Failed NCT today - high idle emissions

MinxOfInsolence

Hi all,

I failed the NCT today.

Car is a 2006 VW Passat with 123000 KM on the clock. It failed on a couple of small things like a worn wishbone bush and torn CV boot which are easy fixes. The real worry is in the emissions failure.

Attaching an image of the values.

Anybody with the expertise that could point to what might be wrong?

I've engaged with a few garages and want to make sure I don't get taken for a ride.

Thanks in advance

The HC value is 10-50 times larger than expected at both idle and high idle. It means the engine is not burning fuel properly even if the lambda is perfect 1.00. Do these engines suffer from burnt valves similarly to three cylinder Polo etc. engines? Any flashing check engine light (that indicates misfire detected)? A 2006 car should also light a solid check engine light for catalyst below efficiency I'd imagine.

BorneTobyWilde

Needs a new CAT i'd say. And the correct oil in engine, amazing how a lot of people use the wrong oils.

HC 241 is literally off the charts for even a car with no cat.

CoBo55

Is it using oil? If it hasn't been done recently I'd change the oil and filter and fit a new air filter. Is it idling smoothly and staying smooth as you slowly increase the revs? What engine is it?

BorneTobyWilde

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Needs a new CAT i'd say. And the correct oil in engine, amazing how a lot of people use the wrong oils.

But a new CAT does not reduce the HC count I thought?

CAT is used to reduce the CO level of the exhaust.