Wow, thank you for this information. I’ll give him a call and see if he has any ideas. 

There is a guy in Provo that used to own a Mini, and maybe still does. Anyway, he owns an Automotive dealership and shop. He could probably help you sort out the issues that are causing you to fail. I don't know how things work in Utah, but in other states there are some stations that are more user friendly than others when it comes to registering a car and smoging it. His name is Devin Dastrup, and his car place is: DASTRUP AUTO 475 N State St Lindon, UT 84042 (801) 221-1234 Hope this helps.

Thanks @MartinGreenBank. You’re lucky!

 

Yes, since it is an import it needs to pass emissions with Salt Lake County. They were convinced with the explanations I gave above (thank you again @Willie_B) but then it failed miserably on the tailpipe test. It needs to be de-tuned because it is running very rich. If you are local, do you have any mechanic recommendations? It is my understanding that even as a classic or vintage vehicle the county still requires it to pass emissions. I’ll do more digging. 

 

I did not know that Salt Lake City required emissions, especially on a 32 year old car. Can you register it as a classic? I have 3 minis and I have never had to do an emissions test.

Awesome, thank you so much for your help!

The first is a manifold vacuum port. It is there for anything that you would need it for. It does not have anything to do with emissions. The second is not a factory item. May have been put in to pull crankcase fumes out using exhaust vacuum.

All - I am new to the Mini world and am seeking a bit of help. I recently imported a 1991 Mini Cooper and it needs to pass emissions here in Utah at a government office. Today, the inspectors failed me because they (and I) do not know what these two items are. Can someone please help me identify and understand these two items on my Mini's engine? I have a single SU carbed engine (12A engine prefix).

 

The first is a small outlet/inlet that sits right behind the valve cover (closer to the cabin). Mine is currently capped with a sealed hose. In my research I have seen some also capped while others have a hose that is connected to somewhere else.

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GmexEWWGpSKemYHK9>

 

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X3cxMvMdQjZGH8cH6>

 

 

The second is a tube that seems to be what would connect an O2 sensor to the exhaust if the car had one or some way to text the exhaust from the engine bay. Again, I saw this on some 1991 12A engines but not on most. 

 

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3f4aMybETdHvWRceA>

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aZ4wEf6ATALRVMvR8>

 

Any help would be much appreciated.