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[toller]

Right, my 96 2.5 V6 GLS has just failed it's MOT on a number of things, none of them too bad but a pain in the backside none the less as the tax also runs out this weekend so i'm not going to be able to use it.

The one causing me most concern is:

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.2b)

What's the most likely cause of this and what's the best remedy?

It's alos failed on some corroded braked pipes, both the front pipes through the arches and the nearside rear pipe need replacing.  Does anyone know the lengths of these so i can get some made up without having to take them off the car to measure them?

Thirdly, Offisde rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.c.1a)

Totally stumped by this one, i've not had a look yet but do bits fall off these very often?  

I'm mostly concerned with the emissions as it's not something i can test at home to see if it's ok although the woman who failed it did say as it was only used for short journeys a good blast up the motorway may sort it.

Any suggestions welcome.

[JasonH]

The emissions failure could be caused by a number of things: air filter, plugs, HT leads, lambda sensor, exhaust leak. Or it may just have not been fully up to temperature.

Worth doing the old paperclip test and checking for any fault codes.

Rear coil springs do break occassionally.

[Kevin Wood]

Sorry to hear about the fail.

Emissions could be a number of things. Ultimately, it could be a dead catalytic converter or Lambda sensor but there are a  few things to try before this. How badly is it out? You should have been given a printout of the readings from the tester. If you've got the numbers it will show whether it was borderline or way out.

First thing is to give it a good service if it hasn't been done for a while. Oil, filter, plugs, air filter will all make a difference if they're not up to scratch.

Secondly, clean out the throttle body and breathers and IACV as described in the HOWTOs. It may be worth putting a can of injector cleaner through it although if the injectors are not 100%, it's more effective to have them ultrasonically cheaned out of the car. Check for air leaks in   the intake system while you're at it.

Thirdly, if it has just been used for pottering around a good motorway drive just before you present it for a re-test may help.

Has it shown any engine management or emissions warning lights? If so, get the garage to read the fault codes from the ECU. This may tell you what's up.

As to the coil spring problem I think they probably mean that the end has broken off the spring where it sits in the lower arm. It's not unheard of. I would ask around on here for a replacement. A few cars are being broken at the moment. It would be best to replace left and right as a pair.

Cheers,

Kevin

[jonathanh]

Can't help on the emissions problem (but I'm sure it will not be long before someone answers)

Thirdly, Offisde rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.c.1a)

Yes these do break - have a look around the bottom of the coil.  Typically about £30 each - replace in pair.  There's a how to on here somewhere - its pretty easy

[toller]

Just had a look at the springs and one has indeed broken off near the bottom, so that ones easy enough.  The brake pipes are also failrly straightforward if a little bit fiddly.

Engine management light hasn't been on a t all since i've owned the car and i didn't get a print out of the CO results she just said they were a bit high, i may have to phone them and see if i can find out what they were.

I did expect it to pass as it's only done about 5000 miles since the last test, even worse is i've someone coming tomorrow to buy my old car so i'm out of transport until i get this sorted

[jonathanh]

when you say the EML has not been on since you bought it, do you mean that it does not come on when you turn the ignition key.  Some people solve the EML problem by removing the bulb.....

[toller]

It comes one when the key is turned then goes out once the engine has started  

[toller]

Forgot to add,  I changed my rocker gaskets the other weekend and have since noticed a very slight smell of petrol sometimes whilst driving,  could definatley smell it today with the window open but i'm sure i got a bit of a whiff through the vents yesterday eveing too.  It doesn't last long and isn't particularly strong but it's obviously coming from somewhere, not sure if it has any bearing on the emission issue though.

[Chopsdad]

I agree with the above comments, in particular to replace the oil, clean the breathers (I suspect they may be clogged if you have gasket issues)  return it with a warm engine after a good run, also treat it to some Shell Optimax or similar as it has a higher octane rating and burns cleaner.  Good luck.  

[toller]

Thanks for all the advice chaps, will hopefully get it all done this weekend and get booked in for a retest next week.

[hotel21]

Clear the engine breather.  Clean the fuel filter and air filter, change the oil and oil filter, then fire some some injector cleaner into a nearly empty tank, then give it a ragging when its upto temp to clean out the fuel system.  That will assist in getting the emmissions down without waking the cat up from his slumbers.....


Broken pigtail on springs are common, remember to change springs as a pair and not one at a time.....

When I do brake pipes, I remove them from the car so i get the correct length before making up a brand new one.  i plug the end of the pipe on the car with an old golf tee to stop fluid leaking out too much.  Clingfilm under the fillup cap also helps -  vacuum and all that........

A fail, but not a disasterous one...  

HtH

B

[Matchless]

Were hydrocarbon levels correct? If high check for misfire or blocked breathers.
Otherwise take it for a run to give the cats and O2 sensors chance to really heat up then ask the garage to recheck the emissions......they will hopefully do this for free, no need to book a retest until you know its running right.

[ians]

Toller,

There shouldn't be a smell of petrol.   I suggest you check closely that the fuel hoses unions are not leaking - that could spoil you whole day

I had a spring break too (front on mine)

Cheers
Ian

[Kevin Wood]

Engine management light hasn't been on a t all since i've owned the car and i didn't get a print out of the CO results she just said they were a bit high, i may have to phone them and see if i can find out what they were.

An MOT compliant emissions tester will generate a print out for every test, and I've always been given one at MOT time, even if it's a pass. If they can't produce the results of the test I would ask them to do another test FOC.

Kevin

[toller]

Just spoken to the person who tested it about the levels and she says the CO was only just over the limit and it was going up and down, she also said the revs were a bit up and down when she was testing it.  The figure she gave me for CO was 0.5 and i belive the limit is 0.3.

She did say that it kept dropping below the limit for a pass but wouldn't stay there.

Does this point to anything?

I expected a printout but totally forgot to ask about it, i take it to the local council for MOT's as they don't do any type of repairs so i know i'm not going to be ripped off beng told work is needed when it's not.