Total power failure on MC.

[tyler b]

Hi, on Friday I was driving my mums 07 MC Auto when we experienced a total power failure.

Conditions: 4:15pm, dry, speed 50-20, mileage 15,000mls, daily use 10mls, had been driving for 30mins.

1st Time, we had just pulled off the A1, I slowed from 30 to 20 to turn a bend went to reapply the power and found that there was no response as the engine had stopped, we coasted to a stop tried twice to start the engine and there was nothing (no sound no warning lights) the 3rd time it started but it was hesitating on idle after 15 seconds whilst gently revving it was fine.
So as we were 2.5mls from home we decided to carry on.

2nd time 1.5mls later when again slowing from 30-20 the same happened, started on the 3rd time again same hesitation, and headed for home as only 1 ml and 50yds from the house we stopped at a junction when to move and no response. Started again got home.

Now I know it wasn’t ideal to carry on home but we had no mobiles and the car ran fine between each episode and on all occasions the car stopped on blind/dangerous bends so that’s why we carried on.

We called Mini emergency services at 4:30 a recovery truck arrived at about 8pm. I started the car as asked it ran fine, so I took him for a test drive as asked and again fine. He informed me that they would not recover the car as they could not reproduce the fault.

So we phoned Mini Emergency again told the situation and that we were not happy to drive the car to the dealers as to do so would require us to use the A14+M11, we asked who would be liable if there was to be an accident whilst on the way to the dealers and they said that we would.

So after an hour+ on the phone it was left that a technician would come to check the car in the morning. At 9am the following morning we received a call from Mini Emergency to say that the car would be recovered instead, the car was collected at around 10am.

Yesterday the dealer rang to say that they could find no fault other than a minor problem with the VANOS unit. They phoned today to say that the car was ready to collect and that if the problem was to happen again then they would most likely change the solenoid.

I did search the site but could not find anything relating to this subject and was wondering if anyone had any suggestion as to the problem?

Thanks.

Tyler

[richg40]

Common problem. The tiny filters on on the Vanos solenoids get blocked with crap (originally swarf from when the engines were machined) causing the cam timing adjustment to go a little of the map.

[del115]

I had a problem with the ClubmanS that sounds pretty similar to yours.

It was taken to the nearest dealer (North Oxford) who diagnosed it as a failed alternator.
New unit fitted no trouble since.
I have no idea what a VANOS unit is, however they did not mention it to me

Regards