MOT..... Fail!

[M.J.S]

Booooo! My trusty MR2 failed today on emissions seemingly across the board on CO and Lambda. the HC was well within limits.


Fast Idle Test:
CO readings 0.942
Lamda 1.034

Second Fast Idle Test:
CO readings 1.087
Lamda 1.038


Natural Idle Test:
CO readings 0.948

The garage suggested the Cat was on the way out, I did have the warning a while back that the cat was not operating as well as it should be (I forget the PO code).

I want to try and fix this... it has had the precats removed, but I understand this should not cause a problem for the MOT. So a new Cat has been ordered hopefully arriving tomorrow.

Is there anything else to check whilst I'm out there under the car? A new air filter is on order.

I'm reasonably handy with spanners, I've changed the rear sub frame and rear hub on this MR2 already so willing to try whatever I can to keep it on the road.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[frogger]

A blow in a joint in the exhaust causes these readings too (and can soot up the cat if the leak is before the cat - such as at the flexi's or where manifold joins cat).

I have the same issue, one of the three amigo's is threaded beyond usable and I need to do something about it to get the readings back in and the EML light sorted. Some silicone sealant would sort it short term - but not long term.

In other related topics - never hurts to clean the MAF and reset the ecu (disconnect battery).

[Call the midlife!]

A blow in a joint in the exhaust causes these readings too (and can soot up the cat if the leak is before the cat - such as at the flexi's or where manifold joins cat).

I have the same issue, one of the three amigo's is threaded beyond usable and I need to do something about it to get the readings back in and the EML light sorted. Some silicone sealant would sort it short term - but not long term.

In other related topics - never hurts to clean the MAF and reset the ecu (disconnect battery).

Can you not drill it out and replace with a nut and bolt? It's been done plenty before...


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[darrenjuggins]

Hi,

I replaced my top 2 (02 Sensors) got them from Sparkplugs.co.uk - solved my problems.

My Toyota Place (Toyotek) checked and the sensors, whilst working, where not switching very fast.

Once changed - straight through MOT.

Cost £50 each plus 24 hr postage.

0204 is the Denzo Sensors you want.

Manybe worth trying - a replacement CAT (Copy) will cost around £135 delivered - plus fitting.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cheers
Darren

[frogger]

A blow in a joint in the exhaust causes these readings too (and can soot up the cat if the leak is before the cat - such as at the flexi's or where manifold joins cat).

I have the same issue, one of the three amigo's is threaded beyond usable and I need to do something about it to get the readings back in and the EML light sorted. Some silicone sealant would sort it short term - but not long term.

In other related topics - never hurts to clean the MAF and reset the ecu (disconnect battery).

Can you not drill it out and replace with a nut and bolt? It's been done plenty before...


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I've done this with the other 2, but this is the offside one which goes in to the body of the manifold rather than having a clear exit path to drill through to.  It may still be possible, but looks like it could do with coming off to do it nicely, with some cutting of the manifold body on the other side ...
.... Or just replace with a toyosports manifold.

[Call the midlife!]

A blow in a joint in the exhaust causes these readings too (and can soot up the cat if the leak is before the cat - such as at the flexi's or where manifold joins cat).

I have the same issue, one of the three amigo's is threaded beyond usable and I need to do something about it to get the readings back in and the EML light sorted. Some silicone sealant would sort it short term - but not long term.

In other related topics - never hurts to clean the MAF and reset the ecu (disconnect battery).

Can you not drill it out and replace with a nut and bolt? It's been done plenty before...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've done this with the other 2, but this is the offside one which goes in to the body of the manifold rather than having a clear exit path to drill through to.  It may still be possible, but looks like it could do with coming off to do it nicely, with some cutting of the manifold body on the other side ...
.... Or just replace with a toyosports manifold.

Fair point, to be honest it's that long since I last did mine I can't remember what goes where! It's all coming off in a few weeks time though so I'll find out then..[emoji38]


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[M.J.S]

Thanks for the tips. I know there is a leak where one of the three manifold to cat bolts are. The hidden bolt has snapped.

The 02 sensors in the manifold, I've changed one as it was throwing the eml a while back.

My revised plan.
Fit a spare manifold with three good amigos (if I can get the old one off!) Replace the cat. hopefully being deliverEd today.
Swap out the air filter
Clean the maf


I'll will report back!

[Joesson]

I believe there is a male Torx type head on the non business end of the OE Amigo's.
Maybe that with plenty of Plus Gas would get the useless fixing out. But that wouldn't quite be the "same" as a new manifold.

[M.J.S]

Thanks All,

My list of items to change did not quite go as planned.... the Manifold is not coming off, well not without significantly more swearing and probably stripped threads.  That stayed on!

The new cat has a longer tube that meets the manifold, it seems to go further into the manifold. I took the risk of just fitting that (with new fitting kit, crush washers etc) and changing the air filter and giving the MAF a little clean and going back to the MOT for a retest.

The verdict is in....

Pass



The advisories:
Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All (1.1.12 (f) (i))
Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Anyone replaced the brake lines before?!

As far as I know there is no product on the lamps, any ideas anyone? they are a bit 'misty' though.

[BahnStormer]

Congrats on the pass!!

