We took Molly up to Motorwerks MINI to have her CD player replaced under warranty. In addition, I wanted them to check out the "rough idle" condition we noticed a day or so before. This happened when we were parked at a gas station and just sitting there. It started to stumble between 500 and 700 rpm. I blipped the throttle and it stopped. Hadn't had an issue since.
So....
Jim the lead service tech. (and in our opinion probably the best and nicest MINI tech in the Midwest...possibly the world) started checking her out. We headed off the mall assuming we would have Molly back in an hour or two. We were a bit mistaken. They called us after 2 hours and had the shuttle pick us up from the mall. When we got back, they had a courtesy car waiting and took us back to Jim so he could explain what was up. When he ran a diagnostic test, he noticed that the overall fuel correction percentage (this isn't the correct term but I forget what is) was 7.6%. Another Cooper S he had tested earlier in the day was running 1.6%. Essentially this indicates that the engine is running in a lean condition and the computer is compesating by adding extra fuel. Anything under 10% will not throw a CEL, and over 10% will. But...he thought it was still too high. So he started to look for vacuum leaks. He found one in the intake tract between the throttle body and the supercharger. He wasn't sure if it was the gasket or the intake pipe itself so he wants to replace both. Unfortunately the parts won't be in til tomorrow so we went home MINI-less. However, he said this should take care of the rough idle issue.
Those of you experiencing the rough idle should have this looked at! I don't think this particular part of the intake tract was changed between pre-'05 and 2005. It's a relatively easy fix.
Anyway, so we're headed back on Saturday to pick Molly up. Good as new!
Oh, and Jim....if you're reading this...you rock!!!! You are the nicest, most helpful, and most knowledgable service tech we have ever met. Thanks for all the help!
-Dave & Stacy
"Sideways at 80 mph through the woods. Is there a more intense rush?"
hum...sometimes when i start my mini up...if i just tap the accelerator it stumbles...(not in a gear) then i will back out of the driveway and start to go and everthing is fine...i have had my idle drop once or twice...but my service engine soon light came on today so tomorrow we are getting all checked out..hopefully nothing too bad
The JCW kit has not been installed yet. We originally thought it would be coming with it, but the '05 kits aren't available in the US yet. So...it will be a JCW in about 4 weeks. Just haven't bothered to change the sig.
UPDATE: Molly came back from the dealer on Saturday. They replaced the intake pipe between the throttle body and the supercharger as well as the gaskets. So far, no problems. She seems to idle much better and power and gas mileage are back where they should be. We'll keep you all updated on whether we get a rough idle again.
-Dave & Stacy
"Sideways at 80 mph through the woods. Is there a more intense rush?"
Me, too. Every morning at start up, as soon as it's turned over, it's starts to stumble, and act as if it's going to die, and then after 5 sec tops, it's ok. I know I need to get it checked out, but after only having it 22 days, I'm loathe to give it up quite yet. As it seems others may be having a problem as well, I guess I'll make an appointment for right after our local Oct. 3rd rally. *sigh*
Baxter
'05 EB/W MCS
premium, sport & cold packs and HK stereo delivered 9/1/04, now featuring the auto-up circuit, the official i-pod adapter and a custom Whalen knob
hi there. having the same problem here too. check with the dealer and they told me that this is happening to some other cooper s too. but they have no solution for it. maybe i should just tellyour experience and hope it can help. can u update us of it since u replace the parts till now? thanks
Ooops...haven't been on here in awhile. Well...haven't had any rough idle problems since they replaced the gaskets and intake pipe. From what I've read on here and on NAM, we're not the only owners who have had the pipe replaced. If you've got a rough idle issue...this might be a good place to have your tech look.
FWIW...we also had the JCW kit installed in November. We've had it a little over a month now and no problems so far.
-Dave & Stacy
"Sideways at 80 mph through the woods. Is there a more intense rush?"
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"Sideways at 80 mph through the woods. Is there a more intense rush?" 
so tomorrow we are getting all checked out..hopefully nothing too bad 
