Have you noticed that your Mini Cooper’s idle sounds too fast? Each make and model of a vehicle might be designed with a different idle speed, or the speed the engine rotates when your vehicle is just sitting while running.
The idle speed is designed to get the engine up to temperature or keep it there before you press the gas so that it will run smoothly. Faster than normal engine idling can still be an issue though. If you hear it running too quickly when you start it, or when you’re sitting at a red light, then something may be wrong with your Mini Cooper. Here’s what you need to know if you may be experiencing a fast idle.
Is Your Mini Cooper New?
While the idling speed of a new Mini Cooper may sound fast to you if you used to, or still do, drive a vehicle with a slower idle, that doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong. The idling speeds of vehicles are different. Even on newer vehicles, the idling speed may be increased intentionally because the vehicle needs extra power upon start-up to run the many modern amenities inside of a new vehicle, including the entertainment suite. If you’re used to how an older Mini Cooper sounds, the new sound probably isn’t an issue.
In fact, the onboard computer on Mini Cooper’s can adjust the idling speed based on circumstances. So, if you feel like your idling speed temporarily increased, it probably did, and that’s probably fine.
However, most other reasons that an engine is idling too fast represent a problem. So, if you’re used to how your Mini Cooper idles and it is fast, then you may want to look into the following potential issues.
Cooling System
The engine’s cooling system and fast idle control system are connected and may cause issues with one another. As idling is meant to heat up the engine, and the cooling system is meant to bring the temperatures down, you can see how these systems might compete with one another. The idling system is supposed to turn off when the engine reaches a proper temperature, but it could have a problem that keeps it turned on. Or, the cooling system may be the problem behind this. Either way, when the idling system can’t turn off, the engine may overheat. This can do damage to the engine so it’s best to get this issue addressed quickly.
Carburetor
If your Mini Cooper is a much older vehicle then it may have a carburetor. This is an important part that takes in air and mixes it with the fuel so that it can be used by the vehicle. The exact mixture of air and fuel is very important and issues with the mix could affect the idling speed of the vehicle. This could be symptoms of a power circuit or accelerator problem as well.
Engine Control Unit (ECU)
If your Mini Cooper is relatively new, think made after 1995, then it likely uses an engine control unit (ECU) instead of a carburetor. This is a fuel injection system that is controlled by the vehicle’s computer. This allows a more precise mixture of air and fuel, which is advantageous for vehicle efficiency and performance. However, problems with the ECU can affect the vehicle’s idling speed and also RPM issues.
Air Intake
Not only must the fuel be mixed with the air, but the rest of the engine needs air to function too. Mini Coopers, and other vehicles, therefore, have an air intake system that supplies that air. However, if the vehicle gets too much air, then the idling speed may increase. It might get too much air if the air intake valve is malfunctioning or has a leak.
Vacuum Lines
While some parts of the engine need air, other parts need to be protected from incoming air with a vacuum seal. The vacuum lines need to regulate all of the fluid systems in the engine plus regulate other pressures and airflow. Any added air to these systems can cause serious problems as well as an increased idling speed.
As you can see, many of the problems that cause increased idling speed are air intake problems. Unfortunately, this is a pretty hard problem for you to diagnose on your own at home. Your local mechanics at AutoScope can do it for you though. In fact, we can help with any engine issue. Contact us today.