Failed NCT on Emissions- very high

[fatboyfat7]

Just back in the door. I was convinced she'd fail on bushes etc but it wasnt even mentioned. Only failed on emissions but they're very high figures.

Low Idle: 3.88% allowed: 0.5%
High Idle: 7.24% allowed: 0.3%
Lambda: 0.806 allowed betwenn 0.97 and 1.03
HC 267 allowed: 200ppm or below

I know its bad, but how bad? I dont think a dose of RedEx and high reving can cure this. New cat? Please dont say i need a new Lambda sensor thing...

[Dragonheart]

Those figures seem like new cat figures to me. I had a pre run before without the cat and it ran around the 7 mark so I'd reckon thats you're problem. Cats go so it could be just worn. Redex wont cure this one, too high I tihnk.

[Kace]

Assuming you drove the car hard before the test and your numbers are still sky high, it's one of three things :

1. Cat. You should borrow someone elses to confirm whether this is the problem, as they're expensive and second hand is not great as they can deteriorate if just left sitting and rusting

2. O2 Lambda sensor. Cheap and easy to replace. I replaced mine with a new eBay Universal one for €20 and it passed straight away after this. Can't say I'm sold on the quality of the non-OEM unit though. I would prefer to have an original.

3. Engine temp sensor. Cheap and easy to replace. I have a new one for sale from Camskill as I didn't need it in the end

[TopCat]

That does seem fairly high alright. I have my Cat out, so if you want to borrow it you're welcome to. The same cat got me through the test only a couple months back, so it's working fine. I'd be inclined to run some redex, or my old favourite, Dipetane fuel treatment, through the car in the meantime too. A week or two of that can't do any harm!

[fatboyfat7]

Cheers Tom, I'll take you up on that if you dont mind... Are they hard/expensive to fit? Wouldnt mind, but I was up your area yesterday and today!! I was actually passing on the way too and from Lahinch (see meets page)

[Muad_dib77]

30min job to fit on your own..provided you have no stuck bolts..

Arm yourself with a tradesize can of WD40..and remember to let the car cool down before you get stuck it!

[colm_mcm]

I'd leave the WD40 at it for 30 mins before attempting to get the nuts off. It may be worth going to a garage with an impact wrench.

[TopCat]

If you're up around Limerick any time soon let me know and you can pick it up, I don't think I'll be down Cork direction any time soon. As the guys say, it's not a big job. Easier though if you have access to a garage.

[steelroe]

Chris

Is yours not fitted with a cat bypass pipe at the moment, tht would explain the high readings

[colm_mcm]

Oh Chris...

[fatboyfat7]

someone please expand, do you not remember the whole 'whats a cat converter' saga at my first meet?! Colm: 'Someone who turns prodestants into Catholics'... Well obviously i never got a straight answer and less of that kinda stuff now! what does this mean for me exactly? I never pretend to know anything about this stuff so please, more genuine answers guys!

[Bernard]

Basically it's a thingy in the middle of your exhaust system to remove some of the harmful gases.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter


Now, mark the time & place... I gave a straight answer

[steelroe]

Your cat converter was removed when the aftermarket exhaust was fitted. You need a cat con and this may prove difficult to find as the Version R has a different Cat fitted compared to other models from memory.
Is this answer serious enough for you

[colm_mcm]

have a look under the car Chris, if you follow the exhaust pipe coming from the engine, you will see a section of the exhaust about 9 inches long.

If there's something like this fitted

That's a decat, a piece of pipe that replaces the catalytic convertor.

a catalytic convertor looks something like this:

Your cat converter was removed when the aftermarket exhaust was fitted. You need a cat con and this may prove difficult to find as the Version R has a different Cat fitted compared to other models from memory.
Is this answer serious enough for you

Isn't the only difference that it doesn't have a heat sensor?

[steelroe]

This diagram shows the the standard setup

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... b0s11p1590
Cat con is the part marked Ref(15-310)

[fatboyfat7]

Thanks lads, I think im just worried about how easily (and more importantly, cheaply) i can get it through the NCT. So, if i understand you right, provided there's a decat fitted, it is possible to fit a cat con to my aftermarket exhaust. And Colm thinks a GPX one (like Toms) will do the job despite the heat sensor but Rory isnt as sure... Correct? I'll take a look underneath 2m and try and figure out where i stand. Thanks for the help again.

[Kace]

....provided there's a decat fitted, it is possible to fit a cat con to my aftermarket exhaust. And Colm thinks a GPX one (like Toms) will do the job despite the heat sensor but Rory isnt as sure... Correct?

Yes, should be no problem to fit a cat. I'm also very surprised that a VR cat setup would be any different to a GPX.

If it is a different cat, worst case is that you have to borrow a VR cat for the NCT. Best case any GPX cat can replace your current decat pipe setup.

[steelroe]

Just double checked and the VR does have a diff cat. Not exactly sure what the diffs are but I sold a GPX cat some time back and it would not fit the VR.

[Sebastian]

GPX and GX share the same CAT

[fatboyfat7]

thats just great so isnt it... i really never get a break do I?! On the positive side the car is running like a dream. So now i have to find a cat from a VR. Probably not to many of them around im assuming. Thanks for all the help again

[fatboyfat7]

NCT on Monday so put in the Cat Con I borrowed from Finers. (thanks) and as it happens I already did have a cat fitted. Which kinda worries me cause the emission figures were so high. Redex in too and lambda sensor changed. Fingers crossed.

[gary d]

give this gear a try, got a good write up in car mechanics mag and practical performance car.
http://www.cataclean.com/

[Muad_dib77]

Let us know how you get on!

[Dragonheart]

Cat has prob failed so I would imagine.

[fatboyfat7]

Failed again... I used finers cat that got him through, had the lamba changed (but that failed slightly also), redexed was in for a week and i drove her hard before. still got a reading of 3.52% and it cant be above 0.3%. I dunno what to do... any ideads on the next step? Try a different lambda? I got that one off ebay as a universal one. Buy myself a new cat?? Expensive buggers they are....