Failed NCT on emissions - is dipetane the answer?

Liverzeb

I know dipetane has it's fans and its detractors - word of mouth seems to indicate it has a good chance of getting an emissions pass on the NCT.

My 00 Focus failed on a few things - one of which was CO levels on High Idle - had coil pack replaced and exhaust repaired and it passed everything it failed on but failed on low idle emissions this time (had flown through Low Idle the week before).

As a retest is only €28 and I can't afford to re-place the car (it's also driving much better and much more efficiently) I figure I will give the dipetane a go - as emissions are a common failure it might be worth putting it to the test - if anyone has passed or failed after using dipetane I would be interested in collecting the data - might be useful for anyone considering using dipetane in future or help a few get through the NCT (if it works).

dieselbug

If you were driving for a while with a faulty coil (misfiring) you have likely damaged the cat.

Liverzeb

dieselbug wrote: »

If you were driving for a while with a faulty coil (misfiring) you have likely damaged the cat.

Yeah was thinking that but i havent much of a choice but to try and put it through again.

9935452

Liverzeb wrote: »

Yeah was thinking that but i havent much of a choice but to try and put it through again.

Spurious cat should be around 120 . 4 bolts and she is fitted

Liverzeb

9935452 wrote: »

Spurious cat should be around 120 . 4 bolts and she is fitted

Maybe for someone who knows what they are doing but add vat, labour and whatever you're having yourself and it costs more than the car is worth

Mintoe

Dipetane will get you thru Nct but won't continue to keep emissions low after that tank of fuel with dipetane in it is gone. MUCH BETTER OPTION IS A COUPLE OF PRODUCT FROM LUCAS, FUEL TREATMENT OR FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER. Bout the same price but continues to work well after it's been added to tank of fuel.

Stoolbend

If the co is OK at high idle chances are that the cat is OK.

Post up the most recent readings.

9935452

Liverzeb wrote: »

Maybe for someone who knows what they are doing but add vat, labour and whatever you're having yourself and it costs more than the car is worth

Quick lookup on prices
cat for a 1.4/1.6 can be bought for around 65 euros
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-1-6-08-98-09-04-TYPE-APPROVED-CATALYTIC-CONVERTER-CAT-FITTING-KIT-/130353305591?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e59a997f7.

An honest garage wouldnt charge more than 50 euros to fit it as it is an easy fit. Worst case scenario is 150 euros. A friend had a cat put on a megane for 200.
each retest would cost 28 and these can add up fast. Dont retest within a month and its a full retest.
The car is worth scrap value without an nct

Liverzeb

Most recent readings:

Low Idle CO 4.32 vol%, HC 537 ppm
High Idle Lambda 1.01, CO 0.13 vol%, HC 117 PPM

Dipetane will not "fix" that. Check all the vacuum hoses at engine bay. Something was probably not assembled correctly following the coil pack replacement.

Liverzeb

Cheers for all the advice and suggestions - have reached the point of no further action with this car so basically not sending it for more repairs - will try the dipetane and if it fails again it will be scrapped - if it passes it will worth it to get the car looked at again.

Don't give up yet. Your ECU is fooled to think there is lots of load on engine at idle. If I remember correctly Focus uses a MAP sensor for load sensing. Check the hose/whatever type of connection there is between the inlet manifold and the sensor for leaks. The sensor could also be blocked with dirt/oil.

In case my memory is bad and the management uses air flow sensor it could be for example a corroded connection or bad earth somewhere.

Edit: Most likely you'll find a loose plug or a vacuum hose somewhere in the engine bay followed by the ignition coil work.

Stoolbend

There's a rubber hose running through the inlet manifold on the front of the engine. See if it's split. If it is you'll hear air leaking after you turn off the engine.

Liverzeb

Just a follow up in case any one is in the same position. Car flew through the re-test after using 1/2 litre of dipetane in a half tank of petrol and driving it for a few days before the test.

fitzwhizz

It is an honest product. It does what it says it does. Excellent.

Notch000

It works fine, fail mine twice and passed with the dip in third attempt