Are Rotary Engines Tested for Emissions in NCT?

MetzgerMeister

Last time I took my car for NCT it passed the emissions test. Before and after that I was hearing that rotary engines aren't actually tested as each one puts out different emissions. I thought that it was just passed regardless.

Is this true??

macplaxton

I can't find anything in the NCT manual about it. They should really make it more detailed to remove any doubt.

In the notes:

"(b) Where it can be established that the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on exhaust emissions are higher than those listed in the reasons for failure then the manufacturers figure should be the criteria used when deciding whether or not the vehicle passes."

I suppose looking at it another way, if it's not classed as a "4-stroke spark ignition" or "diesel", the it doesn't undergo an emissions or (diesel) smoke test.

So a Trabant owner shouldn't have any problems

Atomic Pineapple

No they are not tested for emissions, the Rx7 has no hope of passsing an emissions test and while the Rx8 can it is also exempt.

You actually get a fail at the test centre due to not doing the test but the cert gets sent out in the post.

Some testers are unaware of this though and some people have said they have had hassle getting there cert with having to ring the head office

MetzgerMeister

draffodx wrote: »

No they are not tested for emissions, the Rx7 has no hope of passsing an emissions test and while the Rx8 can it is also exempt.

You actually get a fail at the test centre due to not doing the test but the cert gets sent out in the post.

Some testers are unaware of this though and some people have said they have had hassle getting there cert with having to ring the head office

Last time I got it done, it said "PASS" for that section. I have the ECU remapped too so the emissions are bound to be even higher.

Also, I got the cert there and then and he just pointed out that I had to replace one rear tyre but didn't have to go back.

macplaxton

So the conclusion is:

As its not classed as a "4-stroke spark ignition" or "diesel", the it doesn't undergo an emissions or (diesel) smoke test.

Therefore:
1) Wankel rotaries are exempt.
2) Two-stroke engines are exempt.

MetzgerMeister

Lovely stuff! Thanks mac and draffod!

Atomic Pineapple

einheisserschre wrote: »

Last time I got it done, it said "PASS" for that section. I have the ECU remapped too so the emissions are bound to be even higher.

It just said pass but with no readings?

Viper_JB

draffodx wrote: »

No they are not tested for emissions, the Rx7 has no hope of passsing an emissions test and while the Rx8 can it is also exempt.

You actually get a fail at the test centre due to not doing the test but the cert gets sent out in the post.

Some testers are unaware of this though and some people have said they have had hassle getting there cert with having to ring the head office

Yer had a bit of hastle last time I brought my 8 into the NCT centre, absolutly awful experience, 0 respect for other peoples property, they managed to stall the engine twice - once flooding it by flooring the gas on starting and once on the rollers for the brake test not too sure how that time but as a result it took them around about 10-15 minutes of trying to get it started, which couldn't be done at the time as the front wheel's were rolling and the back ones were not, these guys were absolute apes, anyways...getting back to the op I was failed on the emissions, machines not calibrated to test emissions from wankel engine so had to ring head office and after about 30 minutes of trying to explain the situation and 3 different people later managed to get one sent out to me. But all in all was a terrible terrible experience, never taking my car back the to Blarney NCT centre.

stevenmu

I'm pretty sure it's in the NCT handbook somewhere that rotaries are specifically exempted. It was mentioned on irishrotary.com, I'll try to find the link. From what I've seen on other forums many of the testers don't seem to realise this so it might be a good idea when getting to test done to bring along a print out with it highlighted. It seems like it'd be a good idea to get it really good and hot before the test and hand it over still running to try and avoid problems like Viper had.

edit: I must be mistaken, I can't find the link now and I've searched the manual as well and can't find a mention of it.

MetzgerMeister

draffodx wrote: »

It just said pass but with no readings?

As far as I can remember. I'll root it out, scan it and post it this evening.

unkel

stevenmu wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it's in the NCT handbook somewhere that rotaries are specifically exempted.

