9 replies to this topic

[rf178]

Hi Everyone,

I,m really running out of ideas as to what could be wrong with my SPi and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Its a 1993 dual plug Mini Cooper Spi, and is completely standard apart from a maniflow exhaust system

It revs around 1500rpm going upto 2000rpm at idle, although the mixture is still running perfect when checked on a gas analyser. The timing is quite highly advanced on tick over at around 30 degrees. I have had a fault code reader on it and it shows no faults, I have replaced the air temperature sensor, coolant temperature sensor and had the ECU fully checked for faults, all the vacuum pipes and fittings have also been replaced.

Really dont know what else to do

Cheers Ben

[jimmy westerby]

I had a similar problem, When mine was idling it was up to 1500. All you have to do is take the the whole air box off and there should be a screw, you turn it until you have your desired idling speed.I now have mine around 700/800 sounds alot better.

[minisilverbullet]

I had a similar problem, When mine was idling it was up to 1500. All you have to do is take the the whole air box off and there should be a screw, you turn it until you have your desired idling speed.I now have mine around 700/800 sounds alot better.

I have been led to believe not to touch the idle screw without having the correct diagnostic eqipt to set it correctly!

[The_Mistro]

ok, check the purge valve, to the right hand side of the block, above the radiator, there is a little black box with 2 hoses connecting to it, make sure there is no air leak here as this would cause the over revving! as its a pretty constant speed it could well be this, otherwise try the throttle position sensor, as the arm could of rusted a little causing it to stick!

[icklemini]

I have been led to believe not to touch the idle screw without having the correct diagnostic eqipt to set it correctly!

Correct - the equipment ensures the position of the stepper motor is correct....

Problem does sound like an air leak...
or a sticky throttle... cable too tight?

[harryh733]

I had a very similar problem with mine and only just found out what it was, It was the pipes that went into the purge valve as The Mistro said.
There is a small pipe that is connected to the purge valve bracket that joins the pipe coming from under the wing to the valve itself and thats what I found was letting a tiny bit of air in, It caused mayhem with the engines revving but I sealed it all up and its been perfect since

As said before I have heard not to touch the idle screw without the equipment to set it up properly, otherwise it messes with the stepper motor.

[minisilverbullet]

I had a very similar problem with mine and only just found out what it was, It was the pipes that went into the purge valve as The Mistro said.
There is a small pipe that is connected to the purge valve bracket that joins the pipe coming from under the wing to the valve itself and thats what I found was letting a tiny bit of air in, It caused mayhem with the engines revving but I sealed it all up and its been perfect since

As said before I have heard not to touch the idle screw without the equipment to set it up properly, otherwise it messes with the stepper motor.

Sorry to hijack - But Harry please tell me your problem (and mine) was one of the pipes going into the purge valve? as you said, this would be excellent news!

Cheers

[rf178]

I was also under the impression that you werent meant to touch the idle screw without the diagnostics equipment to tune the stepper motor.

I don't think its the throttle cable, we have re adjusted it numerous times

I'll take a look at the purge valve and throttle positioning sensor tonight and report back, I really hope it cures the problem. Thanks Everyone

[harryh733]

Yeah my revving issues were all down to a tiny air leak on the purge valve, the idle speed would jump between 900 and 1500rpm and whilst driving it would occasionally rev up on its own to about 6000rpm, the only way to stop it was to turn the engine off and on again (I guess this closed the purge valve and stopped the air coming in)

I removed the 2 pipes from the valve and noticed that the valve was slightly loose in the bracket, the small joining pipe on the bracket doesn't have a clip on it and so the valve was obviously coming away slightly whilst driving and letting air in. I cheated and used a bit of silicone to seal it up but it seems to be working fine now

The other thing on mine that could have been causing problems was the fuel cap, someone replaced it in the past with a vented one which the carb models had but injection needs a non vented fuel cap.

[robtheplod]

I had a very similar problem with mine and only just found out what it was, It was the pipes that went into the purge valve as The Mistro said.
There is a small pipe that is connected to the purge valve bracket that joins the pipe coming from under the wing to the valve itself and thats what I found was letting a tiny bit of air in, It caused mayhem with the engines revving but I sealed it all up and its been perfect since

As said before I have heard not to touch the idle screw without the equipment to set it up properly, otherwise it messes with the stepper motor.

excellent, pleased you got it sorted Harry - I'll remember this one!!