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[Mark_J]

Hi all

Can anyone verify some information given to me by my local Vauxhall dealer?

After a recent service (on my 3.2 Elite), I was told the reason why my engine management light was on was because the car needed new CATS.

I was quoted £1,000 per side plus fitting plus VAT.

As you can imagine, I found this to be a bit of a joke.  

I spoke to one of the service engineers who told me that the CATS from the 2.6 fit the 3.2.  

I have seen CATS advertised for c£250 a side for the 2.6, can anyone verify if the 2.6 CATS fit the 3.2 for me?

Many thanks

MJ

[VXL V6]

Cats for the 3.2 are £710 each from VX. But I bet you there is nothing wrong with them! If you get an emissions test at an MOT testing station I reckon you'll find they are working fine. The likely codes that they have read off will be P0420 and P0430 'Cat operating above threshold'.

Quite simply a few 3.2's have been suffering this and it seems to be the post cat sensors mis-reading possibly due to contamination and the fact they do not get as hot as the pre cat sensors to burn off the contamination.

Two options are a) replace with new sensors (£76 each from VX) or b) remove them and clean them in pure water in an ultrasonic bath.

HTH
Andy

[Kevin Wood]

Agreed. For peace of mind take it to an MOT station and bung them a few quid to put it on the emissions tester. This is what the dealer should have done before condemning the cats. My guess is that the emissions will be fine, proving the cats are working. As said, the post-cat sensors seem to be troublesome on this engine, either due to the limits for the EML being set a bit too tight in the ECU, or the sensors fouling.

I had this once during the February fuel contamination and I found a bit of hard driving followed by clearing the fault codes cured it and hot had a problem since.

Kevin

[Richard A]

Yes, Andy & Kevin are giving you the best advise, however if you can take the car for a good 30 mile motorway run at 70 mph, this should clean out the sh"" plus get the cats up to, and running at the operating temp. The Stealerships just want what is in your wallet.  
regards
richard

[edwardmickey]

Just had the same problem on my 3.2; eml on.

Jamie reset the light but MOT was nearly due so I went to a MOT station and asked just for the emissions test (£5 made him very happy).

It passed the emissions and today, it passed the MOT first time!!  

Good luck with your problem, hope your solution is as simple as mine!

How much did the Stealers charge you for the diagnosis?

Keith

[Mark_J]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I had it MOT'd and got the following results:
Fast Idle RPM 2500-3000
CO2 - Spec 0.00 to 0.2: result - 0.06 passed
HC ppm - Spec 0 to 200: result - 5 passed
Lambda - Spec 1.030 to 0.970: result - 1.003 passed
natural idle test - passed

The MOT was done by a garage close to my works (in Wales), the service and quote for new cats was done by Picador Vauxhall in Eastleigh, near Southampton (where I live).

It would appear from what you guys are saying that Picador is trying to rip me off!

The service check report says both cats not working properly, fixed price repair of £1,968 plus VAT.

So how do I get rid of the EML light?

Many thanks and Happy New Year!

MJ

[Andy B]

.......
close to my works (in Wales), .......
in Eastleigh, near Southampton (where I live). ....

  That's some commute!   :-?  :-?  :-?

[jonathanh]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I had it MOT'd and got the following results:
Fast Idle RPM 2500-3000
CO2 - Spec 0.00 to 0.2: result - 0.06 passed
HC ppm - Spec 0 to 200: result - 5 passed
Lambda - Spec 1.030 to 0.970: result - 1.003 passed
natural idle test - passed

The MOT was done by a garage close to my works (in Wales), the service and quote for new cats was done by Picador Vauxhall in Eastleigh, near Southampton (where I live).

It would appear from what you guys are saying that Picador is trying to rip me off!

The service check report says both cats not working properly, fixed price repair of £1,968 plus VAT.

So how do I get rid of the EML light?

Many thanks and Happy New Year!

MJ

Suggest a full tank of decent fuel (shell, BP etc, not from a supermarket) and give it a good run (not that it does not get it on you r commute...).  That fixed my parents veccy with the contaminated fuel over the summer last year

Try tuning the ignition off and on for 20 times (no need to start) because (at least on the older VXs) this would clear the codes else get the code reset by a tech 2.

[Kevin Wood]

If you would like to try resetting the light I could try to do it with my cheapo tech2 (having said that it's on loan at the moment). It's only a small detour to Four Marks for you I guess.

I believe the light resets itself after a while with no problems.

Kevin

[N2STY]

Hi all

Can anyone verify some information given to me by my local Vauxhall dealer?

After a recent service (on my 3.2 Elite), I was told the reason why my engine management light was on was because the car needed new CATS.

I was quoted £1,000 per side plus fitting plus VAT.

As you can imagine, I found this to be a bit of a joke.  

I spoke to one of the service engineers who told me that the CATS from the 2.6 fit the 3.2.  

I have seen CATS advertised for c£250 a side for the 2.6, can anyone verify if the 2.6 CATS fit the 3.2 for me?

Many thanks

MJ

i use catsdirect
http://www.cats-direct-shop.co.uk/vauxhall-catalytic-converter.php?pageNum_Recordset1=6&totalRows_Recordset1=125

i have used a lot of there  Lambda Sensors as well £20 ish most Vauxhalls are 3 wires and seen them new on ebay for £14

[SP_3.2]

I have had the same prob i have a 3.2 and have the light on and off over the past number of months. Had the emmision check out by the mot guy and told me that they where right on and as good as now. I use shell v-power and after about 20-30 starts the light goes out for a time and then comes back. Will be looking to get a new post cat sensor in the next few months.

Seems  to be one of those things with the 3.2 set up.

By the way can the light be reset by just turning the key 20 time without  starting on the Omegas?.


    

[markey mark]

needs to have a good thrash up the motorway now and then bud to keep lambda sensors clean !! they get carboned up and heat is the only way to clean them or remove them and ultra sonic clean !!

[SP_3.2]

Just to check has anyone reset the light using the 20-30 turning of the key. Just thinking of trying it.  

[Mark_J]

Thanks again everyone for the help and advice.

I commute to Wales on Monday and drive back on Friday so it gets a good run (160 miles) each way once a week (steady 70ish on way up, flat out on the way back!!).

Thanks for your offer Kevin (Wood) on resetting, its worth a go (and an excuse for a pint!!).  Let me know when you are around and available with the Tech2?

I will try the on/off on the start to see if it works.

It did go off for a while after the MOT, but then came back on.

Incidentally, I always use Shell fuel (even though we have a cheap Asda nearby).  

Is it worth replacing the Lambda sensors?  I have no idea how to clean them with ultra sound (short of getting the wife to scream in a bucket of water!)

Many thanks all

MJ

[VXL V6]

Is it worth replacing the Lambda sensors?  I have no idea how to clean them with ultra sound (short of getting the wife to scream in a bucket of water!)

Problem may be in getting them off without damaging them, That's why I'm thinking of buying two and fitting them.

Best place with an ultrasonic bath would be a jewellers I suppose but would need pure water with no cleaning solution of any kind in it.

If you get the codes deleted could you confirm what they are first (I suspect P0420 and / or P0430).