Failed MOT emissions - any advice?

[Hicks]

My car failed its MOT on emissions. The readings were:

1st fast idle test:
CO 0.00
HC 5ppm
lambda 1.228

2dn fast idle test:
CO 0.00
HC 9ppm
lambda 1.151

I'm just wondering if the cat is damaged. I've had some problems recently with the engine having erratic idling and hesitancy in 4th and 5th.

What sort of money am I looking at for a new cat, if that's knackered?

 

[DanGB]

Any engine mods and how old is car?

 

[Hicks]

No, bog standard, except for a Forge 007 dump valve.

 

[Leigh15]

What age and mileage?

I'm thinking possibly MAF/coilpacks

 

[andycupra]

car definately warmed up?

 

[Hicks]

83300 miles, Y reg (2001)
Car had been warmed up before the test

 

[NickT]

I'd suggest getting it VAGcom'd before jumping to any conclusions, might not be as bad as you think.

 

[Hicks]

I'd suggest getting it VAGcom'd before jumping to any conclusions, might not be as bad as you think.

I don't have Vag-com, but it is going into the dealer tomorrow. Just thought I'd ask here because I've read that overfuelling can cause problems for the Cat. Just seems a bit suspicious that the engine's not been running smoothly for some time, and now I get a fail on emissions.

 

[NickT]

Well the first thing the dealer will do is a diagnostic which should tell 'em what's what.

As for cat prices, I did a search and came up with this:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=95458&highlight=catalytic

So I would guess if it is the cat, get a new one from GSF not a dealer.
They don't list Seat exhaust parts in their pdf catalogue but they do list a cat for a Golf 4 1.8T (AGU) for £175+VAT as a comparison.

 

[ChrisUK]

........or buy one from someone who has had a recent race cat added or has decatted.....