Topic

The car went back for the re-test today and again failed on the emissions with high CO readings (circa 0.6-0.7).
So far i've given it a service, cataclean, Italian tune up, new air filter, plugs, leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm and cleaned the IAVC.

Last year it had a new cat (cheap) and a lambda and just squeeked through.

I had the test done at Kwik-fit and they believe that a new cat will do it at £175 but i'm not sure it's the problem. They did say if it doesn't pass the MOT then I don't have to buy the cat they will just put my old one back on.

The only part that seems to get mentioned a lot but I haven't changed is the coolant temp sensor (brown one) I think I tried to remove this last year but it didn't want to move and it didn't seem like a part you could put too much force on.
Do you think this is worth changing first prior to trying the cat?

DMC77 wrote: wrote:

The car went back for the re-test today and again failed on the emissions with high CO readings (circa 0.6-0.7).
So far i've given it a service, cataclean, Italian tune up, new air filter, plugs, leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm and cleaned the IAVC.

Last year it had a new cat (cheap) and a lambda and just squeeked through.

I had the test done at Kwik-fit and they believe that a new cat will do it at £175 but i'm not sure it's the problem. They did say if it doesn't pass the MOT then I don't have to buy the cat they will just put my old one back on.

The only part that seems to get mentioned a lot but I haven't changed is the coolant temp sensor (brown one) I think I tried to remove this last year but it didn't want to move and it didn't seem like a part you could put too much force on.
Do you think this is worth changing first prior to trying the cat?

Are you in the Truro area? I have a new temp sensor (brown one p/n MEK100060) bought in error as mine is the black sensor.

You are welcome to it if you want to pick it up, we are in the Falmouth area.

Send me a PM if you want it.

Brian.

Hi DMC77
I had the same problem with emissions and took the car to my mechanic who tested all the sensors [ with a £400 diagnostic machine ] and fond one not working replaced it and all was well

Thanks for the offer Brian but I ordered one last night from Euro Carparts for £12. For that money I may as well change it.

Helsbyman,

I don't suppose you can remember which sensor you had to replace ?

DMC77 wrote: wrote:

Thanks for the offer Brian but I ordered one last night from Euro Carparts for £12. For that money I may as well change it.

Helsbyman,

I don't suppose you can remember which sensor you had to replace ?

The coolant sensor that sends the info to the ECU is the upper one on the aluminium coolant outlet elbow on the cylinder head (flywheel end exhaust manifold side) The lower sensor on the same elbow only send information to the gauge and has no input to the engine management system.

Brian.

Yes the one before the cat

The car goes in for another test tomorrow. I've changed the temp sensor and finally got a cat to fit tonight after euro car parts got me one with a pre-cat lambda even though I told them I only had the one lambda in the manifold.

Would removing the air filter for the test help in reducing the CO readings?

DMC77 wrote: wrote:

The car goes in for another test tomorrow. I've changed the temp sensor and finally got a cat to fit tonight after euro car parts got me one with a pre-cat lambda even though I told them I only had the one lambda in the manifold.

Would removing the air filter for the test help in reducing the CO readings?

Probably not as the pressure and temp sensors in the inlet manifold are post the throttle butterfly; but if you think the air filter is dirty or needs changing then definitely fit a new one prior the test.

Good luck.

Well she passed the MOT today so good to go for another year.
Don't know if it was the coolant sensor or the cat but one of them did the trick.

Now I've managed to download some photos I thought I would share my first attempt at welding. It certainly isn't the neatest bit of work but with only half an hour of practice and shaping the panel with a lump hammer over a kerb it could have been a lot worse.
Now it's passed the MOT I will spend a bit more time on the filler and spray it in the right colour rather than the hammerite that's on it at the moment.

If I managed it and you're not worried if it's a bit rough around the edges then I would recommend any one to have a go. It is a bit daunting though when you're actually cutting away the old panel and you're staring at a big hole.

Congratulations on getting the pass , you certainly worked hard for it.

Welding is something I've yet to try. Maybe I should get some kit and practice before I actually need it.

It was definitely a steep learning curve and took me a whole weekend but it was quite satisfying in the end.
If you're going to do a fair bit of welding you can pick up a gasless mig for the cost of a few hours labour and you will still have a welder at the end of it.

Well done