NCT emissions fail

paul-2008

Hi all just looking for a bit of advice. 2004 clio 1.2 petrol 55000 miles. Failed nct on emissions, im unsure if this is a high fail or if something like diptane could bring it back down to the normal levels. any advice appreciated

Low Idle CO 0.42 vol% Above .30% is a fail

HC 41 PPM

High Idle CO 0.48 vol% Above .20% is a fail.

HC 33 PPM

Lambda is .99


Another thing the car failed on which im unsure about is

Steering Linkage - Rack & Pinion - Worn - Nearside Front.

Is this a case of a new rack needed or is there a bushing/mount worn somewhere?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers

iamtony

paul-2008 wrote: »

Hi all just looking for a bit of advice. 2004 clio 1.2 petrol 55000 miles. Failed nct on emissions, im unsure if this is a high fail or if something like diptane could bring it back down to the normal levels. any advice appreciated

Low Idle CO 0.42 vol% Above .30% is a fail

HC 41 PPM

High Idle CO 0.48 vol% Above .20% is a fail.

HC 33 PPM

Lambda is .99


Another thing the car failed on which im unsure about is

Steering Linkage - Rack & Pinion - Worn - Nearside Front.

Is this a case of a new rack needed or is there a bushing/mount worn somewhere?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers

The steering problem is badly highlighted it sound like they are talking about the rack but the fact they say near side front makes me think it's just a worn track rod end or something like that.
The emissions issue shouldn't be too hard to fix you just need to figure out what's causing it. Any garage should be able to help. Their is a kit you can buy in halfords to help but I don't know how good it is.

paul-2008

iamtony wrote: »

The steering problem is badly highlighted it sound like they are talking about the rack but the fact they say near side front makes me think it's just a worn track rod end or something like that.
The emissions issue shouldn't be too hard to fix you just need to figure out what's causing it. Any garage should be able to help. Their is a kit you can buy in halfords to help but I don't know how good it is.

Yeah thats the issue I'm having at the moment, it seems like they are saying the rack but may not be as they also say nearside front... I have yet to have a chance to get under it and have a look. I have a decent mechanical knowledge (obviously not enough haha) but I would obviously prefer to try and rectify the issue myself rather than take it to a garage. Unless I absolutely have to of course!!

iamtony

paul-2008 wrote: »

Yeah thats the issue I'm having at the moment, it seems like they are saying the rack but may not be as they also say nearside front... I have yet to have a chance to get under it and have a look. I have a decent mechanical knowledge (obviously not enough haha) but I would obviously prefer to try and rectify the issue myself rather than take it to a garage. Unless I absolutely have to of course!!

Well the steering problem should be easy to identify jack up the near side front and pull the wheel back and forth and you should feel it. Or drive it and it should pull left during acceleration and right on braking. Did they do the tracking test?

paul-2008

iamtony wrote: »

Well the steering problem should be easy to identify jack up the near side front and pull the wheel back and forth and you should feel it. Or drive it and it should pull left during acceleration and right on braking. Did they do the tracking test?

Its doing exactly that when driving anyway!! Yeah thats the alignment test i assume? Passed that with no issues at all. -1.0 m/km fail is +14 to -14 m/km

iamtony

paul-2008 wrote: »

Its doing exactly that when driving anyway!! Yeah thats the alignment test i assume? Passed that with no issues at all. -1.0 m/km fail is +14 to -14 m/km

That's kinda weird usually when a steering component is not working they don't do the alignment test at all. Unless he discovered the problem after the test. Sounds like a track rod end anyway if you can do it yourself should only cost you 20 quid or something.
Unfortunitely the emissions thing is a bit harder to diagnose you could try put it back through after using the emissions kit from halfords but it's hit or miss if it will work.

paul-2008

iamtony wrote: »

That's kinka weird usually when a steering component is not working they don't do the alignment test at all. Unless he discovered the problem after the test. Sounds like a track rod end anyway if you can do it yourself should only cost you 20 quid or something.
Unfortunitely the emissions thing is a bit harder to diagnose you could try put it back through after using the emissions kit from halfords but it's hit or miss if it will work.

Yeah would be no bother changing a track rod end!! Hopefully it wont need a new rack anyway. Ok cheers, will look into it. Hopefully someone else might come along and offer some more advise on the emissions side of things. Thanks

whizbang

Do both track rod ends, and check all the rubber under there while you are it it.

Your emissions are not bad at all. Might be simple fix like a blocked air filter. Lambda is ok, but on the low side, may mean not enough air for the amount of fuel. Do the Dipetane thing; hard, fast, and loud.

Then bring it to a local place for the tracking, and get them to do the emissions check also.

George Dalton

How hot was the engine while the car was being tested?

From the readings it looks like the cat isn't working very well.

A good fuel system cleaner, italian tuneup and bring it for the retest fully warmed up and it might get through.

paul-2008

George Dalton wrote: »

How hot was the engine while the car was being tested?

From the readings it looks like the cat isn't working very well.

A good fuel system cleaner, italian tuneup and bring it for the retest fully warmed up and it might get through.

Test sheet says 81 degrees. Think this is my best bet at the moment, if not will consider buying a new spurious cat. Cheers.

paul-2008

Just an update on this - got the car to pass the steering rack issue - turned out to be a track rod end. Tried diptane and cant get it to pass emissions. It lowered it slightly but not enough! Would a new cat sort this or is it more a sensor issue? Any help appreciated