Fiat Punto 1.2 8v Petrol 2005 62370 Miles

First MOT (this morning)

Fast Idle Test
CO: 0.010% Pass
HC: 4 ppm Pass
Lambda: 1.047 Fail

Used Redex Fuel System Cleaner and gave the car a hard drive for an hour and had it re-tested whilst still hot.

Second MOT (this afternoon)

Fast Idle Test
CO: 0.007% Pass
HC: 5 ppm Pass
Lambda: 1.030 Pass

The guy said it only just passed. He said that next year it will definately fail and will need a catalytic converter, which would cost around £500 fitted.

Is it the cat? Or is it a lambda sensor? Would a cat cost £500?

Any related information would be appreciated.

Regards

£500 is taking the urine. You can get brand new manifold and cat assemblies for <£150. Not even sure that catalytic converters affect the lambda value, more the unburned hydrocarbons. Lambda is more of a fuelling issue (which is why your Redex trick worked).

Yes I thought £500 was an over-estimate.

landofunk said:

Yes I thought £500 was an over-estimate.

Click to expand...

I knew you shouldn't have fitted the Ferrari manifold

If that's a genuine estimate of the cost, you are much better going to a dedicated exhaust specialist.

i failed my MOT for a high lambda reading.

Had a cheapo ebay lambda, just replaced with an original one, passed fine now.

Might be worth changing that first if you have problems next year.

still on original cat after 200,000 plus miles on my 8v; lambda sensors are in a harsh environment and may need replacing every 60,000m or so but have only replaced mine once; always replace sparkplugs and air filter immediately prior to MOT and give the car a good run en route to the MOT station

Make sure the service history is fully up to date.

When was it last serviced.

Cheers

SPD