307 MOT failed on emissions

tastyhog

307 MOT failed on emissions

so I too my car to ATS for its annual inspection and failed on emissions, was expecting it to fail on other stuff, maybe just me thinking some minor issues were worse than they actually were.

any ideas what I can do? will a bottle of cleaner stuff sort it out? the car seems to run fine just like it always has, no dash lights or warnings etc

These are the figures, don't look that far off to me.

fast idle test
CO - 0.63 FAIL - pass is a 0.30%
HC - 86PPM PASS - pass is <200ppm

Second fast idle
CO - 0.40 FAIL - pass is a 0.30%
HC - 32PPM PASS - pass is <200ppm

Natural idle test
CO - 0.39 PASS - pass is <0.50%

AdrianC

"Don't look that far off"? The first fast idle is more than twice the permitted CO, the second is only a third over...


Are the lambda results a pass? Excessive CO shows the cat's not doing its job of oxidising CO to CO2.

reddwarf2002

tastyhog wrote: »

307 MOT failed on emissions

so I too my car to ATS for its annual inspection and failed on emissions, was expecting it to fail on other stuff, maybe just me thinking some minor issues were worse than they actually were.

any ideas what I can do? will a bottle of cleaner stuff sort it out? the car seems to run fine just like it always has, no dash lights or warnings etc

These are the figures, don't look that far off to me.

fast idle test
CO - 0.63 FAIL - pass is a 0.30%
HC - 86PPM PASS - pass is <200ppm

Second fast idle
CO - 0.40 FAIL - pass is a 0.30%
HC - 32PPM PASS - pass is <200ppm

Natural idle test
CO - 0.39 PASS - pass is <0.50%

You need to provide the lambda values for those readings, it'll help to diagnose.

tastyhog

reddwarf2002 wrote: »

You need to provide the lambda values for those readings, it'll help to diagnose.

1.000 PASS for both

EdGasketTheSecond

Was the engine really hot when tested? If not stick some Cataclean in 1/4 tank and rag it for at least half an hour before the test. Then try again.

AdrianC

tastyhog wrote: »

1.000 PASS for both

Cat, then.

reddwarf2002

As EdGasket has stated, you should try a fuel additive along with some Super Unleaded fuel. That should get it through as the fail is borderline.


Just out of interest are you doing lots of short trips, if so fuel additive will do a world of good? If the fuel additive does not work then it's probably time for a new catalytic converter.

System

New CAT. Bottles of cleaner are only good for one thing, emptying your wallet.

arcon5

Agreed.
Cat cleaner night work for a marginal fail not that.

EdGasketTheSecond

Tarambor wrote: »

New CAT. Bottles of cleaner are only good for one thing, emptying your wallet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cataclean-Catalytic-Converter-Cleaning-Treatment/dp/B002BVXM92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529264814&sr=8-1&keywords=cataclean


Read the reviews. There's a lot more 5* than anything else and a lot of anecdotal evidence that it works. I've used cleaners myself and seen an improvement in the emission print out.

System

There probably are a lot of 5* reviews, gullibulls tend to not know when they've been sold snake oil. If snake oil was able to magically make a poorly CAT work again then the motoring press would be all over it.

Notice the common theme in the feedback? They all took their cars out for a long run, something it probably hasn't had in a very long time and probably all it actually needed. My grandad used to have an Austin Maestro that he used to potter around town in and it was as gutless as hell. I ended up inheriting it and after a few days of being thrashed 30 miles to work and back it was a completely different car, much better on pick up and better on fuel.