Hi, my 1994 Fiesta 1.1 CFI has failed its MOT on the emissions test.

I followed the advice of giving the car a good run to get it up to 
temperature, and requested the tester do the emissions first thing while it 
was still hot.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Limits                   Actual value
Engine oil temperature    >= 80 deg.          98 deg

Fast Idle Test:

Engine speed:                2750-3150rpm    2810          Pass
CO:                              <= 0.30 % vol     0.66 % vol  Fail
HC:                              <= 200 ppm        158 ppm     Pass
Lambda:                        0.950-1.090       1.055          Pass

Second Fast Idle Test

Engine speed:                2750-3150rpm    2863          Pass
CO:                              <= 0.30 % vol     0.55 % vol  Fail
HC:                              <= 200 ppm        174 ppm     Pass
Lambda:                        0.950-1.090       1.053          Pass

Natural Idle Test

Engine speed:                800-1000rpm      860             Pass
CO:                              <= 0.50 % vol      0.50 % vol  Pass
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The plugs, oil and filters where all changed about 8 months ago.

I've used a fault code reader on it and get '11 - No faults'.

Does this look like its time to replace the cat? It was last changed 5 years 
ago. I've always had borderline emissions with this car. It seems to pass or 
fail depending on the weather.

> CO:                              <= 0.30 % vol     0.55 % vol  Fail
> HC:                              <= 200 ppm        174 ppm     Pass


Is it running a bit rich? Even the ppm is marginal. Any car I've put in has
a small fraction of the HC pass rate.

I know nothing about the Fiesta engine. I've got no idea if mixture is
adjustable, or if the results indicate a failed sensor that fools the engine
into overfuelling, perhaps a coolant temperature gauge saying it is colder
than it is.

Does the mpg match the handbook?

Christian.

"Frank McWurter"  wrote in message 
news:DkgTe.5861$VB1.2896@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...

> Hi, my 1994 Fiesta 1.1 CFI has failed its MOT on the emissions test.
>
> I followed the advice of giving the car a good run to get it up to 
> temperature, and requested the tester do the emissions first thing while 
> it was still hot.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>                                     Limits                   Actual value
> Engine oil temperature    >= 80 deg.          98 deg
>
> Fast Idle Test:
>
> Engine speed:                2750-3150rpm    2810          Pass
> CO:                              <= 0.30 % vol     0.66 % vol  Fail
> HC:                              <= 200 ppm        158 ppm     Pass
> Lambda:                        0.950-1.090       1.055          Pass
>
> Second Fast Idle Test
>
> Engine speed:                2750-3150rpm    2863          Pass
> CO:                              <= 0.30 % vol     0.55 % vol  Fail
> HC:                              <= 200 ppm        174 ppm     Pass
> Lambda:                        0.950-1.090       1.053          Pass
>
> Natural Idle Test
>
> Engine speed:                800-1000rpm      860             Pass
> CO:                              <= 0.50 % vol      0.50 % vol  Pass
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> The plugs, oil and filters where all changed about 8 months ago.
>
> I've used a fault code reader on it and get '11 - No faults'.
>
> Does this look like its time to replace the cat? It was last changed 5 
> years ago. I've always had borderline emissions with this car. It seems to 
> pass or fail depending on the weather.


Have you ensured the breather system is clean and the oil cap is recent?

Common source of problems is the coolant sensor below the inlet manifold

mrcheerful

mrcheerful . wrote:


> Have you ensured the breather system is clean and the oil cap is recent?
> 
> Common source of problems is the coolant sensor below the inlet manifold


I'd change the plug leads as well.

John

"Christian McArdle"  wrote in message 
news:431da972$0$6468$ed9e5944@reading.news.pipex.net...

>> CO:                              <= 0.30 % vol     0.55 % vol  Fail
>> HC:                              <= 200 ppm        174 ppm     Pass
>
> Is it running a bit rich? Even the ppm is marginal. Any car I've put in 
> has
> a small fraction of the HC pass rate.


If anything its running slightly lean with a lambda of 1.055

"mrcheerful ."  wrote in message 
news:KqiTe.103450$G8.82357@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...


>> Does this look like its time to replace the cat? It was last changed 5 
>> years ago. I've always had borderline emissions with this car. It seems 
>> to pass or fail depending on the weather.
>
> Have you ensured the breather system is clean and the oil cap is recent?
>
> Common source of problems is the coolant sensor below the inlet manifold
>
> mrcheerful


I've not checked those - will look at them tomorrow. How do I check the 
coolant sensor? What voltage/resistance should it be?

So you don't think its the Cat? I hope it isn't 'cos they aint cheap! 
Unfortunately going back and forth to the MOT station paying retest fees 
isn't cheap either so I may just replace the cat anyway.

Cats are 50-60 on ebay, & easy to fit yourself, or a garage would only
charge 15-25 to fit. Works out loads cheaper than getting the garage to
supply & fit it for you.
So if it does turn out to be the cat I wouldn't worry too much.
"Frank McWurter"  wrote in message
news:snkTe.6559$VB1.1118@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...

> "mrcheerful ."  wrote in message
> news:KqiTe.103450$G8.82357@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>
> >> Does this look like its time to replace the cat? It was last changed 5
> >> years ago. I've always had borderline emissions with this car. It seems
> >> to pass or fail depending on the weather.
> >
> > Have you ensured the breather system is clean and the oil cap is recent?
> >
> > Common source of problems is the coolant sensor below the inlet manifold
> >
> > mrcheerful
>
> I've not checked those - will look at them tomorrow. How do I check the
> coolant sensor? What voltage/resistance should it be?
>
> So you don't think its the Cat? I hope it isn't 'cos they aint cheap!
> Unfortunately going back and forth to the MOT station paying retest fees
> isn't cheap either so I may just replace the cat anyway.
>
>

oooppps, sorry about the top posting! I'll try to be more careful!

> "Frank McWurter"  wrote in message
> > Unfortunately going back and forth to the MOT station paying retest fees
> > isn't cheap either so I may just replace the cat anyway.
> >



"Dave Griffs" <dr.clayton(no spam)@talk21.com> wrote in message
news:UWkTe.6570$Y06.898@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...

> Cats are 50-60 on ebay, & easy to fit yourself, or a garage would only
> charge 15-25 to fit. Works out loads cheaper than getting the garage to
> supply & fit it for you.
> So if it does turn out to be the cat I wouldn't worry too much.


Forgot to mention, you will also need new gaskets & may need new mounting
hardware, cost me about another 10 when I did mine.