Exhaust emissions high idle nct fail

Piriz

Hi,

I had my 99 Rover 214 nct'd and it failed on high idle Exhaust emissions. So I had a mechanic use gumgum to seal holes, i has a lambda sensor replaced and i used dipetane in the fuel before sending the car through the nct again..

This time it still failed; the Lambda was 1.06 (down .3 from the previous nct) but the limits state 'depends on year of manufacture' and 'not between 0.97 and 1.03'

the chap that tested the car told me that it could be a pin hole in the exhaust that could be causing this and told me i need to have the problem properly diagnosed.

Where do i go from here... the car is in grand condition despite this... would a new exhaust repair this problem or what should i do... what type of diagnostic is needed and is there a sure fix to this problem?

thanks

Nissan doctor

A high lambda reading, with the other readings(co,hc etc) reading within limits is a sign of a slow switching lambda. Did you have a brand new lambda fitted?

If there other readings are only just withing tolerances then you may have a fuel mix issue causing it.

Can you post the full test readings for the emmissions?

Piriz

hi, thanks for your reply, this is the latest nct result

Bpmull

We had an Mg that failed on high emissions earlier this year the emissions where true the roof including lambda reading. we put in a new catalytic converter. the new cat solved the problem passed straight away. It cost about 100 euro and we fitted it ourselves pretty easy to fit.

Piriz

thanks BPmull, i wonder if this is a possible solution to my nct problem...

Nissan doctor

Bpmull wrote: »

We had an Mg that failed on high emissions earlier this year the emissions where true the roof including lambda reading. we put in a new catalytic converter. the new cat solved the problem passed straight away. It cost about 100 euro and we fitted it ourselves pretty easy to fit.

If everything was very high as you say...then your new cat is only a temporary fix.


@OP, Your other readings are very low so are you certain that the exhaust has been repaired properly?

Bpmull

Nissan doctor wrote: »

If everything was very high as you say...then your new cat is only a temporary fix.


@OP, Your other readings are very low so are you certain that the exhaust has been repaired properly?

Yes we half new it was only temporary but it was enough to pass the nct I'm sure the op does not want to spend huge money and I thaught this may be a relatively cheap solution in our case we were ncting the car to sell it so really we only needed a temporary solution as it was sold for small money and we couldn't fully rectify the problem as it would have cost too much. If it worked for the op it is probably the cheapest solution to the problem at the end of the day it's an older car and the op doesn't want to spend big money fully fixing the problem.

Nissan doctor

Bpmull wrote: »

Yes we half new it was only temporary but it was enough to pass the nct I'm sure the op does not want to spend huge money and I thaught this may be a relatively cheap solution in our case we were ncting the car to sell it so really we only needed a temporary solution as it was sold for small money and we couldn't fully rectify the problem as it would have cost too much. If it worked for the op it is probably the cheapest solution to the problem at the end of the day it's an older car and the op doesn't want to spend big money fully fixing the problem.

I agree its fine if you just want to NCT it and move it on. But if the OP plans on keeping the car, regardless of its age, they should be aware that cat issues are only a symptom of a problem and if the problem isn't fixed then the new cat could be damaged within a short time again.

Having said all that though, in the OP's case, it doesn't seem like a cat problem anyway.

goz83

The cat replacement will solve the issue alright, but it's just a band aid and a waste of money unless the cause of the problem is fixed. The cat can only neutralise so much, before it becomes clogged up and useless. Get the problem fixed.

Piriz

I know the lambda sensor was replaced, not sure if it was a new one or a second hand one.. also im not sure if the gumgum was actually used or used properly... i had an unreliable mechanic look at it a few months ago and he said he used gumgum (i think thats what its called)..

a 100euro catalytic converter for a temporary fix is not ideal, id prefer to get it fixed properly all the same but wouldnt like to spend too much either.. maybe a better repair job on the exhaust or a new exhaust ?

thanks for the replies... its a tricky problem to figure out... appreciate the help

DanWall

A friend had a spacer made up and only fitted his cat for the NCT, he said the car went faster without it.

Nissan doctor

Piriz wrote: »

I know the lambda sensor was replaced, not sure if it was a new one or a second hand one.. also im not sure if the gumgum was actually used or used properly... i had an unreliable mechanic look at it a few months ago and he said he used gumgum (i think thats what its called)..

a 100euro catalytic converter for a temporary fix is not ideal, id prefer to get it fixed properly all the same but wouldnt like to spend too much either.. maybe a better repair job on the exhaust or a new exhaust ?

thanks for the replies... its a tricky problem to figure out... appreciate the help

If the exhaust needs gumgum then it needs to be changed. Even a tiny pinhole will effect the readings.

Replacing the cat would be a waste of money, get the rotten piece of exhaust replaced, gun gum is over estimated as a plugger imo.

Piriz

ok guys i think the general consensus is a new exhaust... last question:

how much we talkin for a new one?

your future

exhaust emission reading as follows low idle co 3.55 . high idle Lambda 0.75 3080 rpm co 8.22 vol% HC 1446ppm. garage says serious problem would cost too much. Car otherwise is good but he reckons hard to sort emissions and get rid. never had any other problems with this car its a Ford zetec Estate 2002 any advice would be great and thanks