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        General >> Problems >> Emissions High
        
(Message started by: steve on Jan 13^th, 2005, 12:06pm)

Title: Emissions High
Post by steve on Jan 13^th, 2005, 12:06pm

Hello Fellow Members, Can anyone give advice on a problem I have at the moment ? The 2.5TD 96 Ultima I currently own (123K) on the clock has just failed it's MOT due to high emissions, each one of the 4 tests show a high reading of over 9% when the pass limit is 3%. When I asked for some advice from the MOT tester he said put a full bottle of diesel majic in the tank then give it some welly down the motorway for a hour !!! Well I dont intend abusing my pride and joy so can anyone give advice what the problem could be and most of all how to lower the levels for the MOT ?
Look foreword to hearing from you
Steve ???

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by Vulcan on Jan 13^th, 2005, 12:42pm

Hi Steve, although my present vehicle is a petrol I have owned many diesels and as far as I was aware there is only one test for diesel emissions and this is called the smoke test.

I think your tester is getting a bit mixed up between petrol emissions tests and diesels.

Petrol Vehicles;

CO levels.
When CO % @ idle
Vehicles first used after August 1986 3.5
Vehicles first used before August 1986 4.5
Catalyst equipped cars after August 1992 ~0.5

HC levels.
The maximum HC emission allowed is 1200 parts per million (ppm). This test will first be check at idle. If 1200ppm is exceeded the HC test can be re-done with the engine at approximately 2000 rpm. If, at this faster idle, the result is lower than 1200ppm then you can be passed.

CO levels and HC levels both have to be acceptable to get an MOT pass.

Diesel Vehicles;

This test involves the vehicle's engine being run at its maximum unloaded speed several times while the tester checks for exhaust smoke density, which is the only emission check for diesels at the moment.

When this was first introduced it caused a 'stink' as many engines were being 'thrashed' by testers. It is advisable that the engine timing belt is thoroughly checked before the MOT test. Replacement of a new belt if unsure about its condition.

This was how I understood it, maybe I am wrong as it's almost a year since I owned and MOT'd a diesel.

George

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by steve on Jan 13^th, 2005, 12:57pm

Thanks Vulcan
He did mention smoke but gave me a printed read out of the 4 levels these are the actual and target I'm not sure what the 3% target is he mentioned but thanks for the prompt feed back.
Steve

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by Dave on Jan 13^th, 2005, 1:29pm

Steve,

something else to bear in mind - gently driven diesels apparently regularly fail the "smoke test". If a diesel is not revved hard regularly (4500rpm ish) the system, including the injectors, gets coated in carbon type muck. As you can tell I am not too sure of the hows and whys but its a fact. The best thing to do is have a search round on the net but basically the advice is to add some injector cleaner to the fuel tank (read instructions on bottle, and make sure it is for diesel engines, not petrol) and go for a good run, achieving 4500rpm a few times. On a well serviced and fully warmed up engine this should not cause damage.

Have a look at this:

http://htdig.honestjohn.co.uk/motoring_answers/index.htm?id=201

Cheers

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by martin_rowe on Jan 13^th, 2005, 1:29pm

Hi Steve
the figers you have been quoted are the K value of the smoke emitted from the exhaust, (k is the amount of light absorbtion over a given distance) 9k is quite high, first step, check / replace your air filter, baring any other faults on the injection system, replace the fuel filter, pre filling it with a branded exhaust stop smoke additive, then take it on a good hard road test, if that dose'nt cure it then you are into a bit of diagnostics i'm affraid.
Martin

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by steve on Jan 13^th, 2005, 1:43pm

Thanks Lads for the Info/Advice that was a interesting attachment Dave especially the bit about removing the air filter before taking it for test, just off to get some Injector cleaner and then try out your theories ! once again thanks.

Steve :)

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by Vulcan on Jan 13^th, 2005, 1:52pm

The hard revving the tester did will have loosened the deposits in the exhaust system so a bottle of injector cleaner a a nice hard run should clear the sh*t out ;D

Let us know how you got on.

George

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by Dave on Jan 13^th, 2005, 2:11pm

You are welcome, Steve :)

What George says is worth remembering as you may find that your car issues some black smoke on the first couple of blasts - don't worry, this should subside as the injector cleaner works and the carbon etc gets blown away.

Cheers

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by Snoopy on Jan 13^th, 2005, 3:42pm

All the MOT standard tests are here if you need them http://www.ukmot.com/manual/6-4.htm about 1/2 way down the page for the smoke test......

All the MOT data is on this site sa well

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by gaz01gaz on Jan 13^th, 2005, 3:58pm

hi,in relation to the mot smoke test,all these answers are correct,however i drive taxis in sheffield which are strictly tested by the council :'( we have this hiccup on testing,use the fuel additive but to guarantee a pass buy some "stop smoke" many manufacturers,easily obtained from factors about £5.00,add this to the engine oil as well as the injector cleaner,good advice about air cleaner renewal too,no need to run without one(ill advised)once you have the mot certificate change your oil to remove stop smoke additive (optional),best of luck,gaz

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by steve on Jan 14^th, 2005, 8:13am

Thanks Gaz / Snoopy If it works for a Taxi driver then I'm definetly going top try it, I will let you know how I go on

Steve......

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by steve on Jan 17^th, 2005, 5:06pm

Thanks to everyone for the great advise, I used the STOP SMOKE gave the car a thrashing down the motorway for 20 miles or so then took it for the retest !
passed with flying colours and less than 1% emmision readings !! once again thanks what a great site this is.

Steve ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by gaz01gaz on Jan 17^th, 2005, 6:30pm

great news,can you tell me if you used the oil treatment or the fuel treatment, ???gaz

Title: Re: Emissions High
Post by steve on Jan 18^th, 2005, 6:45pm

Just the Fuel treatment Gaz they had no oil treatment the Taxi drivers bought the lot !!!

Cheers Pal

Steve