 | Home > Off Topic > 2009 Mini - failed MOT |
 
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6346   
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One for those that know their oils.
took my daughter Mini for an MOT and the short story is it failed on Emmissions (didn't fail first time round on emmissions). Lamda - fail. I'm lead to believe this could have been a result of the exhaust leaking at joint after I removed / refitted. Anyhow after having another go at jointing the exhaust along with exhuast paste. I've also put aload of Catoclean in the fuel and replaced the spark plugs. While at it I noticed the was little / no oil in the engine so chucked a few litres of some basic oil in until I do a proper oil change with filter etc. anyhow now the the hydro carbons have gone from 10 to 210 - 200 being the limit. so now a fail on the hydrocarbons. 
any thoughts - I'm wondering if the Catoclean was doing its stuff and cleaning all the hyrdrocarbons out the exhaust at the time of testing? are there any oils out there I should be using that would minimise the hydrocarbon result as the tester suggested the piston rings have gone and hence the problem?  |
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17th Jun 2025 8:16pm |
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| BrickBox Member Since: 05 Oct 2021 Location: Wales Posts: 995  
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Have you taken the car for a good run to get it right up to temp? 2008 2.4 110 Utility Station Wagon XS.
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17th Jun 2025 8:57pm |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6346
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I did do a 20 min fairly quick drive before hand but then it was sat for 20mins before it went for the test
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17th Jun 2025 9:24pm |
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| lightning Member Since: 23 Apr 2009 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 3210 
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lt's common for the valve guides to fail on these older Minis.
The engine then burns oil, which is why there was none left in the sump. lt may be that refilling it with oil has increased emissions as it gets into the cylinders. |
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20th Jun 2025 5:17pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3578  
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Could be that basic oil is not holding the viscosity well. I would go for a higher viscosity oil… do not let the engine idle too much, as that creates more vacuum sucking oil in, especially before the test. If the test center is close by, better as you have a warm engine but cooler oil. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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21st Jun 2025 7:29am |
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| Clemmo Member Since: 03 Aug 2012 Location: Mile Oak Posts: 1256 
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Pistons rings gone would mean blue clouds of smoke of revving..??
I would use correct Oil Fresh Filters Unleaded extra with a heavy dose of additive. Good 40 minute run up the M42.  Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow....
Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!) MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun |
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21st Jun 2025 9:48am |
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