LCR failed MOT on emissions - advice needed

[jonathanp]

I have an 04 LCR, took it for an MOT today and its failed on the emissions for the standard idle and fast idle, also failed on the lambda readings on the first test but not on the retest (I asked them to take the car for a run for 15 mins prior to the retest)

Car is running the standard map and has the blueflame turbo back system

Has anyone else had problems with MOT's with this exhaust fitted?

I have always had problems with the engine light coming on (efficiency below threshold IIRC) but had the system checked by blueflame and had the car up to awesome numerous times (once for a whole week) but the cars always said to be fine

I've read on here and been told that you can eliminate the engine light by spacing the lambda probe but would this also help with the emissions?

Lastly are there any checks I can do myself for emissions? I know I can check the lambda readings on vag-com but I think I'll need more than that to check it will pass the MOT

 

[Big_daddy]

is your car decated?
have you checked for any faults on lambda sesnor?

 

[jonathanp]

has a 200 cell cat I believe (part of blueflame system) and both lambda have been replaced, MAF has been replaced quite a few times as well

 

[Big_daddy]

have the silencers been removed also?

 

[YerMother]

Its always going to be a bit touch and go with sports CATs

Get some octane booster in there and get the exhuast fully warmed up before you go! Then say your in a rush and try to get it done straight away.

Alternatively find a place that doesn't give a ****!

 

[jonathanp]

surely the CO values shouldn't be 2-3x times the norm though?

I'm also concerned that I could end paying £39 over and over again until it passes, could be quite expensive

 

[Big_daddy]

when i had mines done. the emission where double and the system rufsed to accept , but the garage knew me so he tricked the system some how.!

 

[m0rk]

When people say get the cats warm... I would say roasting.

It's worked for me when I had this same fault (with a near dead std cat)

Drove to the MOT station making sure lots of hot air passed over it straight in & emissions 1st.

 

[ArosaRacer]

Mine passed with a decat in but like mork said i got mine that hot it had a little pop and bang as i pulled into MOT place

 

[Big_daddy]

How do you make the cat so hot?

 

[ArosaRacer]

Drive it like a 17 year old who just passed their test

 

[Big_daddy]

if i drive like a 17year old, it may pass the emission test but fail me on my tyres! after i finshed with it!

 

[Avant4me]

It is true about the hot cat working better. They name catalyst means that they use heat to make a chemical reaction happen. Mine was roasting when it went for the MOT last, the tester said it was the cleanest car he had seen

 

[jonathanp]

big lad I think there is just one silencer on the BF system

thanks for all the replies I'll try and get my cat translucent before I take it in, lol

I think I'm a bit worried because I'm still not happy the way the cars running and the engine light comes back on after 1 day when cleared (only when driving slow though which is odd)

btw if anyone knows any good MOT centers in the west mids feel free to send me a PM

 

[jsparks]

i know they had probs testing mine, so i took them out for a test drive, and scared the **** outta them, when i got back, you oculdnt even touch the tailpipes it was that hot.

 

[YerMother]

Any update? Did you get it through it's MOT

 

[J@mes]

Mine passed with a decat in but like mork said i got mine that hot it had a little pop and bang as i pulled into MOT place

If a car comes from the factory with a CAT then it MUST have a CAT to pass an MOT! (AFAIK)

unless of course you are best friends with the MOT tester, as im sure you know gaz!

 

[Sisson]

^^^^^

or you drive a diesel....

new dervs don't need cats!

 

[RikH]

anything after august 91 needs a cat afaik
i know as my old gt-four was june 91 so i could decat all i wanted

 

[Rikko]

When we say a gud run we mean a good run a CAT doesn't start working properly until it reaches about 700 degrees so knowing the garage it would have been alittle trundle round the block and onto the MOT testing bay

Rikko