Long distance Diagnostics (BINI content warning)

[New POD]

So, I picked up my phone from the phone lockers after leaving secure site, to find 5 missed calls and a text message from wife, who was awaiting the RAC.

 

So phoned her, and she's with daughter who is driving home with RAC man following.

 

On the way out of Liverpool, the Bini (a 51 reg cooper), started to judder, and black smoke started to come out of the back.

 

So they stopped and called the RAC (and me - some 110 miles away).

 

RAC man can't find anything wrong apart from big hole in back box, and the car is now driving normally with no black smoke.

 

When I get home on Friday, time is very tight as we are off in the astra to Cardiff early Saturday, and Mx5 is booked in for MOt at 4pm, but I've said I'll arrange an exhaust replacement (RAC man said it would need replacing in the next month or so) and get it done Friday afternoon, and whilst they have it on ramp have a good look underneath.

 

But can't work out what might have caused the issue(s) ? Sticking hand brake ?

 

They are now home safe, but none of the issues came back in the 8 miles the RAC man followed them. Weird.

[New POD]

Very strange, despite the exhaust costing £70 from ECP (without a discount code), and if you've got a 4 poster will take less than an hour, my local exhaust specialist can do it tomorrow afternoon for £200. (After haggling)

Back street garage can do it a week on Wednesday for £40, but if I supply the bits.

[Parky]

Black smoke usually means over fuelling - some sort of throttle body blockage that cleared itself?

[New POD]

Runs fine.  New Exhaust and it's quiet too. Strange.

 

No fault codes stored. 

[Station]

Completely blocked Cat unblocking itself???

[New POD]

Completely blocked Cat unblocking itself???

 

Exhaust man reckons not.

[Parky]

Wouldn't be some sort of contaminant in the fuel? Big lump o'shite sucked up from the tank?

[JeeExEll]

Was that Dynamo The Magician hanging around the area?

 

May have been larking about with his Magic Powers.