26 replies to this topic

[MiniFrank]

looking at your photo, it may be that the air duct is too close to the filter. It should be about 10cm. I don't know if this could or would have an effect...just thought i'd mention it.

[Mini_Magic]

Did you adjust the throttle cable, I know I had to after fitting a K&N as mine was idling too high as well.

[1275john]

Still got problems with idle.
I have been swapping my air filters over and this is the difference.

Standard SPI air filter


K&N air filter


Im really stuck with what to do!
[EDIT] This is when the car is fully warmed up too

its worth noting that now the engines breathing suply is improved the characteristics of the engine will change on the spi it is possible to adjust the idle using the idle screw which is foudn on the back part of the trottle linkage which is conected to the stepper motor, i have used both 57i k&n and the pannle filter i found the insert filter if u drill the air box and use a dremle or alike to smooth out the ridges it will give u more power and be a little quiter too .

[lil dan]

have you blocked the red pipe up?

have you tryed fitting the standard filter ( all runs well) and then fit the K&N using word for word instuctions like MiniFrank did?

[Sprocket]

Still got problems with idle.
I have been swapping my air filters over and this is the difference.

Standard SPI air filter


K&N air filter


Im really stuck with what to do!
[EDIT] This is when the car is fully warmed up too

its worth noting that now the engines breathing suply is improved the characteristics of the engine will change on the spi it is possible to adjust the idle using the idle screw which is foudn on the back part of the trottle linkage which is conected to the stepper motor, i have used both 57i k&n and the pannle filter i found the insert filter if u drill the air box and use a dremle or alike to smooth out the ridges it will give u more power and be a little quiter too .

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE ADJUST THIS SCREW!!!! unless you have access to a diagnostic and can see the stepper motor steps!!!!!!





I think there is underlying problems with the gereral tune of the idle air, stepper motor and throttle cable adjustment. I recomend you find the best garage you can and get a diagnostic and tune done on the Idle air and stepper after following the Haynes manual word for word on how to adust the throttle cable.

Fitting a K&N filter is a simple task if the instructions are followed to the letter. any issues are usualy down to a problem else where. The injection system will normaly adjust the idle speed to sit at 850rpm when warm, stepper steps should be at around 40 at idle. I suspect yours is at 0 and well out of tune probibly because some one who didnt know what they were doing adjusted that little screw. The only satisfactory way to correct this is by using a diagnostic. You could 'Yeh Ha' it and adjust this little screw, untill the idle drops, then a little more so that the stepper then moves to push the throttle open and keep the idle at 850rpm. Thats is if the stepper is functioning correctly and to determine that you need the diagnostic.

Get a diagnostic connected

[Bevan]

have you blocked the red pipe up?

have you tryed fitting the standard filter ( all runs well) and then fit the K&N using word for word instuctions like MiniFrank did?

Red pipe has been blocked with the screw, and I have moved, and even taken away the cold air feed and no difference. I have always expected something to be up with the the idle speed as its always been a bit lumpy when at about 850-950, it doesent sit bang on and the needle with bob up and down. Also when driving, if the car is moving at speed and I break, as im comming to a stop the car will often jump up to about 1500 revs, as soon as the car is stationary it will slowly drop down.
I may well have to take it to my local rolling road, the only place I really trust.

Edited by Bevan, 04 January 2008 - 08:32 PM.

[Sprocket]

LOL, they wont know what to do with an SPi mini (saying that and most probibly be proven wrong ), unless they do general repair work on old cars and have a diagnostic for the Rover MEMS SPi, even if they do, dont expect them to know what they are doing with it. Maybe they do know. But I would ask first, dont just assume.

[Bevan]

They are tuning specialists, they have pluged a diagnostics into it before when I had my problem with the mini eating up petrol, the guy seemed to be able to tell me what the problem was straight away. I will only know if I ask tho. I really dont know anyone else near me that will know about this.
Another option may be to go up to mini sport for the day and see if they can help.

[Sprocket]

He He, no, I ended up fixing one that they couldnt, lol.

[Bevan]

Car is booked in tommorow for 2pm, the guy said he should be able to sort it out. Will let you know how it goes.

[Bevan]

The guy pluged in his magic machine and done his work, turned out it was down to the stepper motor. Someone had been messing around with it and apparently it was on about 28 clicks whatever that means. Anyways its all fixed now and it hums good now.

Problem solved!

[Sprocket]

Glad you got it sorted