New England Off Topic and Banter as Most Brilliantly Proposed by Cape Cod MINI

[jwardell]

Quote: Originally Posted by snek

Speaking of MINIs: My car has never had the cold start problem. But now it takes two or three tries. I think it has to do with ethanol in the gas. Anybody else has the same problem?

Absolutely, mine started doing it again last week. It takes about 3x as many cranks to get it started. I had been attributing it to the fact that I haven't had an oil change since March of 05!!! And my computer still says I have 2500 miles left.

[jcsinnh]

Quote: Originally Posted by snek

Speaking of MINIs: My car has never had the cold start problem. But now it takes two or three tries. I think it has to do with ethanol in the gas. Anybody else has the same problem?

Forget the automotive science. This is behavioral. Your car has taken on aspects of your personality. And you are a fine example of this well-researched phenomenon. Why, just last week, Norine was telling me that you have become a bit...well, you know, difficult in starting and sluggish.

[GBMINI]

No cold start still for me - I keep using Sunoco 91 and I never have the problem any more.

[Theo]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

No cold start still for me - I keep using Sunoco 91 and I never have the problem any more.

I think Ian may be on to something here. When my Mobil station changed to E10 (93 oct), I noticed a slight difference in starting up Koopah; not every time, but particularly first thing in the morning. I'd say it took maybe 2x 50% of the time for it to light the afterburner.

Then, about 1.5 weeks ago, I filled up with SUNOCO 91 oct after the Dyno Day in Sterling, MA and have been driving on that tankfull. I have not experienced any starting problems since then, just the 1x key turn and a smooth running start-up. I can't say that I notice anything else has changed, just the start-up.

So, it this difference due to moving down to 91 from 93 or was it the brand? Deal...or No Deal?

Theo

[jcsinnh]

Wait a minute, I'll ask Carol. Hey, Carol....Theo still having start-up problems? What? You say this weekend will solve 'em? Oh, OK.

[GBMINI]

Theo,
I've switched to, from, and back to, Sunoco 91 and it's very clear that, for GBMINI#3 at least, it likes Sunoco 91 ... see:
http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...ld_start.shtml

[PMello]

Mine started this week TOO! Starts fine the runs rought twice before smoothing out. I use Shell 93 (RI). I did notice that the rough part is when the A/R gauge spikes for a short time ( 1 to 2 seconds) to 16 to 17/1. It should stay at 14/1 or less while warming up.

Snid: how was Lime rock. How did the brakes work out (on and off the track)?

[Theo]

Interesting, Ian!

The "downtown" gas station my school uses to fuel its vehicles switched the brand from Mobil to Sunoco. The only problem is that they did not get new pumps, so I am stuck with 87, 89, 93 octane. Someone is working on a "school discount" program there for Williston employees. We already have a bulk heating fuel discount at a local heating oil company.

A bit outside Northampton there is a Sunoco with the full menu of octane. I may have to find a reason to travel that way every couple of weeks.

Theo

[RenaultF1]

I have to agree with Ian about the gas.

However, we don't have Sunoco around here and the only gas that my MCS doesn't have the cold start issue with is Shell VPower (93 octane in Maine). Since I've used VPower, it doesn't matter if the ECU is reset or I go from summer to winter, the car runs perfect. Anytime I switch to another brand of gasoline, I immediately have a problem.

[GBMINI]

I used to use VPower in GBMINI#2 but eventually it had cold start issues with that gas too.

It's all crazy really - this is supposed to be a "worldwide" engine capable of running on any gas, yet it can't cope with the summer-winter tweaking here. I'm sure it's a s/w bug to do with the learning algorithms but we'll never see it fixed now with the '07s coming.

[snek]

Quote: Originally Posted by RenaultF1

I have to agree with Ian about the gas.

However, we don't have Sunoco around here and the only gas that my MCS doesn't have the cold start issue with is Shell VPower (93 octane in Maine). Since I've used VPower, it doesn't matter if the ECU is reset or I go from summer to winter, the car runs perfect. Anytime I switch to another brand of gasoline, I immediately have a problem.

That's the gas I've used since the car was new. I'll give Sunoco a try.

[RenaultF1]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

I used to use VPower in GBMINI#2 but eventually it had cold start issues with that gas too.

It's all crazy really - this is supposed to be a "worldwide" engine capable of running on any gas, yet it can't cope with the summer-winter tweaking here. I'm sure it's a s/w bug to do with the learning algorithms but we'll never see it fixed now with the '07s coming.

Ain't that the truth...the current models won't be the priority for this fix.

Geez, I hope that my car keeps running well on the VPower for me as I've tried every other brand locally. Driving to MA for Sunoco fuel won't exactly be cost effective.

[jwardell]

Mind you, I never again had the cold start stalling issue once I changed how I started the car. I used to turn the key from off to start immediately, and it would konk out with the summer gas sometimes. Last year, I instead started turning from off to on, which gets the electronics going and gets the fuel up to pressure (as you can hear the fuel pump go for a few seconds), and after a 3-5 seconds, I then turn to start, and it starts every time.
I've just noticed that going back to summer, that start now takes 5 cranks instead of 2, or whatever. It all makes sense to me, and now I start all cars in that "more friendly" way.

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by PMello

Snid: how was Lime rock. How did the brakes work out (on and off the track)?

Look here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-...reports-6.html

I got yelled at for talking about track days too much on this thread, so that talk is moved to a different thread.

[Actual Size]

Okay....just to add fuel to the fire. I've used Sunoco 93 octane almost exclusively since we've had our 2003 MINI and never experienced the cold start problems. Also "no-name" gas from an indian reservation which has had ethanol in the mix for many years. Same results...no problems.

I remember reading some unfavorable comments somewhere about using Shell V-Power in the MINI, so I've stayed away from it. Besides, I get Sunoco 93 for 10-cents off a gallon every Thursday.