MOT Failed - Please advice

PerfectOne

When for an MOT test it failed due to the following:

7.4.B.2a - Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine.

2.5.B.1a Near side front suspension has excessive play in lower suspension ball joints

I've booked my car on Monday to get the front nearside ball joints replaced, is it better just do that one or get both the front changed?

I'm not sure how to solve exhaust issue, can anyone help? Thanks

mcjordi

diesel im assuming??

service it.. oil change and filter changes then a good run out...

scheming_gypsy

Probably better to get both joints done at the same time.

cyclonebri1

Thrash it to within an "inch" of it's life before the test, and that's a serious suggestion;)

Weird_Nev

Yep, do both ball joints at the same time.

As for the smokey engine... speak to a trusted garage. It may be a fuel additive can sort it, it may be that an italian tune up is needed (i.e. a good run at decent speed and higher than normal engine revs, i.e. a damn good thrashing)... beyond that it's hard to say. Petrol/diesel? What car is it? Normal usage? Does it use oil? Could be something like a dirty sir flow sensor causing over fuelling or an old and knackered Exhaust Oxygen sensor.

More info please!

mcjordi

judging from the metered smoke its a diesel..

Weird_Nev

mcjordi wrote: »

judging from the metered smoke its a diesel..

Ok, It's just that my 1988 MR2 was only judged on "visible smoke" for emissions, and I don't know how it's worded.

There aren't many non turbo diesels out there... 1.9 VW/Audi? 1.5 Peugeot? Smokey running points to fuel pump/timing if it's the case.

Biketrials08

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Ok, It's just that my 1988 MR2 was only judged on "visible smoke" for emissions, and I don't know how it's worded.

There aren't many non turbo diesels out there... 1.9 VW/Audi? 1.5 Peugeot? Smokey running points to fuel pump/timing if it's the case.

Timing Nev, on a diesel? Over fueling will create soot and you're correct that some fuel additives are very good at controlling soot which will get it through an MOT. Would be useful if the OP said what the car was.

molerat

Biketrials08 wrote: »

Timing Nev, on a diesel? Over fueling will create soot and you're correct that some fuel additives are very good at controlling soot which will get it through an MOT. Would be useful if the OP said what the car was.

Yes, timing. In "the old days" the mechanical diesel pump had to be timed in a similar manner to a distributor.

Biketrials08

molerat wrote: »

Yes, timing. In "the old days" the mechanical diesel pump had to be timed in a similar manner to a distributor.

Didn' know that, never worked on many older diesels, how far back are we talking? I know it's a bit off thread can you give me quick overview of how these work?

s_b

you spill test it
ie you move the pump ever so slowly so that when just the right part of the firing cycle is achieved it spurts diesel in via the injector
just like getting a dizzy right as said
of course nothing will work if pumps/injectors are worn out or the engine is using oil and its the haze thats failing the test