7 replies to this topic

[giles_g]

I've been looking at a couple of cars recently that have failed to a high reading, how critical is this?

Feedback from a local mini specialist is that it's a real pain and costly, welcome comments on this matter..

[Compdoc]

If you are lucky, it could be the lambda sensor itself. These are £56.40 from Minispares and do fail now and again. If it's not that then your looking at ECU and throttle body etc. and these are not cheap. By the way, It's always worth looking at the wiring, many sensors have been changed when the actual fault was a break in the wiring to the ECU. Obviously, you need a lambda reading within range for an MOT.

[Fast Ivan]

its critical in so much as the MOT emissions

 

The diagnosis and subsequent repair costs? that's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question really.

With regards to the diagnosis; the injection mini can be approached in the same manor as any other lambda equipped car, a clear, methodical approach will solve it and should not pose a problem for a competent mechanic.

What I would say though is that if you're planning on buying an injection mini then you should really equip yourself with the tools and skills to solve these issues yourself, because running a mini is a costly affair if you cant do a lot of work yourself, more so with the injection car imo

[Fast Ivan]

If you are lucky, it could be the lambda sensor itself. These are £56.40 from Minispares and do fail now and again. If it's not that then your looking at ECU and throttle body etc. and these are not cheap. By the way, It's always worth looking at the wiring, many sensors have been changed when the actual fault was a break in the wiring to the ECU. Obviously, you need a lambda reading within range for an MOT.

 

if he's lucky it could be as simple as an air leak that's solved by tightening a bolt, point is a clear methodical approach, starting with the basics is whats needed

[Compdoc]

 

If you are lucky, it could be the lambda sensor itself. These are £56.40 from Minispares and do fail now and again. If it's not that then your looking at ECU and throttle body etc. and these are not cheap. By the way, It's always worth looking at the wiring, many sensors have been changed when the actual fault was a break in the wiring to the ECU. Obviously, you need a lambda reading within range for an MOT.

 

if he's lucky it could be as simple as an air leak that's solved by tightening a bolt, point is a clear methodical approach, starting with the basics is whats needed

 

Your right. I had a similar problem last month on my daily driver. It turned out to be a cracked CCV valve part of the crankcase ventilation system allowing a vacuum leak. Valve cost £95.00 plus 4 lambda sensors ( pre and post cat on both banks, as part of a 100,000 mile service) costing £420 just for the sensors. So a cheap fix is all a bit relative. I'll never moan about a Minispares price again.

[giles_g]

If you are lucky, it could be the lambda sensor itself. These are £56.40 from Minispares and do fail now and again. If it's not that then your looking at ECU and throttle body etc. and these are not cheap. By the way, It's always worth looking at the wiring, many sensors have been changed when the actual fault was a break in the wiring to the ECU. Obviously, you need a lambda reading within range for an MOT.

 
if he's lucky it could be as simple as an air leak that's solved by tightening a bolt, point is a clear methodical approach, starting with the basics is whats needed

It could go either way and mot fails they don't go into details unless you were to call the garage and ask, guess I'd be looking at the worst case scenario, if I considered it.

[FlyingScot]

Your local mini specialist sees it as a real pain and costly..... The clues are there.....

So unless you have the knowledge (which I am guessing by your questions you don't ) or are willing to learn and invest the time going step by step, I would stay well clear unless you are the gambling type....

FS

[giles_g]

Yes you are right but I'm willing to learn and have a go, that opportunity has gone out of the window now and moved on seemed like too much hassle.

Gonna concentrate on the one I have for now, there's always something to do on a mini lol, so the clues are?? Stay clear...?