Mini sprite question

[taupe]

Hi

Ive just purchased for Her a 1995 Mini sprite -- I know there are mini forums but does anyone on here know what should attach to the exhaust sampling point arrowed in the pic???

Should it just have a bung on it?

Thanks

Taupe

[kittyfell]

Ahhh - the April Fool!! Exhaust sampling point - very good..........

[billlobban]

Taupe I think its used to connect one of these http://www.go-dove.com/event-14226/Bosc ... lAodHA1BHQ.
You have to drill and tap a 1/4 bspt hole in the upper rh quadrent and I'm not sure but I think it has to have a left hand thread

[taupe]

Billoban

Thats a nice looking bit of kit.

And yes Kittyfell it looks like an April fools joke but - It really is a sampling pipe.

The car has a HIF 38 SU carburettor with a CAT in the exhaust (its Open Loop Type) The pipe is connected into the exhaust before the CAT so you can set the mixture correctly as the CAT affects the readings.

The trouble is theres no cap on the pipe and its spewing hot exhaust gas on the inner wing.

Taupe

[Dean]

Taupe, I have a 1994 1275 mini. I'll take a look when it's daylight tomorrow afternoon and report back. It looks a similar set up.

[bmcecosse]

Never ever heard of such a thing on a Mini ....... And I've had a few, and answered many queries on forums...... I believe your car is unique! And err - just set the mixture using the lift pin, as normal!

[taupe]

Yes BMC it does have a lifting pin.

Not unique- though its not covered very well in the Haynes manual its the last carb mini version before single point injection came in and as Ive said has a CAT fitted.

But my question is what/how should I seal the hole not how do I tune it

Dean if yours is similar that would be great thanks.

Taupe

[bmcecosse]

I think it IS unique having an exhaust vent pipe!! Sure it's not the connection for a Lambda sensor......

[taupe]

BMC

'1990 onwards certain models were fitted with open loop CAT converter' there is a union on the front exhaust pipe under the car and a pipe running up to beside the brake reservoir shown in 4c 3 of the mini haynes manual. This is so an emissions analiser can be used in the mot check!

Taupe

[Dean]

Taupe... unfortunately mines had a stage one fitted so has a different set up, it's also had the cat taken off. Although looking at yours my original set up looks different as (when I bought the car) I asked for the original exhaust system to put back on. I have nothing around by the servo although there is a big threaded hole on top of the original manifold. So I'm confused now... perhaps the emissions were tighter in 1995 or I'm going to have a job getting mine back right!

[Dean]

Taupe... I don't know if it helps but 4A page 16, talks of the gas analyser on 998 carborettor catalytic converter models. I mentions taking off the "threaded plug" and screwing in the analyser. Perhaps it is just this a threaded hole that has a plug fitted, then you unscrew it to fit the gas analyser when tuning? I guess yours therefore just has a cap on the end of the pipe.. paragraph 4 of 4A 17 talks of just unscrewing the cap from the pipe. It seems depending on the engine type/model/year the pipe is taken from different areas. I'd pop down your local motor factors and ask for a gas analyser pipe plug.

[taupe]

Dean

Thanks for looking. I think I will just have to find a suitable cap and plug the hole!

[bmcecosse]

Ahh - so it IS a Lambda sensor outlet. Never heard of it being used on the 998 though! Not much point sensing the exhaust there - because the MOT lad will stick the probe up the tail pipe anyway. That's where it matters.

[Mogwai]

Catalytic converters only effectively work in a very narrow mixture range & the carb will need adjusting with a gas analyzer upstream of the cat to ensure its running within limits to ensure correct operation of the cat .
Catalysts became mandatory in the early 90s & tightening emission regulations made this system obsolete very quickly. The only other car Ive seen this type of set up on was a VW polo of a similar age

[Dean]

Dean

Thanks for looking. I think I will just have to find a suitable cap and plug the hole!

I guess it'll have to be a tight one though... "Taupe how did you lose your front teeth".... "It's a long story.. but don't smile while looking at the engine while the wife depresses the accelerator, your gas analyser plug might come adrift".. "your what taupe...?"

[taupe]

Thanks to all for replies...

BMC its a 1275 auto

[Matt]

best join the automatic mini register then ;)

[bmcecosse]

There was talk of a 998 earlier..........and I'm not aware that 998's EVER had catalyst fitted. Certainly 1275's had catalysts fitted, but with a carb there is no feed-back possible. Sure your car hasn't just been fitted with a later exhaust system intended for an injection system, and you have found the broken off remains of a lambda sensor that would be used in an injection system, but is useless on a carb system?

[taupe]

Yes BMC Im sure. I can see it with my own eyes and also it shows and describes it it in the haynes manual as an open loop system etc....

[Dean]

Doesn't stop it from being a cute lovable little cheeky car though.