The words "rotary" or "wankel" do not feature in the NCT manual

But apparantly they are not being emissions tested if you insist it is a rotary engine and tell them to go look it up with the foreman / head of service

Atomic Pineapple

unkel wrote: »

The words "rotary" or "wankel" do not feature in the NCT manual

But apparantly they are not being emissions tested if you insist it is a rotary engine and tell them to go look it up with the foreman / head of service

Correct,

It was sent out to all NCT centres in a letter saying that rotaries were exempt, bit of a joke really you'd think they'd put it in the manual and save rotary owners the bother

Cosmo K

Rotary engines are excempt from the emission test, its not in the handbook, but there is a technical bulletin from the department of transport about it, not sure whether that is available on the departments or the RSA website.

Cert for those cars has to be issued by the NCTS head office in Citywest.

Now. I admit.... even I have done an emmission test on a RX7, it was a busy day and I simply forgot about the excemption, and it sure failed. Got a phone call form my regional manager the next day......he wasn't impressed:D:D

MetzgerMeister

Right, as promised, here's the emissions section of my last NCT.









@ Cosmo - I got my cert there and then in Nenagh

BTW, I drive an RX-8.

unkel

Cosmo K wrote: »

Rotary engines are excempt from the emission test, its not in the handbook, but there is a technical bulletin from the department of transport about it, not sure whether that is available on the departments or the RSA website.

It would be cool if you could dig that up from somewhere :cool:

Cats off so for all the wankel owners out there

macplaxton

draffodx wrote: »

bit of a joke really you'd think they'd put it in the manual and save rotary owners the bother

It is a joke, if the DfT and VOSA can manage to stick it in their UK MOT manual. The DoT should revise and expand their manual to cover things, or at least make technical bulletins / updates available online. That way owners can prepare their vehicles properly before presenting them for test and reminding the tester of any exemptions or different procedures prior to conducting the test.

Cosmo K

einheisserschre wrote: »

@ Cosmo - I got my cert there and then in Nenagh

BTW, I drive an RX-8.

It was possible for a while, to print a cert in the test center, but we got new software in January, and I don't think there is an option in the new software for rotary engines.
Haven't tested a rotary engined car in ages though, so I'm not a 100 sure about it, I'll have a look at it tomorrow.

MetzgerMeister

Ah right cheers. How are you finding Applus? Are all the technicians the same all over the country just different owners??

macplaxton

einheisserschre wrote: »

Are all the technicians the same all over the country just different owners??

It would appear so, I spotted the big Helga that NCT'd my car the last time when I was looking down from the viewing area.

Cosmo K

einheisserschre wrote: »

Ah right cheers. How are you finding Applus? Are all the technicians the same all over the country just different owners??

Not much change for us actually, only the top management changed.

Atomic Pineapple

I think not having a cat is still a visual fail?

Cosmo K

draffodx wrote: »

I think not having a cat is still a visual fail?

Nope!

unkel

All ripped out cats can be brought for recycling free of charge to:

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
FAO Mr John Gormley
Custom House
Dublin 1

MetzgerMeister

Hahahaha nice one unkel!!

JHMEG

einheisserschre wrote: »

Right, as promised, here's the emissions section of my last NCT.









@ Cosmo - I got my cert there and then in Nenagh

BTW, I drive an RX-8.

I'm finding that hard to make out but does it not show the car was tested and was within limits?

jasperok

unkel wrote: »

The words "rotary" or "wankel" do not feature in the NCT manual

But apparantly they are not being emissions tested if you insist it is a rotary engine and tell them to go look it up with the foreman / head of service

that manual is dated 2004 still-

istheir a newer one?

smash

Is this not a bit odd, because you're taxed and VRT'd based on emissions if you bring in an RX-8 from 2008 onwards so why not have an emissions test in the NCT?

MetzgerMeister

steve06 wrote: »

Is this not a bit odd, because you're taxed and VRT'd based on emissions if you bring in an RX-8 from 2008 onwards so why not have an emissions test in the NCT?

Steve, the same thing was going through my head! I suppose the CO2 rating the car is taxed and VRTd on could be an average reading. Different RX-8's actually product different emissions. As far as I know, that's every individual RX-8, not just the difference between the 190/231/250.

EDIT: Just rang NCTS. The rotary engine IS exempt. Cosmo is correct about not getting your cert that day. It's sent from head office.

Atomic Pineapple

As einheisserschre says the VRT/Tax emissions are an agreed band between the state and Mazda whereas in actual fact rotary emissions can be all over the place