# 2009 mini cooper is misfiring **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 9, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214 "2016-01-09T21:39:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/21 "2016-01-11T01:08:09Z")
OBDII is mandated by the EPA. Vehicle makers must meet the minimal requirements that the EPA sets for OBDII engine management and diagnostics. This means the vehicle makers must provide generic diagnostic codes. These are the codes that start with P0XXX. However, vehicle makers have the option applying more advanced diagnostic means. These are called enhanced or vehicle specific diagnostic codes. These are the codes that start with P1XXX. So depends on the maker of the vehicle. And how advanced they want the diagnostic capability of their vehicles to be. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/22 "2016-01-11T01:13:57Z")
Sounds about right to me… Ive noticed big differences in the accuracy or claivoyancy of differing makes and model yrs. The codes are helpful at times…I consider them “suggestions” to be looked into. I think there are many variables outside of the monitoring ability of the computer…but it all comes together in the end. I’m happy for the suggestions from the computer…sometimes it nails it…other times…not so much. Blackbird ---
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Peel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/41988e/32.png) [@Michelle\_Peel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Michelle_Peel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/23 "2016-01-11T01:15:21Z")
The plugs were changed out 3 months ago. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/24 "2016-01-11T03:17:10Z")
Are the plugs the exact ones specified in the pwners manual or the underhood sticker, with the correct gap? Anything else is an experiment and probably more trouble than benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/25 "2016-01-11T03:59:33Z")
Spark plugs don’t cause COMPRESSION problems. All the spark plugs must be removed from the engine in order to perform a compression test. Tester ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/26 "2016-01-11T04:28:25Z")
True, unless a spark plug is loose or cross-threaded. In this case, the diagnosis of compression problem seems not very firmly established. jtsanders questioned this, above, and the OP has not answered. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 6:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/27 "2016-01-11T06:17:30Z")
My father always said, “Never argue with idiots”! "They’ll just bring you down to their level. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 6:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/28 "2016-01-11T06:23:46Z")
The OP is writing for her Son , the sons wife is the primary driver, the selling dealer has the car and should know what to do. All this communication means that actual facts might not exist. Any story repeated several times can change. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 8:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/29 "2016-01-11T08:22:48Z")
One potential cause that will register as a misfire that has not yet been mentioned is a bad injector. OBDIII was mandated beginning with all 1996 model year cars. It has gotten capable of posting more codes as the systems it monitors have evolved, particularly in the area of evaporative emissions and safety systems. As the EPA and NHTSA (OBDII systems also monitor body control failures) continue to raise their standards, new technologies have forced expansions of the abilities of OBDIII systems. In '96, side airbags weren’t required, onboard vapor recovery systems weren’t yet mandated, and stability controls systems weren’t required. As these mandates are added, they need to be monitored, and that expands failure codes. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 8:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/30 "2016-01-11T08:32:26Z")
If there’s a compression issue spark plugs are the least of the worries. Compression issues mean $ or even more $ depending upon the reason. ---
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Peel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/41988e/32.png) [@Michelle\_Peel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Michelle_Peel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/31 "2016-01-11T22:41:44Z")
Guys – I will post what the dealer discovers as the problem. While driving this piece of crap car to the dealers, the car died and my son had to call a tow truck. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/32 "2016-01-12T01:20:04Z")
> **Huh?** > > **I’d say that 90% of the vehicles that come into my shop with misfire code(s) are caused by one or more worn/bad spark plugs.** I’m with Tester on this…A few times one of my relatives or son’s friend brought their car over to diagnose a miss-file. First thing I check is the plugs…and so far I’m batting 100% on initial diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Peel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/41988e/32.png) [@Michelle\_Peel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Michelle_Peel)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/33 "2016-01-13T20:39:01Z")
The motor needs to be replaced. It threw a rod. Mini wants $12,000 for a new motor. My son had a 2 year warranty which won’t cover the new engine but might cover a re-built which another repair garage will do. It depends if the car is worth it. The insurance coverage might just total it. Wishing it was as simple as a spark plug. **This car makes CR worst cars for 2009, but it was the car his wife wanted as a graduation present, she is totally impractical. She laughed when I suggested she get a used Toyota.** ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/34 "2016-01-13T20:44:30Z")
@“Michelle Peel” Reading your last post it is not my place but I still would suggest that with your son and daughter in law you just shake your head and say that’s too bad when they tell stories like this and let them solve their own problems because what ever you say will be wrong. Been there done that myself. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/35 "2016-01-13T21:21:50Z")
It threw a rod and all they noticed was a mis-fire. Don’t get me wrong but are they deaf? A thrown red is usually fairly noticeable. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/36 "2016-01-13T21:51:41Z")
Pvtpublic, it’s her son’s wife’s car and she’s only conveying the information third hand (fourth if you include the shop). My understanding of the thread is that it was misfiring, and when trying to drive it to the shop for diagnosis it died from a busted connecting rod. This leaves me wondering about the root cause. Stock engines don’t generally pop a rod without some underlying cause, like racing from stoplight to stoplight with no oil in the pan. We’re unlikely to ever find out the root cause, but I’m hoping the OP will pass my thoughts on to her son’s wife. The engine itself is toast. I can understand why the 2-year warranty would only cover a rebuilt motor on a car that age, and that’s the route I’d go if it were mine. Meanwhile, I’d think carefully about what my contribution may have been to the failure… like was I monitoring my oil level? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/37 "2016-01-13T21:56:36Z")
@“Michelle Peel”, your daughter-in-law’s impractical nature appears to be at odds with your personality. To some extent, that is a function of age. I know that I was a lot less practical when I was young. As I aged and had to earn money for a wife, three children, a mortgage, and the other expenses associated with life, I became more “practical”. That is, I learned how to better manage my salary to match expenses. Fortunately, I had a lot of help from my wife in managing the expenses. Maybe your DIL will learn over time that impulsive auto buying isn’t consistent with her family goals. You might find that working on these issues with your son will yield results more consistent with your outlook, if you haven’t noticed this already. ---
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Peel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/41988e/32.png) [@Michelle\_Peel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Michelle_Peel)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/38 "2016-01-14T03:10:21Z")
I agree that something happened from misfire to throwing a rod. My son does work on his cars and keeps up regular maintenance. He did everything he could think of pertaining to the misfire. He gave up and decided to drive it to the dealer. On the way it died. Why mini won’t honor a new motor is beyond me. The latest…the insurance company has totaled the car. My DIL will never learn to be practical. He’s 45 and she is 38 they’ve been married for 17 years. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/39 "2016-01-14T03:36:37Z")
The insurance company totaled the car ? Please explain. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214/40 "2016-01-14T03:57:02Z")
“The insurance coverage might just total it.” - OP I think this means the cost of installing a used engine might be about the amount that the insurance will pay. OP is probably referring to a 2 year mechanical breakdown insurance AKA extended warranty. This might be one of those cases where buying that insurance turned out to be a good deal. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-mini-cooper-is-misfiring/92214.md?page=3)