I have been going nuts with this car. It has a high oil cunsumption but Im told its ok per mini 1 qt per 600 miles. But now Ived noticed brownish smoke when accellerating from stop and between gears a puff of brownish smoke. Wondering if its oil, carbon or running rich. I cant get an answer from mech so I keep wondering no codes. my wifes car and she does drive it cold, stop and go short distance. If it were running rich like a bad o2 or something how could I tell. Would I have to run a smog test only to see how it reads Just wondering could it be carbon. I think it has a rich problem.

 

Your not running rich, your burning oil. What model, year and mileage do you have.

 

If your long term fuel trim was skewed on the maximum allowable "rich" side, you'd get a check engine light. If that light is not on, chase something else. That said, the car does run slightly on the rich side, hence the black sooty tailpipes that show up quickly. However, it's not so rich to cause a concern.

I still can't believe MINI tells people burning a full quart in 600 miles is normal. When I had my R56 it barely needed any after 7500 miles. I think that had to do with my break-in procedure that I used. Driving it very hard from day 1.

Based on the description of your driving, I wouldn't be surprised if you do have lots of carbon buildup, but also lots of particulates built up in your exhaust. Driving stop and go short distances without letting the car get up to operating temperature is what causes the most carbon buildup on the Cooper S. Don't be afraid to get that car on an open road and let it rip.

 

Thanks for reply. thats what Im looking for.

 

Gas is Black , oil is white , brown I have no clue.

 

That helps.