Emissions test results

[Gowf]

Just curious what the worst emission test results people have had?

Ive just put a VR4 (not mine) in for an MOT and surprise surprise its failed on emissions. Not in a marginal way either, we're talking about 9% CO at fast idle!

Not sure whats going on with it, at low idle its not too bad, just a bit over 0.4% but HC's are fine and obviously lambda is low (as it would be due to the richness).

Now, using evoscan, the water temp is fine, tps is fine and lambda sensor is working.

So anyone had anything similar?

[Wodjno]

Fpr ?
Vacuum pipe ?

or return hose blockage ?

[Gowf]

I was thinking FPR, as it would do the same with an overpressurised rail. I was told it had an uprated fuel pump in it, so changed that today with no difference as it was infact a stock one.

Vaccuum lines are all fine.

I'l swap it when i get back from the malcom wilson on monday and see if that helps, otherwise its map2 to get that fueling down

[White Lightning]

I assume it's got a cat fitted?

[elnevio]

Sort out your MoT tester! He needs paying in beer!

[Wodjno]

I was thinking FPR, as it would do the same with an overpressurised rail. I was told it had an uprated fuel pump in it, so changed that today with no difference as it was infact a stock one.

Vaccuum lines are all fine.

I'l swap it when i get back from the malcom wilson on monday and see if that helps, otherwise its map2 to get that fueling down

Quick way to check the Fuel return is to take off the pipe and fit your own bit and stick it in a bucket !

Also try the Vapour Canister.. If the valve is stuck open then it will allow unmetered fuel vapour laden air into the manifold.

[Gowf]

Yeah was going to stick an adjustable in there, but its up to the man to give the go ahead. if there was one fitted then there'd be no problem, just lower the pressure enough.

There is a cat, it wouldnt have been able to pass the HC without one.

Going for a 100% legal MOT on this as its not my car

[aboo]

Getting worried about all this talk of emissions the last couple of days as my cars going in for its MOT next week & I'm getting smell of fuel every now & again but I think thats normal??

[Davezj]

i always worry about emissions test on my car.

i take it to the garage and say i am worried about the emissions test. i say if you need to take it out for a thrash to get the CAT nice and hot.

they always tell me not to worry about the emission they will get it through the test.

my car has always passed it's emissions test first time. i am not sure how, and quite frankly i never ask. i just take the certificate and say thank you.

they have picked me up on other things like track rodends and headlight alignment, etc, but never emission.

anybody want the address, it is in south manchester.

[Gowf]

It may be worth the drive!

[swinks]

Few years ago I had similar symptoms in a different car.
One bottle of "fuel injectors cleaner" per 1/3 tank and good abuse of car on 3rd gear (60-70mph) in a distance of 15 miles did all good job. Passed.

Not expensive to try

[Ghost_2008]

I thought that as the VR4 was never officially registered as a British car, the emissions tester could test emissions as if the car did not have a cat?

I see a thread here a while ago and I enquired as I do not have a cat fitted..... however I took my car to a very friendly MOT tester.............

If any one knows this to be absolute rubbish please let me know and I get a sports cat fitted.......

[pitslayer]

ill be going to a friendly mot tester thats all, get to know a garage owner last year they put the looked up the car on the system briefly, "meh cant find it, go through with visible emissions, but we will check it anyways" I think was the comment

[colVR4]

Never had any emissions problems with my car. All the readings are very low.

[big stan]

i actually rang vosa last week and was told that the car is eligible for a non cat test. only tested at idle. i have a decat fitted anybody know if this would fail at idle? if theres any doubt i will put the cat back on for the test.stan

[elnevio]

Fancy a drive to Brimington Stan? I have a friendly tester!


As for VOSA - that's good to hear - but do you reckon you could get something in writing for this - like an email, or even better, a letter? This would be highly useful information to a number of members (might even be a rep-earner for you! ).

[miller]

yes it will pass with the decat on it. the limit on non cat test at idle is something like 300ppm where the VR4 wont kick out anywhere near that much on idle
Figures are from memory so will be sketchy! you get the drift though

Mike

[Eurospec]

We often have a right nightmare getting them through emmissions. Vosa are correct in what they say ref imports, but also, since there is an official UK version of the same car, the tester can choose to test it on that basis- which most including our mot place, do.

HC will almost always pass, Lambda is simple enough to deal with in a stock car- normally lamda sensor, or water temp sensor, but Co is normally the issue which requires the use of a known good cat.

A couple of good tricks are:-

Remove all the seats except the drivers. It is now blatently a vehicle incapable of carrying passengers. These have the same very easy emissions schedule as the like of an LGV. Cake to pass. Our MOT station is wise to this one now and wants to see the v5 to prove the status as a non passenger vehicle. With modded RX7's is often the only way though!

This one we havent tried yet, however........

If the vehicle doesnt run on petrol or diesel, eg bio-ethanol, it again has a very different and easy emissions stds. Our MOT garage confirms this will work, but they want evidence of it running on 'alternate fuel', eg we have to take a drum with us so they can see it isnt petrol. (You dont of course put bio ethanol in it- its super corrosive to soft metals like ally and to the rubber components in the fuel system)

Cheers,

Ben.

[Ghost_2008]

Hi Benh,

I was told that the Ralliart Official imports didnt have the emissions recorded as even the Ralliart imports were not officially recognised????

Which is sort of confirmed by Big Stan and his call to VOSA, I think I may persue that via e-mail and see if I/we can get anything in writing from them......

[orionn2o]

This is certainly an intersting trail to follow up.

If we could get written proof from VOSA it woulod certainly save a lot of future hassle!

Having said that, perhaps when this car that Gowf has gets a new FPR. I'd be interested to know if this improves things.