good.anyone else have the same prob with lack of power after 90?
My email just incase jamesrb90@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks guys

[marque]

Hi ya

Not had this problem but have you checked things like the SC belt is not slipping.
What air box do you have is it a standard one or modified type
Also have you tried resetting the ecu
Have you run a diagnostics on it to see if there are any fault codes from bad sensors

[James burbidge]

Thanks for the reply marque ,
I changed my air filter to a kn but then put the stock one back on because there was no difference. I have had a few garages try find something but withnno luck. To reset the ecu ? Is that a remap? And yeah I 4t the with the belt so iv got a 15 coming see if that was slipping. Do you think a service would do well. Although it's been well looked after, maybe a dodgy fuel filter. There's so many places to start to find couses. Thanks for your help

[marque]

Hi

What sort have thing ave been looked at to try and solve the problem?

The ECU on the mini's are called the DME different name same thing :-). The DME is self adapting meaning it learns as you drive, ie you driving style and engine profomance. If you do engine modifications to your car its advisable that you reset the DME. That might be why you had no luck with you k&n filter.
It takes a little while to learn.
A remap is basically rewriting or tweaking the software perameters in your DME this takes it out side of what the origanal DMC operates at there s no real need for this until you start to change some major things like cams, bigger injectors and very modified head
A service is always a good place to start, if you are going to fit a pulley you will need to change the plugs to a better spec you need to go up a heat range most guys change to iridium BKR7EIX these can be obtained from spark plug .co..
Always check the plugs are tight to they loosen off and strip the spark plug hole I fit mine and then check them a week or so after.
I would advise you to to fit a tensioner stop to protect your engine if the belt breaks.
When you change the pulley are you changing the intercooler as you will need to there are a few options,
You can change the fuel filter I will find a link for you it's always worth doing it never seems to get done

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...l-problem.html

[James burbidge]

Wow you know your stuff,
Iv got a good idea what to do now thanks to your help. I think a ecu reset is were I should start first after I change my pulley and plugs, I will look into this tensioner stop and see if I an get one . Iv heard that the ecu kinda adapts. Will the k and n air filter be okay without one of them boxings iv seen that poeple have that sits around there air filters. I think it's to keep the hot air away abit more? Many thanks

[James burbidge]

Is it it fairly easy for the garage to reset the ecu? And how much would you think it'll cost me, thanks

[marque]

Hi

It's a job you can do your self there are a few ways of doing it
1) disconnect the battery neg - terminal then disconnect the pos+ and touch them together for 30 seconds the reconnect pos + first the neg - last
2) disconnect the neg - terminal leave it for half hour then reconnect it
You only need a 10 mm spanner I normaly disconnect neg and leave for a while
Remember if you close the boot with no power it will not open. To open the boot with no power lift up back seat base and you will see a pull cord that opens the boot

[iddrew]

Yep james, i had the exact same problem last week. All you need to do is an ecu reset just like marque said. I just disconnected the negative battery terminal, left it an afternoon ( 1hr is enough but i left it longer to be safe ) , reconnected the battery, took it for a spin and was astonished at the power gain ( really, it was that noticable ). To make sure it doesnt happen again, everyday when i'll be coming home from work, i just floor it and drive like a mad mad for a few seconds ( nothing dangerous dont worry xP ) so that i make it crystal clear to my ecu that i DO need all the power it offers now this method is not the bible, just came up with it myself , but till now it's working like a charm.

Good luck with the reset, and let us know if it helps

Regards,
Andrew

[James burbidge]

Wow guys I really appreciate all the help. I just done that reset inside the car you no the one were you turn the key with the button on the clock ect. That didn't work. Just come the m25 with same problem got no gut up top end. Ima gona take the terminals off the bettery tomorrow wilst I'm working fingers crossed that might work. Because I dont think its nothing mechanical. Thanks marque for the good tip with the boot Andrew I'm hoping i had the same problem as you did that way this might work this time. Don't really Wana sell the car.
I'll repost tomorrow if the ecu reset worked or not.
Thanks again guy you save people a lot of money helping out
James

[iddrew]

No problem mate. I love this community

I will hear from you tomorrow, hopefully with good news

[marque]

Quote: Originally Posted by James burbidge (original)

Wow guys I really appreciate all the help. I just done that reset inside the car you no the one were you turn the key with the button on the clock ect. That didn't work. Just come the m25 with same problem got no gut up top end. Ima gona take the terminals off the bettery tomorrow wilst I'm working fingers crossed that might work. Because I dont think its nothing mechanical. Thanks marque for the good tip with the boot Andrew I'm hoping i had the same problem as you did that way this might work this time. Don't really Wana sell the car.
I'll repost tomorrow if the ecu reset worked or not.
Thanks again guy you save people a lot of money helping out
James

The reset using the cluster buttons does not work. The only way to reset it is to disconnect the battery.

[James burbidge]

Hey guys I reset my ecu but no difference . I'm hoping maybe when I change my spark plugs and belt (15% pulley) if may help it. Is it worth resetting my ecu again after I do the works ??. Thanks
James

[marque]

Hi ya

I would recomend it after any engine mod.
I think you need to try and find the problem first before doing the pulley.
Couple of questions
What air box are you running
Is it pull hard up to 90 or is it abit flat
Have any mods been done
How long has it been like this

[James burbidge]

Hey guys I reset my ecu but no difference . I'm hoping maybe when I change my spark plugs and belt (15% pulley) if may help it. Is it worth resetting my ecu again after I do the works ??. Thanks
James

[James burbidge]

Hey dude.
I got the stock air box and yes it seems okay to 90 . No mods that I no of on the car either. Maybe its a fuel filters? Or as Sead before the belt slipping. And been like it since I got the car last year . Getting me down this car. Always have bad luck with them.
Thankss