Failed nct - emissions

Mel1010

Ford Focus 2003- failed on emissions. Low idle: .91% and high idle: .59%. Any tips on what to do so I can pass? Mechanic said to warm up the car- it was at 82c, is this hot enough? Thanks!

Atlantic Dawn

What distance did you have to drive to the NCT centre?
Was the car sitting when you arrived at the test centre for a long time before the test took place?

There's additives you can get to add to the fuel which should clean emissions, one such product is Redex

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/fuel-oil-additives/redex-petrol-one-shot-125ml

In general the first thing you should try is Redex in a full tank of fuel, drive the car in highish revs in the build up to the NCT and then do the test again to see if that does it.

Mel1010

I drove the car for 40 mins before getting to the centre. Not on the motor way tho I tried revving a lot to warm it up. It was sitting there for about 15 mins before the test. Booked my test for tomorrow further out this time- about an hour away. I called a few garages and they said it could be catalytic converter? Ideally how hot should it be when I get there?

jimgoose

Please post the full and exact set of emissions test results - CO, HC and Lambda.

Mel1010

Low idle:
CO: .91%
HC 160 ppm
lambda: 1.02%

High idle:
CO: .59%
HC 95 ppm

jimgoose

And the High Idle Lamda?

Mel1010

The only lambda on the test was 1.02%- should there be more than one??

jimgoose

Mel1010 wrote: »

The only lambda on the test was 1.02%- should there be more than one??

I'd expect a Lambda figure with the High Idle results, but anyway - I'd suspect from those figures that the cat has had it. It was plenty hot enough at the time of the test.

Mel1010

I brought it to the mechanic yesterday to test it. It passed it in his machine. The car is kinda old now so dont really fancy spending 300 quid...

jimgoose

Mel1010 wrote: »

I brought it to the mechanic yesterday to test it. It passed it in his machine. The car is kinda old now so dont really fancy spending 300 quid...

So what changed, if anything?

Mel1010

He said it would pass if the car was hot enough... Guess he was wrong. Ugh!

corks finest

Mel1010 wrote: »

I brought it to the mechanic yesterday to test it. It passed it in his machine. The car is kinda old now so dont really fancy spending 300 quid...

Mechanic needs an nct