Another M44 emissions failure

[SuperBo]

First MOT as owner of a R plate Z3 and failed spectacuarly on emissions.

Attached is a copy of the emissions report, unfortunately its all alien to me. Any suggestions on potential solutions are appreciated.

 

[t-tony]

Get them to test it properly, by testing the oil temperature. Before you go back put some Forte (other brands available) into 1/4 tank and get it hot before you take it in. BUT, insist on having the oil temp. measured, it does make a difference, and the engine RPM

Tony.

 

[jonco]

@t-tony modestly omitted to mention he is a retired MOT tester and this is one of his pet subjects so follow his advice. What mileage has it done?

 

[SuperBo]

Having read a few posts on here I came to that conclusion and was hoping for his thoughts on it.

It's done 120k miles, no engine warning lights are up and lamda sensor recently replaced.

Fingers crossed it does the trick.

 

[jonco]

Having read a few posts on here I came to that conclusion and was hoping for his thoughts on it.

It's done 120k miles, no engine warning lights are up and lamda sensor recently replaced.

Fingers crossed it does the trick.

Have just looked on MOT checker and it failed last year on emissions but then passed at a second test - any idea what was done?

 

[SuperBo]

Have just looked on MOT checker and it failed last year on emissions but then passed at a second test - any idea what was done?

Unfortunately not.

 

[Mazza]

Its a shame that @t-tony doesn't set himself up as a Zed MOT tester working from home.....
I assume its the tester, not the garage, that gets the qualification.

 

[t-tony]

Have a read of this,

https://assets.publishing.service.g...-standards-for-road-vehicles-19th-edition.pdf

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

The only way my car would pass the emissions test in May 2018 was to fit an OEM cat. Tried two aftermarket cats (long story) to no avail. Also tried additives and 100 mile run before test. No significant difference. With OEM cat, car flew through. This year, again passed without issue.
Assuming yours is a M44, regret there is no other option, short of a "fiddle". Would be delighted to be proved wrong, but there it is. Would not consider buying a M44 without confirming an OEM cat fitted and a proper emissions test being done (and witnessed).

 

[jonco]

............ Would be delighted to be proved wrong...............

A different view, and no desire to prove you wrong nor start an argument , but not had an OEM cat on mine since 2011 and have not had an MOT failure. First non-OEM was a cheapo and lasted 3 years but only scraped through on 3rd test so changed it for a dearer version which passed again last month.
If you have the cash and intend keeping the car for awhile then go OEM but there are decent non-OEM's around which will do the job for the shorter-term.

 

[Ianmc]

A different view, and no desire to prove you wrong nor start an argument , but not had an OEM cat on mine since 2011 and have not had an MOT failure. First non-OEM was a cheapo and lasted 3 years but only scraped through on 3rd test so changed it for a dearer version which passed again last month.
If you have the cash and intend keeping the car for awhile then go OEM but there are decent non-OEM's around which will do the job for the shorter-term.

That's good to hear. Which non OEM cat have you used?

 

[t-tony]

I can gaurantee it wasn't a BM cat from a Mansfield company.

Tony.

 

[jonco]

That's good to hear. Which non OEM cat have you used?

No idea on first one - garage supplied and fitted as rush job. I'd have to find paperwork for second - it was from either CP4L or Euro CP with a 3 year guarantee - fitted a new Bosch Lamda at same time which may have helped and mileage was around 80k.

 

[Hooversquirrel]

Is this issue a well known one and is it specific to the M44?

 

[handsomejackuk]

mine passsed this year with no issues original standard cat 113,000 miles all proper emission test too..

recent oil change, plugs, clean air filter, i have been pretty meticoulous about the intake and cleaned up all the throttle body and injectors have been out for sonic clean.. a year ago

maybe i just got lucky once it was warm it went thorugh great

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Mine failed it’s first mot a year after purchase, took advice from Tony and told garage to make sure the engine was hot and oil up to temp and passed and has passed each time since, last time 2 days ago. Geoff

 

[misterpie]

Mines had a new cat fitted - non OEM by a previous owner. Garage managed to get the emissions to pass (April 2019,on an M44 R reg 132k) by getting it all hot - said I had a "lazy cat" - asked what that was and he said need to get up to temperature to work.

 

[SuperBo]

Emissions issue now "resolved", well I have an MOT thats valid.....I'll leave it at that.

Now to work my way through the list of advisories and learn how this little beauty works!