Emissions Disaster

[Joehow 0]

Hi,

 

I have just had a complete restoration on my 205 and in that time it has been off the road since October 2010.

 

In that time the car has been started but not run properly. It has just gone for its MOT today and failed hugely on emissions, I believe four times over.

 

It is running a full Magnex system and has a fast road cam/ ported and polished throttle body. It passed last years MOT with flying colours.

 

Any ideas?

[Anthony 1,003]

Exactly what were the emissions figures?

[Joehow 0]

0.7% he kept saying on the CO%. Trouble is the garage is in Amersham Bucks and I am in South East London.

 

I always thought the limit was 3.5%? They say she needs a CAT to, I've never had that problem in the three years I have owned it.

 

Thanks

[Anthony 1,003]

Non-CAT emissions limits are 3.5% CO and 1200ppm HC.

 

The majority of pre-1993 205's do not need a CAT, but you need to check the VIN number to be sure.

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

how old is it?

[Joehow 0]

how old is it?

 

1992 K Reg. I am getting different stories. The station its at says its a CAT model and the place I always use who know the car say no it isnt.

 

I have just phoned the police to ask if I could drive it from Amersham - Blackheath London if I booked an MOT and they said yes as I have a legitimate reason.

 

The test centre its at now does not even know where the AFM is so that is worrying.

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

1992 K Reg. I am getting different stories. The station its at says its a CAT model and the place I always use who know the car say no it isnt.

 

I have just phoned the police to ask if I could drive it from Amersham - Blackheath London if I booked an MOT and they said yes as I have a legitimate reason.

 

The test centre its at now does not even know where the AFM is so that is worrying.

 

right, ok. lets clear some stuff up. im a tester myself and im not interested in chassis numbers to verify whether a car should be fitted with a cat or not. if i look under a 1992 k reg 205 and spot a lambda sensor but the cat has been removed that vehicle requires a cat test, simple. no ifs, no buts. if the vehicle was 1992 k and i got underneath it to test it and there was no lambda sensor fitted it would be tested as a pre cat vehicle, simple.

 

im interested in the chassis number for one reason only. identifying the vehicle on the vts computer.

 

so to clarify, your car with a lambda = cat test. without = normal pre cat test.

 

do you know whether its got one fitted?

 

 

mike

[Joehow 0]

No Lambda. I had an s1 rallye which I had with a Lambda and that was a ball ache. But no the 205 does not have one.

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

No Lambda. I had an s1 rallye which I had with a Lambda and that was a ball ache. But no the 205 does not have one.

its definately a non cat test then. suggest you get your 205 back then as its pretty obvious they aint a clue!

[Joehow 0]

Thanks guys. He did not even know how to adjust AFM so there is a worry there.

[Anthony 1,003]

Emissions flowchart for vehicles used after 1st August 1992

 

Straight from the horses mouth as it were.

 

It's as clear as day - if the vehicle was first used between 1st August 1992 and 31st July 1995 and an exact match cannot be found in the database/book, then it should be tested as non-CAT. The key word there is "exact match" which it won't be unless it's an originally CAT equipped model manufactured after the cut off.

 

Print that out and show it to the MOT tester, giving him repeated papercuts with it if needs be until he takes note.

[feb 47]

right, ok. lets clear some stuff up. im a tester myself and im not interested in chassis numbers to verify whether a car should be fitted with a cat or not. if i look under a 1992 k reg 205 and spot a lambda sensor but the cat has been removed that vehicle requires a cat test, simple. no ifs, no buts. if the vehicle was 1992 k and i got underneath it to test it and there was no lambda sensor fitted it would be tested as a pre cat vehicle, simple.

 

im interested in the chassis number for one reason only. identifying the vehicle on the vts computer.

 

so to clarify, your car with a lambda = cat test. without = normal pre cat test.

 

do you know whether its got one fitted?

 

 

mike

 

This doesn't sound right to me at all.

What if I have an aftermarket ECU on a pre-CAT car and I have fitted a lambda sensor for mapping purposes or running closed loop why would the car have to be tested with a CAT then?

 

Edit: I just read Anthony's post which answers my question.

Edited June 16, 2011 by feb

[Joehow 0]

Emissions flowchart for vehicles used after 1st August 1992

 

Straight from the horses mouth as it were.

 

It's as clear as day - if the vehicle was first used between 1st August 1992 and 31st July 1995 and an exact match cannot be found in the database/book, then it should be tested as non-CAT. The key word there is "exact match" which it won't be unless it's an originally CAT equipped model manufactured after the cut off.

 

Print that out and show it to the MOT tester, giving him repeated papercuts with it if needs be until he takes note.

 

My MOT tester the one I use always is convinced the guy is trying to bend me over for work. I will get it home and get it in the garage to get the emissions sorted, even if I have to lean it right off for an MOT certificate at least then I can drive it to the garage for it to be worked on.

 

 

Thanks for all your help.