Stalling problem solved
 

I'm throwing this out in case anyone else runs into this issue and it may help in solving it.

I have a 2003 Mini Cooper with 122K miles that developed a problem with stalling at idle. New problems that also appeared were a recurring check engine light and a Check Filler Cap warning (which a new filler cap did not fix). An independent mechanic traced the problem to a failed purge valve in the fuel/emissions system (after the dealer had misdiagnosed it twice, once as a weak battery and once as a problem with the A/C compressor - the former I let them fix, the latter I did not).

To give you an idea of the level of service at my repair place, to test the diagnosis the owner took the purge valve off his own '03 Cooper, installed it on mine and drove my car for half an hour, and the problem disappeared.

Location of purge valve
 

Hello, Would you advise where the purge valve is? I have a '03 and also experience the same problem. Thank you very much.

I didn't ask exactly where it is and did not have the shop show it to me. I gather that it's under the hood.

asdfa

did you figure out where it is?

According to Haynes (whose repair manuals I have trusted for years with a variety of cars), it is located on a bracket adjacent to the right hand motor mount.

It looks like this. It's a common part for a lot of vehicles. Search by this number on eBay 01997278. I changed it and it helped the stalling problem a bit. Hope it helps.
http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/se...tml?sort=3&o=3

Another thing that may help to identify the fuel purge valve as the culprit: The stalling gets worse after you have just filled the tank. After a fill-up I had to really struggle to keep the engine running for the first few seconds. If I didn't stay on the accelerator, the engine would immediately die as soon as the ignition lit off.

I think this is what you were looking for " Fuel Tank Breather Valve " located up near the engine mount near the fuel rail.

Part number 13907572086


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/13907572086/ES35625/

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/383148_x600.jpg

Thanks

asdfa