No turbo!

[Lawrothegreat]

Well my car continues to have this problem. It will be going to another dealer in a few weeks time. The problem is almost repeatable in certain situations. Basically if I drive along at say 30mph in 2nd gear (I haven't experimented with different engine speeds) for 10 seconds plus, then apply full throttle, turbo boost doesn't start building until around 40mph, and doesn't reach full boost until as late as 50mph. If I don't hold the car steady at 30mph before the test it is (mostly) fine.

If I attempt the same test in 3rd gear at 30mph, the results are different. No boost for a couple of seconds and then suddenly bang, it's as though the turbine is fully spinning and suddenly decides to provide pressurised air to the engine.

In the first situation it feels like the wastegate (assuming the MINI has this) is stuck and then slowly opens allowing the turbo to spin progressively, in the second situation it feels like the blow off valve (does the MINI have this? - you can hear the air escaping when lifting off) is stuck - the turbo is fully spinning and suddenly decides to work.

Oh well I just keep reading about how turbos work in the meantime.............

If you held the car at a constant speed and the turbo or some valve shut off for temperature reasons then I could understand it. But this is not by design; if you were following a slow moving vehicle for 10 seconds and then went to overtake you would want your car to accelerate!

[kenatMiniMania]

Lawro, thanks for the update. Hope this dealer is able to fix the problem...

The R56 Turbo does have a 'bypass' valve that bypasses excess boost around the turbo. This bypass valve is actuated via a vacuum diaphragm which is controlled via vacuum fed from solenoids. These solenoids are controlled by the engine management system.

I suspect the software is leaving the bypass valve open when it shouldn't... but proving it is not that easy...

ken

[ianreeves]

Just to add to this.. We took our Mini out on Saturday and had the same issue. Driving the car it was just like a 1.4, just had no get up and go.

Car had no warning lights on or anything, but just no power. Stopped the car and left it, after re-starting it was all back to normal again.

Have dropped the car into Cotswold BMW to see if they can find anything, but I am not expecting much.

[ianreeves]

Well not sure if it helps, my mrs had the call this morning to say the fault is caused by the high pressure pump ? and will be fixed tomorrow,

Will find out more tomorrow when I'm home

[kenatMiniMania]

Quote: Originally Posted by ianreeves (original)

Well not sure if it helps, my mrs had the call this morning to say the fault is caused by the high pressure pump ? and will be fixed tomorrow,

Will find out more tomorrow when I'm home

Thanks Ian, looking forward to the details.

Ken

[ianreeves]

Well the car came back today as did I, the car feels great.

The bad news is I have no more info, all the job sheet says it's the High Pressure pump has been removed and replaced.

So sorry I can;t say anymore. The work was completed by Cotswold BMW in Cheltenham

[kenatMiniMania]

Quote: Originally Posted by ianreeves (original)

Well the car came back today as did I, the car feels great.

The bad news is I have no more info, all the job sheet says it's the High Pressure pump has been removed and replaced.

So sorry I can;t say anymore. The work was completed by Cotswold BMW in Cheltenham

Thanks Ian, may be the high pressure fuel pump...

ken

[Lawrothegreat]

Well here's my update. The car has been with the dealer since yesterday to have the ECU reflashed in the hope it solves the problem (it was pretty bad last week - I accelerated away in 1st/2nd/3rd gear and it was like the handbrake was still on - it wasn't!). Unfortunately it keeps crashing on updates so hopefully I'll get it tomorrow.

[kenatMiniMania]

We had the ECU software updated by the dealer a month ago, and so far the symptom has not returned.....

[Lawrothegreat]

Thanks Ken, that's good to hear. It has never been a massive problem, but it is there on occasion and that's enough.

Fingers crossed!

[carboncrazy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Den W (original)

Hi guys I had a similar problem with mine.. It was a software problem my dealer (ELMS Bishops stortford) had to get an update disc which took about a week to arrive.. So far so good (touch wood!) but mine is an earlier build than yours Dec 06

Den

Nice to see someone else from Bishop's Stortford on here. Never seen your car around though?? Are you in Stortford or surrounding area??

Joe

[Den W]

Hi Joe

I work at Stansted Airport so have used Elms as a matter of convenience, I live in Witham so also use Cooper's in Chelmsford who recently have been very good, I've had a complete timing gear change recently and they kept me informed throughout. Saying that I must also praise Elms who were also very good.
If you're interested mate our club ESSEX MINI2 has a couple of members over your way so if you fancy coming to any of our meets feel free!
all the best

Den