Emissions problem

[mikelloyd99]

Hi folks,

I have just put my Westfield Sport 1600 (2006) into its first MOT, having bought it last year. Sadly, it failed on emissions, and the garage (a standard car one) is puzzled. While they are 'looking into it', I wondered if this was a familiar problem? I keep it outside under cover, drive mainly at weekends, mostly up to 20-30 miles, so it doesn't get taken far. I wondered if it was to do with being cold before the MOT, as my motorbike used to have the same problem years ago before I went on longer trips.

Any ideas?

Also, if anyone knows of a good garage that specialises in this within the West Cheshire /North Wales area, it would be useful to know.

Cheers!

Mike

[Yanto]

Being cold when tested I guess you mean? Shouldn't make any difference as the car should be thoroughly warmed up before any emission test.

When you say it's first test, I hope you mean the first test you've taken it for? What are the results from previous tests to see if there is a trend.

What set up is it, throttle bodies? is there a cat fitted? Lambda sensor fitted?

Ian

[TAFKARM]

Is it a Q plate?

[TableLeg]

What did it fail on? Can you put up the emissions results?

[mikelloyd99]

I haven't got the details, only that the levels were far too high. I am not sure about the other things (so not technical, me). I have all the previous MOT results, and this hasn't shown up at all. I am using it more than the previous owner (only 600 miles in the ten years since it was built), and he was brilliant with info, with this not being mentioned, so it seems new.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

In terms of MOT's and the like, there's a great garage here in Congleton that lots of use, called Astbury Garage. They've been MOTing kits and the like for years and years and know their foibles! That said, I'm not suggesting they do a dodgy or soft MoT, just that they know kits sometimes need a different approach! (Like plenty of heat in engines before testing!)

However, that's probably of more use in the future than right now!

There is a place out Chester* way that does mapping and e gone work on kits, there's also BLiNK in Winsford that do the same.

In the mean time though, has anything changed since last MoT? Any work under the bonnet, or around the ecu, even if it's just detailing?

There are quite a number of possibilities, so it's a case of narrowing things down...

Are you on carbs, or fuel injection? If injection, is it the original Ford system, or sepperate throttle bodies for each cylinder?

(If you're not sure how to tell, then a photo or two of the engine bay, showing the top of the engine from both sides of the car would help everyone identify it for you)

*I've not used them myself, but know a few who have, I'll try and dig out the name later.

[DonPeffers]

8 hours ago, mikelloyd99 said:

Hi folks,

I have just put my Westfield Sport 1600 (2006) into its first MOT, having bought it last year. Sadly, it failed on emissions, and the garage (a standard car one) is puzzled. While they are 'looking into it', I wondered if this was a familiar problem?

Mike

I would avoid a garage that is puzzled and "looking into it". Just how deep is the rabbit hole and how deep is your wallet?

Can you post the printed emissions results showing CO, HC, Lambda and the RPM testing speed?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/542070/in-service-exhaust-emission-standards-for-road-vehicles-18th-edition.pdf

See Table 2 on page 11.

From 1/7/02 --Max CO 0.3% vol.   No requirement HC.---- Engine at normal idling speed.

At raised engine speed and with the gearbox in neutral.--- Max CO 0.2% vol.     0.02% vol. HC.     Lambda 1±0.03.    Engine >2500 rpm <3000 rpm.

Tester should ensure engine oil has reached 80C before test.

Hopefully a member who is an MOT tester will be along shortly to advise further.

 

 

 

 

[TAFKARM]

4 hours ago, RussH said:

Is it a Q plate?

Im asking the question as it sounds like the garage might not know the test is different...

[Rednop1]

if its a 1600 sigma engine car makesure the tps is set correct 

if its not set correct this will send the emissions all over the place and the adjustment is so fine to doesn't take a lot to be off and can be tricky getting it set correct

 

 

ash

[mikelloyd99]

Right, I will try and get hold of as much information as possible tomorrow. It may be possible to get into a different garage, someone I know has contacted about a place they use for specialty cars, so it will be worth chasing up.

Cheers, all.

[DonPeffers]

Remember if Q plate then no emissions test necessary; only required on an age related plate.

Garage should have given you the emissions fail printout and it's my understanding they have to retain data for 3 months, so if need be go back and get the sheet; otherwise complain to DVSA

Complain about an MOT - GOV.UK

See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/complain-about-an-mot

Use this form to complain about an MOT test result if you think it's wrong. Download the form, and then fill it and email it to csccomplaints@vosa.gsi.gov.uk.

[mikelloyd99]

OK, things got sorted more easily than expected. The garage kept the Westie for an extra day so the owner could think on it. He took it out to heat the engine up, still found high emissions. He left it for the afternoon, and then re-did the test when the engine was cold - this revealed low emission, and the MOT was passed. As the engine heated, he tested again, and the emissions were higher. neither of us really understood, but it went through the MOT and he didn't charge anything for the time taken to figure it out.

If anyone has thoughts, that would be great, but I have it back, fully MOT'ed and serviced, happy again.

[DonPeffers]

Glad your car is thru its MOT and no extra costs.

Please do post the emissions test results from the printout the garage have to give you, then we can mull it over some more--otherwise you may have the problem at next MOT.

Did the garage owner really just want a wee run in your westie?  Lol.