If you do need to go down the Lambda sensor route at some stage, then here's the mini-saga that a few of us went through earlier in the year: HERE - useful for tips on ODB2 readers, tools, etc.

That said - your fail wasn't anywhere NEAR spectacular enough to be a properly bust O2 sensor....

For that, you're looking at something more like this:

MOT passed!!

BEFORE:
MOT: emissions 20180324
Fast Idle:
CO=7.165% (max = 0.2%)
HC=812ppm (max = 200ppm)
Lamda=0.780 (min = 0.97)
Natural Idle:
CO=5.108% (max 0.3%)

AFTER (2x manifold O2 sensors + 3 bottles of Cataclean and 50 miles later)
MOT: emissions 20180403
Fast Idle:
CO= 0.18% (max 0.2%)
HC = 153ppm (Max 200ppm)
Lambda 1.01 (0.97-1.03)
Natural Idle:
CO=0.01% (max 0.3%)

Not exactly a stellar pass, but it's still a pass and it might need a new cat next year (or might just need time for the Cataclean to get to work and the old cat to clear a bit more)... I'm still getting an O2 sensor fail on the post-cat one, but I'll sort that out this week and look at a new cat if the sensor is still flagging a fault after that.

Thanks again for all the help!

[M.J.S]

Thanks the help is always appreciated.
I'm a firm believer in the right tools for the job. The o2 sensor just after the cat was a pain to get out, plusgas, the right o2 remover socket and a breaker bar made short work of it. Without these and using a spanner, I'd still be there.

I've not had much luck with the bluetooth adapter and torque, probably my cheapy odbi connector. I use a traditional cable connector and a laptop with FacileODBI running. Seems to work well with my 2.

I've just got the results from the test
Co value down to 0, HC to 28 and lambda 1.002. I'd say that was a result.

This was the cat I ordered, £115 plus £4 next day delivery.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252857787945

Congrats on the pass!!

If you do need to go down the Lambda sensor route at some stage, then here's the mini-saga that a few of us went through earlier in the year: HERE - useful for tips on ODB2 readers, tools, etc.

That said - your fail wasn't anywhere NEAR spectacular enough to be a properly bust O2 sensor....


For that, you're looking at something more like this:

MOT passed!!

BEFORE:
MOT: emissions 20180324
Fast Idle:
CO=7.165% (max = 0.2%)
HC=812ppm (max = 200ppm)
Lamda=0.780 (min = 0.97)
Natural Idle:
CO=5.108% (max 0.3%)

AFTER (2x manifold O2 sensors + 3 bottles of Cataclean and 50 miles later)
MOT: emissions 20180403
Fast Idle:
CO= 0.18% (max 0.2%)
HC = 153ppm (Max 200ppm)
Lambda 1.01 (0.97-1.03)
Natural Idle:
CO=0.01% (max 0.3%)

Not exactly a stellar pass, but it's still a pass and it might need a new cat next year (or might just need time for the Cataclean to get to work and the old cat to clear a bit more)... I'm still getting an O2 sensor fail on the post-cat one, but I'll sort that out this week and look at a new cat if the sensor is still flagging a fault after that.

Thanks again for all the help!

[Joesson]

@M.J.S said "As far as I know there is no product on the lamps, any ideas anyone? they are a bit 'misty' though.

The term "product" may be just this tester's way of saying the lenses are not clear as they should be.
They maybe in need of some @tomaky. IIRC it is usually he that machine polishes member's headlights at Ding Day.
I believe other methods and applicators are available, such as elbow grease and a "product" such as tooth paste, T cut or proprietary head light lens cleaners.

[M.J.S]

Thanks,
I couldn't see a product on the lenses and though it might be the case it was just not as clear as they could be.
Elbow grease and toothpaste/Tcut I can do... I'll try and get some before and after pics

@M.J.S said "As far as I know there is no product on the lamps, any ideas anyone? they are a bit 'misty' though.

The term "product" may be just this tester's way of saying the lenses are not clear as they should be.
They maybe in need of some @tomaky. IIRC it is usually he that machine polishes member's headlights at Ding Day.
I believe other methods and applicators are available, such as elbow grease and a "product" such as tooth paste, T cut or proprietary head light lens cleaners.

[Call the midlife!]

Everyone has their own favourite method/product, to be honest it's as wide a topic as tyre choice at times but personally I use the Meguiars kit. It came complete with the mop head attachment for my drill and a couple of small, abrasive pads for stubborn areas.
Mask off adjoining paintwork, stick a blob of the paste on the mop and buff away!
The only drawback is there's no sealer in the kit but mine tend to last a good while without.
There are lots of different versions of the same thing, some use toothpaste, others swear by Brasso.


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[tomaky]

Tis true there are many ways to skin this cat. I've even seen some wipes appearing on a facebook ad the last few weeks.
Ive always treated them as paint cut/polish/seal its doesn't last forever once the original UV goes.

[m1tch]

My cat is on 177k miles, emissions were fine it was just the lamda, had a lazy O2 sensor which would work and no throw a code but wasn't working fast enough to adjust the fueling for the lambda - it should be at 1 when in closed loop at high idle which is why they test them that way.