SPi fuelling problem?

[SPi]

Hi all,

I hope someone can offer some advice to me.

I have a SPi (96) mini. Not had it for very long. It has developed a fault -- after about a mile of driving, the engine almost completely cuts out (with the accelerator to the floor it just about keeps going). The only way to restart it is to floor the accelerator for about 10-15 seconds, during which it emits a lot of black smoke and sounds dull, kind of like having the choke out.

I'm suspecting an ECU problem. Could anybody throw some light on any of the sensors that could go or leaky hoses that could cause the above symptoms? Is there anything else that could be going wrong that I could check first? I'm really hoping that it's something minor and not something scary like a throttle body replacement or something! I have to admit I am feeling a bit out of my depth here, technically.

On a somewhat related topic -- it seems that there isn't anywhere in Dublin (where I am) with the correct diagnostic equipment to read the Rover ECU unit. A fuel injection specialist has offered to 'read the codes' for me but it would be so much handier to find someone with the proper diagnostic equipment. Anybody know of a garage anywhere who can do this?

Thanks in advance for any advice given -- just want to avoid spending silly amounts of money!

[irlmin]

I can't help You in Dublin but if you are ever in Cork We have all the diagnostic gear to Main dealer level for Minis both SPi and MPi , as Well as MINIs . Your problem could be several things but as a starting point I would have a look at the tiny black vacum pipe from the bottom of the ECU to the oil trap ( a little black box near the manifold with the black pipe from the ECU fitted ) look very carefully and I am sure you will find a pinhole . if not I am afraid it's the diagnostic gear otherwise it's trial and error changing various sensors , Just one other thing We have come across in several cars that displayed similar symptoms and the link was all had been started with jumpleads in the recent past and because of incorrect fitting or the use of leads with no 'surge protector' they 'spiked' the ECU and needed a replacement .but check the pipe 1st .
Gerard

[1lightningd]

Are you sure you didn't put Diesel in it? ol:

[irlmin]

Are you sure you didn't put Diesel in it? ol:

A Diesel Mini , Who would want one of them .

[1lightningd]

Barry, Alvie, Richard.............OH ya I see what you mean. ol:

[SPi]

Gerard,
You are a saint and a gentlemen, and thank you for illustrating that the true measure of an expert is not what they know, but what they share!
I followed your advice, and lo and behold I found this:



The green is a bit of masking tape that was being used to cover up the hole!

Replaced the hose and all is working fine now.

You saved me the prospect of a few thousand euro (and/or a move down to Cork!)

Thanks again!

[MiniMpi]

Gerard,
You are a saint and a gentlemen, and thank you for illustrating that the true measure of an expert is not what they know, but what they share!
I followed your advice, and lo and behold I found this:



The green is a bit of masking tape that was being used to cover up the hole!

Replaced the hose and all is working fine now.

You saved me the prospect of a few thousand euro (and/or a move down to Cork!)

Thanks again!

Could be worse places to have to move to!!!!!! :wink:
This is a problem on Spi's alright.
Ger is a mine of info in fairness.
Fergal.

[1275gt]

result 8)

[irlmin]

Gerard,
You are a saint and a gentlemen, and thank you for illustrating that the true measure of an expert is not what they know, but what they share!
I followed your advice, and lo and behold I found this:



The green is a bit of masking tape that was being used to cover up the hole!

Replaced the hose and all is working fine now.

You saved me the prospect of a few thousand euro (and/or a move down to Cork!)

Thanks again!

Glad to be of help ,
Gerard

[1lightningd]

He is great at the technical stuff alright........today I saw him fit a c.d. player upsidedown in a mini seven.......... ol: ol:

[irlmin]

Nawh , That was an optical illusion caused by 'flashback' of the last time You were upsidedown in a mini .

[1lightningd]

No it was not, there is no getting out of this one, ya spanner.

[irlmin]

I'll say it again , Alvin never let the truth get in the way of a good story .

[1lightningd]

You fecked up, you fecked up, you fecked up, na, na, na, na, na. ol:

[irlmin]

I was just checking if You would spot it upsidedown .