high emissions MOT FAIL

[david1987]

My car failed its emissions part of the mot the other day. More specifically:

* exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive

* exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive

* exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specific limits

after a bit of reading up, im convinced that my thermostat is shot (the engine temp on the gauge never gets above quarter)

Is there anything else i should change or look at?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks, dave.

 

[mikeh]

If your gauge doesn't reach half way, I'd say it's definitely time to test the thermostat and CTS.

 

[david1987]

mikeh -Thanks for the reply. How do i test the thermostat and what is CTS? Do you know the best place to buy a thermostat?

 

[mikeh]

Chuck it in a jug of boiling water - have a look on YouTube

As for the CTS, anyone that can plug it in to show live data can check its reporting as expected.

 

[Oscar88]

to check your thermostat, simply check the bottom radiator hose (or the top, its late ... my mind isn't functioning just now. mechanics eh!) one will be luke warm, one will be cold > dud thermostat. also turn on your heaters full heat full speed with the car idling. wait for it to heat up, if it doesn't heat up then heat isn't circulating to the heater matrix, again dude thermostat. the coolant temperature is directly related to your fuelling, so this will no doubt be the cause.


hope this helped dude

 

[david1987]

Oscar88 thanks mate! I'm 99% sure its the thermostat now. I've noticed my heaters never seem to get warm recently.

can anyone write a brief guide on how to change it?

 

[Dan@SJM]

What are the figures?