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thebunnymini
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« on: October 09, 2011, 06:36:35 AM » |
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i'm just going to copy and paste the email i sent to Atlantic autoweks because i just can't type it all out again right now... i'm frantically trying to pull together a list of shops and start calling.... any help, tips, anything... would be most welcome...
Good morning,
I'm not sure when y'all will get this, it being Sunday and a holiday weekend. but I'm really hoping it's soon, Your shop worked on my car about a week and a half ago, replacing the timing chain assembly and performed an oil change. (2008 MINI Cooper S, dark silver, Maryland tag 4AD R37) Well, my car just died on the side of the road last night, stranding me on this holiday weekend in Maryland, and I have no way to get back home or to Navy Medical Center Portsmouth on Tuesday to get to my job. The car has been running great since I got it back from y'all. Right up until the moment it died, I didn't hear any funny sounds, no steam/smoke, no nothing. And believe me, I've been listening. The play by play of when it died goes like this: Was sitting in a turn lane, idling, in neutral, foot off the clutch... when the light turned green I depressed the clutch, shifted to first, and tried to move forward, but in the space of about 3 seconds, my check engine indicator came on, the car made a couple chug chug sounds, then died. I had to push it to a gas station. When I got it to the station, I popped the hood and didn't see anything amiss, nothing steaming, smoking, protruding, etc... so I tried to start it... it had juice, and chug chugged like it was trying to turn over, but never turned over. I'm guessing the alternator went out. So maybe you can help me as I'm wondering a few things right now as I'm frantically trying to look for options:
1. was this something your shop may have overlooked?
2. do any of you know a reputable mechanic who won't rake me over the coals for a fix up here in Maryland?
3. if not, is there a cheap way to get my car back to VA to ou guys?
4. should i just take the damn thing to carmax and get something else?
Any suggestions are welcome at this time. I just need help and a way to get home.
Thanks.
Meisha Krutar
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BIMMINI
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« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2011, 08:08:06 AM » |
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Towing back here could be pricey depending on where you are, so we may need to find you a shop up there. Where exactly in Maryland are you currently located?
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« Last Edit: October 09, 2011, 08:09:52 AM by BIMMINI »
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thebunnymini
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« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2011, 08:11:50 AM » |
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I'm right beween where Columbia ends and Ellicott City begins... right off 29 & 103 (it's at the BP station on Columbia Pike)
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BIMMINI
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« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2011, 08:22:05 AM » |
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These guys are a short tow away, maybe 15 miles or so...you could drop it off today and maybe have it back on the road by noon tomorrow, depending of course, on what they find. http://www.minibaltimore.com/ |
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« Last Edit: October 09, 2011, 08:25:13 AM by BIMMINI »
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thebunnymini
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« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2011, 02:55:54 PM » |
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No one works there on Sunday.. nor at MINI Annapolis or Rockville! I've left emails and messages... i just wish i knew what it was and how much it'll cost... i just got done shelling out $1500 two weeks ago for a new timing chain assembly... i may have to trade it in... i can't afford problems like these...
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SNEEEZY
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« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2011, 04:06:18 PM » |
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If your car is still under warranty, you should be able to use MINI Roadside Assistance.
Have you tried getting the battery jumpstarted? (I would try this first...it may solve your problem.)
Surprisingly enough, most businesses are NOT closed for Columbus Day, so you will most likely be able to get assistance from a MINI dealership tomorrow.
Prior to this issue, how long had it been since you added gas to the tank? Just wondering if perhaps a bad batch of gas is the culprit...at least it can be ruled out if it had been hours vs. minutes.
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 Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly.
Laugh uncontrollably...and never regret anything that made you smile. |
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BIMMINI
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« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2011, 05:18:21 PM » |
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I wasn't suggetsting that the dealership would be open today (Sunday). I was merely suggesting that you get a jump on their service appointments by dropping it off on Sunday with plans to either be there in person or on the phone with them first thing Monday morning when they open the doors. Even without an appointment, I'd expect that they would try to work you in before lunchtime, so you can get back on the road.
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« Last Edit: October 09, 2011, 06:25:29 PM by BIMMINI »
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thebunnymini
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« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2011, 05:45:24 PM » |
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nope, the bunny hasn't been under warranty for a while now
i can't afford the dealership and the dealership doesn't cut deals like euro mech shops do
and i don't think it was the gas, i had filled up the morning before in virginia and drove 250 miles on that tank before having a single issue
and the jumpstart didn't work
and i have other roadside assistance thru my phone and my insurance
...... i appreciate the help so far, but telling me to go to the dealership is like telling someone in the desert to just try to find water.... i can't afford more than about $100 right now, which i know i could put down on work to a non-dealer mechanic and pay the rest when i can... dealerships aren't human, they're corporate and they don't care that i'm stranded
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BIMMINI
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« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2011, 06:22:45 PM » |
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Best of luck with this dilemea you find yourself in. Wish I could be more help, but I'm spent.
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wyldthang
Lurker
 Offline
Posts: 49
My drivers license says my name is John
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« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2011, 06:24:05 PM » |
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I'm very sorry this is happening to you. I'm not familiar with the area up there but the searches I done so far show that north of you on either side of US 29 on US 40 are a ton of repair shops. Midas, Goodyear service center, JiffyLube, Neubauer"s Auto repair(4 out of 5 stars), Sears and Merchant Tire auto center.
The fact that the check engine light came on immediately before the engine died, leads me to believe its a computer issue. Maybe some sensor connection came loose from the recent service. It could be any of them but, for example, MAP sensor, throttle position sensor, fuel pressure sensor or a fuel pump failure itself may cause this very issue.
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thebunnymini
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« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2011, 08:25:52 PM » |
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thank you everyone for your help... and wyldthang, i really hope it's something simple like a computer issue.... i'll be keeping this updated as i find out what's going on... thank you all so much... keep good thoughts for the bunny and i!
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thebunnymini
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« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2011, 10:00:40 AM » |
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ok... just got the diagnostic... goes like this
Work performed: Check for codes and freezeframe for proper diagnosis
2771, 2772, 2773, Random misfire detected
Misfire #1 Misfire #2
Note: there is a technical service bulletin out for this condition. Service bulletin # M120210
they recommended taking it to the dealer... *sigh* ....
i'm going to check with my insurance to see if my coverage includes something like this, if not, i'm going to call Steve at Atlantic Autowerks to see if they can do it, and if so, i'll tow the dang thing down on Saturday myself... unless with the latest development anyone has an alternative?
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JumpingJackFlash
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« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2011, 11:29:08 AM » |
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Those codes don't make any sense. According to this list of fault codes, 2771, 2772, and 2773 are four-wheel drive issues. Search the list for "misfire" to see all the ones that are related. The first thing that comes to mind is the carbon buildup issue that can occur on the 2007+ turbo models. If that's all that is needed, it should not cost you too much. If the shop does in fact discover your issue is related to recent repairs, my best advice is to discontinue posting information here until you can get it resolved with the shop up there and Atlantic Autowerks at a private level. |
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thebunnymini
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« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2011, 10:19:46 AM » |
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So, the saga continues.... got the car back to CFMini... they said yes (thanks jumpin jack) it was a carbon buildup... but they wanted $965 plus the $150 diagnostic fee to clean it up.... so it's at Atlantic now... should have her back very soon :)
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JumpingJackFlash
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« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2011, 11:53:04 AM » |
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Wow... ~$1K for cleaning? That's rediculous.  |
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