OK to make this long story short here's where I'm at I recently installed a Megan header with the test pipe and used an electronic simulator from o2simulator.com prior to doing this install I had a constant P2096 that I could only get to go out (sometimes) by clearing the code and driving my MINI like I stole it until I hit ready status.

Since the header install I have not had a check engine light (cleared the P2096 manually after the install), however I have drove almost 800 miles since then and have still not achieved ready status. So I scanned my car with a regular scanner (scan gauge wont show pendings) to find I have a pending P2270.... Is it possible the simulator is causing this code but its not often enough to actually log as a real error?

I verified the LED on the simulator is blinking so it is powered up and functioning (I'm assuming thats what the light means)

 

what are those codes?

i have no experience with any of those simulators, but the mini ecu is somewhat of a complicated beast. i wouldnt be surprised if that is your issue.

there are multiple threads regarding issues with o2 sensors as well as the megan headers. i had a few with mine. just search for them. if i can find the link ill post it here.

also, for your readiness monitors, it doesnt matter much how many miles you drive. it goes by temp cycles. 3 are required for readiness. so for instance, you go from cold, to running temp, 3 times, and you could drive 1 mile and technically that should trigger your readiness. if thats not happening, that simulator could be messing with your monitors, helping one area while causing an issue with another.

finally, as briefly as possible, i will say, unless its strictly a track car, the difference between running a high flow cat versus a test pipe, is only ~2hp. if you can easily change them out come inspection time, go for it. if youre worried about the light, you may need to consider a different route.

 

I always forget to put the code definitions, the P2096 is Bank 1 sensor 2 lean. and P2270 is o2 to stuck lean Bank 1 sensor 2.

I went the way of no cat really to be cheap, I don't want to butcher my oem header to get a cat on the megan header. sounding like I may end up having to get a cat installed. I may double check my connections for the o2 sim and see where that gets me. In the meantime ill be pricing high flow cats.

 

One thought....
With those codes...did you check for exhaust leaks....a small leak ahead of the sensor can let o2 in...leading the sensor to report lean..so look around...a failed flex pipe or bad/reused gasket are suspects....(assuming your o2 Sim has the tiny cat in the tube just before the sensor as opposed to a full electronic Sim)....

 

i have the megan race header. i bought the magnaflow high flow cat on amazon for around $70 if i remember correctly. it has 2.5" in/out. plenty for our little cars. it will say it doesnt fit if you enter the make and model in their "will this fit" sections, but it does.

retains a very nice tone and still pops like crazy when decelerating, if you like that sorta thing.

 

Before I did the header I had replaced the gasket and was still getting the P2096 code (assumed sensor or cat was bad at this point). The simulator I am using is an electronic one that wires inline with the rear o2, it takes over the signal aspect and steals power from the heater. I only have a pending P2270 code since the simulater/header install so the sim remedied the P2096 code but I have this pending code that doesn't seem to want to go away.

 

have you cleaned the O2 sensor as well?

even with a cat, that code would still pop up, i had the same code with a cat, pulled the 02 to see if it was faulty, cleaned it and reseated it in the bung and no more code.

not sure if the actual clean helped or if putting it back in did it.

but sprayed the hell outa it with brake clean, bunch of crap came off

 

Well today I got a check engine light for the 2270 so it seems the sim isn't working, guess I'll have to take it apart this weekend and figure it out :-(

 

Figured id give an update, still getting the 2270 code. No readiness status for me I think I might just give up and have the OEM cat welded onto the test pipe. I am going to redo the connections one more time, this time I plan on butt splicing them, last time I was in there I noticed the solder didn't really stick well onto the O2 wires. maybe I just have a bad connection

 

O2 sensors and the car is VERY sensitive to impedance....when splices and solder are done...wire length can change the readings as can the actual splice ...that is WHY "universal" o2 sensors in which you splice on the end wire are becoming a dying breed...the cars computers are getting VERY sensitive to tiny changes....hopefully you found the cause...

 

I am saving the same issue with an o2 simulator.
What did you wind up doing?
Hopefully you found a solution.
Thanks.

 

I am having the same issue! Did you ever solve this problem?! Hope all is well.

 

this code would never go away. I went to Long Beach Mini Cooper had it diagnosed they want me to change the catalytic and the O2 sensors had to do it myself because they charge so expensive. changed the catalytic and the O2 sensor still throwing this code there's no leak of any kind I'm trying to figure it out what makes it lean? I'm gonna try to change the fuel filter, which probably makes sense because if there's low fuel pressure it will cause lean but it should show or throw any other codes related to fuel filter issues has anyone tried this? changing the fuel filter or changing the fuel injectors? let me know and I will update you once I change first the fuel filter. If it's still doesn't go away, I will change the fuel injectors or maybe put a bigger, cc fuel injectors to make it richer .

 

this code would never go away. I went to Long Beach Mini Cooper had it diagnosed they want me to change the catalytic and the O2 sensors had to do it myself because they charge so expensive. changed the catalytic and the O2 sensor still throwing this code there's no leak of any kind I'm trying to figure it out what makes it lean? I'm gonna try to change the fuel filter, which probably makes sense because if there's low fuel pressure it will cause lean but it should show or throw any other codes related to fuel filter issues has anyone tried this? changing the fuel filter or changing the fuel injectors? let me know and I will update you once I change first the fuel filter. If it's still doesn't go away, I will change the fuel injectors or maybe put a bigger, cc fuel injectors to make it richer