2005 Cooper S JCW - some techy questions
Discussion
Hi all,
I recently purchased a 55 plate Cooper S with the JCW kit fitted about 6 months later in 06. The car is pretty mint with 35k on the clock but I have a couple of quick questions I was hoping some of the more techy minded people may help me with;
Firstly, on idle it has a slight bump in the idle - like a little chug but not hunting and in 5th and 6th at low 2000s rpm on light acceleration theres a slight misfire (2-3 bumps then smooth again) - presumably not normal but what could this be? Dealer has been very good but they are a little way from me so if I can sort easily then that would be preferable. Could it possibly be a coil pack? If so how easy are these to resolve? The car had a full inspection 2, so including plugs, at purchase.
Left rear brake, at low speeds theres a very annoying squeak which goes away if the pedal is lightly pressed or handbrake raised one click - I'm going to take the caliper etc apart at the weekend - anything I should be looking for?
On cold idle the engine is a little rattly from the chain (assuming chain not belt here) area - could it potentially be tensioners needing adjusting or something more sinister?
Finally, the front tyres have a couple of k max left in them so I'd like to take the opportunity to get rid of the run flats, though the rears are pretty new - is it OK to run normal up front and run flat on the rear? If so then what tyres to people recommend changing to?
I recently purchased a 55 plate Cooper S with the JCW kit fitted about 6 months later in 06. The car is pretty mint with 35k on the clock but I have a couple of quick questions I was hoping some of the more techy minded people may help me with;
Firstly, on idle it has a slight bump in the idle - like a little chug but not hunting and in 5th and 6th at low 2000s rpm on light acceleration theres a slight misfire (2-3 bumps then smooth again) - presumably not normal but what could this be? Dealer has been very good but they are a little way from me so if I can sort easily then that would be preferable. Could it possibly be a coil pack? If so how easy are these to resolve? The car had a full inspection 2, so including plugs, at purchase.
Left rear brake, at low speeds theres a very annoying squeak which goes away if the pedal is lightly pressed or handbrake raised one click - I'm going to take the caliper etc apart at the weekend - anything I should be looking for?
On cold idle the engine is a little rattly from the chain (assuming chain not belt here) area - could it potentially be tensioners needing adjusting or something more sinister?
Finally, the front tyres have a couple of k max left in them so I'd like to take the opportunity to get rid of the run flats, though the rears are pretty new - is it OK to run normal up front and run flat on the rear? If so then what tyres to people recommend changing to?
Definitely DON@T have RFT's at one end and non at the other - they are so different in characteristic.
Make sure you tell your insurance company as well.
Can't help with the rest but am very interested as I'm considering an early JCW (or maybe an S) myself as a local 'runaround' to replace my recently sold 130i.
Make sure you tell your insurance company as well.
Can't help with the rest but am very interested as I'm considering an early JCW (or maybe an S) myself as a local 'runaround' to replace my recently sold 130i.
Mine did the same on idle, it only ever happened occaisionally and never got worse so just monitored it. I would start with coil pack though.
Not sure on the breaks, sounds like a sticky caliper.
They run chains and tensioners are notoriously weak, IIR they are plastic and can become britle so i would change them to be on the safe side before it gets worse. I am sure there are some upgrade ones availiable.
Not sure on the breaks, sounds like a sticky caliper.
They run chains and tensioners are notoriously weak, IIR they are plastic and can become britle so i would change them to be on the safe side before it gets worse. I am sure there are some upgrade ones availiable.
Rear calipers have a history of seizing but usually manifests itself as a spongy pedal. Probably first stop is a brake service.
The tensioner death rattle is well documented. If you have even a modicum of man skills then all you need to do is drain the oil & use a 17mm socket on the end of an extension to remove & replace the tensioner & that is that cured.
Slight bumps in the idle may be plugs leads or the ignition unit I.e. easy fixes or maybe an injector blockage. I would personally go with plugs, then leads then the coil pack itself & if that doesn't cure it then a deeper investigation. Worth noting that the car has an agricultural fuel cut off system on the override which feels like a small jolt around 1200 rpm in gear during deceleration - that is normal if irritating.
I've got RFT's on the rear & normal on the front. It's not ideal & I will be changing the rears soon - rft's are shocking & getting rid is about the best mod you'll ever make on the car.
The tensioner death rattle is well documented. If you have even a modicum of man skills then all you need to do is drain the oil & use a 17mm socket on the end of an extension to remove & replace the tensioner & that is that cured.
Slight bumps in the idle may be plugs leads or the ignition unit I.e. easy fixes or maybe an injector blockage. I would personally go with plugs, then leads then the coil pack itself & if that doesn't cure it then a deeper investigation. Worth noting that the car has an agricultural fuel cut off system on the override which feels like a small jolt around 1200 rpm in gear during deceleration - that is normal if irritating.
I've got RFT's on the rear & normal on the front. It's not ideal & I will be changing the rears soon - rft's are shocking & getting rid is about the best mod you'll ever make on the car.
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