MOT Failure

[fredfour4]

Very unhappy about this.
OS headlight too low
NS headlight too high
Emissions to high
I have had no lights on the dash come on CO2s 0.653 and on the second fast idle test 0.329.
Any clues what the probs can be. ie cat air flow sensor, lamda sensor. I just get the feeling it is going to cost.

The inspector gave an advisory for the vr4 sill covers ?

[stuartturbo]

headlight normal mot adjust them for you but check the mounts incase on is broken
emissions how spanking hot did you get the cat what where the other readings like lamba hc. Yours only just failed low speed limit is 0.3% although mine was 0.02% last month

the advisory may just be down to the security of the fixings (loose)

[fredfour4]

Cat was very hot
1st fast idle. lambda actual value1.005 pass. HC actual value 35 pass.
2nd fast idle. lambda actual value0.997 pass. HC actual value 25 pass.
Natural Idle test. CO % vol 0.236 pass.
what do you reckon.

[AderC]

Mine scraped through today, took 2 goes to get it through the emissions test. Advisories on the state of the zorst (hopefully sort this next week!) and also offside steering arm.

aDe

[Nick Mann]

The only thing I can say is last year mine failed 3 times on emissions. This year a good 10 minute blast round the block and an immediate test gave me the right result first time.

[orionn2o]

the headlights is an easy job

How did you get the cat hot beforehand? Did you do it yourself?

[stuartturbo]

tick over will not get he cat really hot it need to be DRIVEN

mine was driven hard for about 15mins straight in to mot station and that's the first time results
I'd booked mot for 8am and arrived at 7:59am
Them results i'm even tempted to risk no cat next year

[stuartturbo]

1. If a vehicle fails for high CO at idle and /or fast idle then.... if Lambda is too low, the mixture is too rich. This can be caused either by a misfire or by a faulty Lambda sensor. If it's running very rich, the 02 and HC will be higher than normal.
2. if it has a high Lambda and high 02 (0.5 to 1.5%), the "CAT" could be faulty. Before condemning it make sure its hot enough to work, the Lambda and other sensors are working OK and the exhaust downpipe hasn't got any leaks.
3. if the vehicle fails for high HC then ...if the CO passes, the vehicle is probably misfiring. Or if the CO fails and the Lambda reading is too low, the mixture is probably too rich and it may also be misfiring.
4. if the CO fails, the Lambda reading is high and the O2 reading is high (0.5 to 1.5%) the "CAT" could be faulty. Again check out the simple measures above before condemning it.
5. if the Lambda fails then...if its too high the Lambda sensor may be faulty, the mixture may be too weak or there may be a hole in the exhaust downpipe. If Lambda is too low the sensor may be faulty, the mixture may be rich or the vehicle may be misfiring.

[orionn2o]

When Abbey motorsport did mine, the engine was HOT and then they ran the car at about 5000 rpm for 30 secs and then dropped it to 2000-3000 (whatever they do they test at) and took the reading instantly.

Thats how i managed to scrape through.

[fredfour4]

It was only the co2 that was high. All other readings were ok.
I gave it a thrash today and the exhaust was roasting. Then horror, lot of smoke. TC seal leaking and dropping lots of atf on top of the exhaust. Another job for the weekend or week.

[Davezj]

that sound like a bit more of a weekend job mate. I wish you a lot of luck.

[fredfour4]

Dont mitsi quote about 10 hours for this and a big bill.

[Nick Mann]

Yep. There is a fantastic article on doing this job in the members area. Could be worth the £20 if you go down the DIY route?

The seal itself is around £10.

[fredfour4]

Yep I have manage to squeeze the cash out of the wallet and join. I have had the seal for about 3 months. The TC seal was only leaking a pint of SPIII per 1500 miles. But I have got to do it now. 20 quid well spent then.

[Nick Mann]

Good luck! If you get lost at any time, post up - a few of us have removed the auto box, so should be able to offer advice if you need it.

[Beastlee]

Guess Mitsi must like you after the bill for the TC seal and service! As mentioned yesterday it's a rock solid car and I never realised it was you until about 10 minutes ago!

[fredfour4]

As said the seal is the cheap part. Paying the mechanic is the hard part even if though he is my son (rent free this month dad)