Technical Service Bulletin # M120311

Date: 120101

Engine Controls - Check Fuel Cap Illuminated Or MIL ON

SI M12 03 11

Engine Electrical Systems

January 2012

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M12 03 11 dated September 2011.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT

Service Engine Soon Lamp or Check Fuel Cap Is Illuminated

MODEL

R55 (Cooper Clubman and Cooper Clubman S) with N12, N14, N16 and N18 engine

R56 (Cooper and Cooper S) with N12, N14, N16 and N18 engine

R57 (Cooper and Cooper S Convertible) with N12, N14, N16 and N18 engine

R60 (Cooper Countryman and Cooper S Countryman) with N16 and N18 engine

SITUATION

The customer states that the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. When diagnosed, one of the following faults is stored in the DME

fault memory:

^ DMTL Tank Leakage: Fine leak fault codes 27AC, 3140, 321C

^ DMTL Tank Leakage: Super fine leak fault codes 272F, 3141, 321D

CAUSE

Incorrectly installed fuel cap, evaporative system leakage or tank ventilation valve (TEV) that has been jammed open.2010 Mini Cooper (R56) L4-1.6L (N12)

Page 47

PROCEDURE

For all vehicles outlined above, always follow the attached diagnostic fault tree.

1. For all vehicles outlined above, perform the applicable test plan diagnosis module for the tank leak - DMTL, and follow the attached

diagnostic fault tree for the fault(s) stored.

If a leakage is found, continue following the test plan to find the resolution. Refer to SI M16 01 07 for troubleshooting procedures,

using the VACUTEC(R) Smoke Machine 625-522B-BMW.

2. If no tank leakage is found using the applicable test plan and the attached diagnostic fault tree, then review the vehicle history. If this is

first time for this complaint; the vehicle history does not indicate a single instance of the Service Engine Soon (SES) lamp illumination in

the past for any complaint, then:

Do not replace any parts and do not initiate a smoke test of the evaporative system.

Confirm the operation of the fuel cap and advise the customer on the importance of installing the fuel cap properly to avoid tank

leakage faults (see attached diagnostic fault tree for additional customer information).

If the vehicle has had the Service Engine Soon lamp illuminated in the past and no tank leakage is currently present using the

applicable test plan, proceed to step 3.

3. Replace the tank ventilation valve, refer to REP 13 90 500 for replacement procedures.

[NEW] Note:

TeileClearing authorization is no longer required for the tank ventilation valve replacement procedure described in this bulletin.

PARTS INFORMATION FOR REPEAT VISIT ONLY

Refer to the current version of EPC for the latest available replacement tank ventilation valve part number.2010 Mini Cooper (R56) L4-1.6L (N12)

WARRANTY INFORMATION

ATTACHMENT

Page 482010 Mini Cooper (R56) L4-1.6L (N12)

Diagnostic Fault Tree - Tank Ventilation Valve (Purge Valve)

Page 492010 Mini Cooper (R56) L4-1.6L (N12)

Page 50

Diagnostic Fault Tree: EVAP System Overview

Technical Service Bulletin # M130106

Date: 120101

Fuel System - Alcohol Fuel Blend Gasoline Usage

SI M13 01 06

Fuel Systems & Control

January 2012

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M13 01 06 dated May 2011.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT

Alcohol Fuel Blends in MINI Vehicles

MODEL

[NEW] All

SITUATION

Fuel blends containing a high percentage (above 10%) of alcohol, mainly ethanol, are becoming more commercially available. Customers

inquire about the possibility of using alcohol fuels (e.g., E85) in MINI vehicles.

INFORMATION

Fuels containing up to and including 10% of ethanol; or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15% MTBE (methyl

tertiary butyl ether); or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects

in materials or workmanship.

Usage of such alcohol fuel blends may result in drivability, starting, and stalling problems due to reduced volatility and lower energy

content of the fuel. Those drivability problems may be especially evident under certain environmental conditions such as high or low

ambient temperatures and high altitude.

Only specially adapted vehicles (FFV - Flexible Fuel Vehicles) can run on high-alcohol fuel blends. MINI, for the various technical and

environmental reasons explained below, does not offer FFV models.

Usage of E85 or any other high-alcohol content blend (e.g., E30) in MINI vehicles will cause various drivability complaints (cold start

problems; stalling; reduced performance; poor fuel economy, etc.); may cause excessive emissions; and may cause irreversible damage

to engine, emission control and fuel delivery systems, due to incompatibility of materials with alcohols.

General Notes Regarding E85 Fuel.

E85 fuel contains 85% (by volume) of ethanol and 15% of gasoline. Ethanol can be produced chemically from ethylene or biologically from

grains, agricultural wastes, or any organic material containing starch or sugar. In the US, ethanol is mainly produced from corn and is

classified as a renewable fuel.

Similar to gasoline, ethanol contains hydrogen and carbon, with additional oxygen molecules built into its chemical chain. This chemical

structure makes ethanol's burning process slightly cleaner than gasoline (lower tailpipe emissions).

On the other hand, due to lower carbon content, ethanol provides 27% less energy (for identical volume) than gasoline, resulting in

reduced fuel economy of E85 vehicles (approximately 22% higher consumption). Increased fuel consumption requires appropriately

enlarged fuel tank capacities (usually a 30% increase), and the specific DME calibrations for the E85 lower the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio

(10 compared to 14.7 for gasoline engines).

E85 fuel volatility is typically lower than gasoline (RVP 6-10 psi, compared to 8-15 psi for gasoline). Lower fuel volatility will reduce vehicle2010 Mini Cooper (R56) L4-1.6L (N12)

Page 46

Under certain environmental conditions, mainly lower ambient temperatures, ethanol separates from gasoline/alcohol mixture and absorbs

water. The ethanol-absorbed water molecules are heavier than gasoline or ethanol; they remain at the bottom of fuel tank and, when

introduced into the combustion process, they tend to form an extremely lean mixture, resulting in misfire, rough idle and cold-starting

problems.

Certain materials commonly used with gasoline are totally incompatible with alcohols. When these materials come in contact with ethanol,

they may dissolve in the fuel, which may damage engine components and may result in poor vehicle drivability.

Some metals (e.g., zinc, brass, lead, aluminum) become degraded by long exposure to ethanol fuel blends. Also, some nonmetallic

materials used in the automotive industry such as natural rubber, polyurethane, cork gasket material, leather, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),

polyamides, methyl-methacrylate plastics, and certain thermo and thermoset plastics degrade when in contact with fuel ethanol.

In order to safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle running on E85, the vehicle must be compatible with alcohol use. Some

manufacturers have developed vehicles called FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) that can operate on any blend of ethanol and gasoline (from

0% ethanol and 100% gasoline to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). Ethanol FFVs are similar to gasoline vehicles, the main differences

being in materials used in fuel management and delivery systems, and DME control module calibrations. In some cases, E85 vehicles

also require special lubricating oils.

Aftermarket conversions of gasoline-powered vehicles to ethanol-fueled vehicles, although possible, are not recommended due to interna

materials and DME software incompatibility, as well as the high costs of conversion.

In order to correctly diagnose various drivability complaints caused by fuel blends with a high level of ethanol content, refer to SI M13 05

10, Testing Fuel Composition for applicable tools and procedures.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Component damage/malfunction, or any drivability problems caused by the use of fuels containing more than 10% ethanol (or other

oxygenates with more than 2.8% oxygen by weight), will not be covered under MINI warranties with respect to defects in materials or