General Emissions Problem

[cosb6]

I've got a 2014 1.4 Punto, and they can't get it through the MOT Emissions.

It fails on Fast Idle / Second Fast Idle with regards CO... its' running 0.7%... the max is 0.2%.

HC (Hydrocarbons) is 0 in the second test (ppm max is 200) so totally fine, just the CO that is high.

No running issues, no engine light, the rest is fine... the car has done 80k Miles.

Is the CAT just worn out? Or could it be something else. The MOT garage doesn't fix them... and my old garage closed down, so don't want to go changing stuff that is wrong. The MANIFOLD/CAT seems to be around £250... so it's a lot of money / effort to fit if it's not that!

Any help appreciated

Cheers
Stuart

 

[bugsymike]

I've got a 2014 1.4 Punto, and they can't get it through the MOT Emissions.

It fails on Fast Idle / Second Fast Idle with regards CO... its' running 0.7%... the max is 0.2%.

HC (Hydrocarbons) is 0 in the second test (ppm max is 200) so totally fine, just the CO that is high.

No running issues, no engine light, the rest is fine... the car has done 80k Miles.

Is the CAT just worn out? Or could it be something else. The MOT garage doesn't fix them... and my old garage closed down, so don't want to go changing stuff that is wrong. The MANIFOLD/CAT seems to be around £250... so it's a lot of money / effort to fit if it's not that!

Any help appreciated

Cheers
Stuart

I would get it properly diagnosed before throwing money at it.
It may be worth seeing if anyone local to you has MES diagnostics, it could just be something simply like a sensor.

 

[AndyRKett]

high CO (carbon monoxide) is very much the domain of the catalytic converter.

If there is no issue with the running of the engine it is reasonable to presume this may be the problem. However 2014 is relatively young to need a new cat as most last the life of the car these days, though not impossible. I think it’s reasonable to get it seen to properly, make sure it’s not a faulty O2 sensor leading to some missfueling that the engine ECU cannot see, the engine management system is dependent on what the various sensors tell it, so if the sensor values look right then no error is recorded.

Chances are it’s either the cat or an O2 sensor.

Simple things you could do yourself are check the spark plugs are clean that the air filter is clean (stick a new one in for £10) this will make sure the engine is getting enough air and that it’s got a decent spark.

I should check and ask are there any modifications to the engine or car at all?

 

[varesecrazy]

Is it fresh fuel..?

And was it HOT/ freshly driven...?
Or nipped around the corner after standing since Xmas...

What were last year's results.. Comments

 

[cosb6]

Car is totally standard... had issue last year, failed MOT, worked on a retest, and has also failed previously... same issue.

Newly serviced... Will check the plugs but we're replaced 3000 miles ago... so should be good.

Could be a sensor... again not that cheap to replace, so ideally needs proper diagnostics but not sure of any garage who does that nowerdays, I'll have a Google.

Runs fine... 40mpg on fuel.... 1.4

 

[bugsymike]

Car is totally standard... had issue last year, failed MOT, worked on a retest, and has also failed previously... same issue.

Newly serviced... Will check the plugs but we're replaced 3000 miles ago... so should be good.

Could be a sensor... again not that cheap to replace, so ideally needs proper diagnostics but not sure of any garage who does that nowerdays, I'll have a Google.

Runs fine... 40mpg on fuel.... 1.4

Does sound like an ongoing issue that "scrapped through" on previous occasions.
Hopefully there is someone in your area with MES who can locate your fault, failing that a good diagnostics specialist recommended by others.
We have one down here which the trade use, they all say he is expensive, but they always go back to him as he knows his job.

 

[varesecrazy]

It's all pointing to @40cm of the exhaust..

10256/10 - EXHAUST MANIFOLD - FIAT PUNTO EVO (2009-2011) | FIAT ePER - Online spare parts catalogue

2 x sensors and a catalyst

Were any sensors replaced in previous MOT attempts.?

 

[cosb6]

Not replaced sensors since I've had it... just chemicals in the fuel, get it got, and scrape through the MOT

 

[varesecrazy]

Not replaced sensors since I've had it... just chemicals in the fuel, get it got, and scrape through the MOT

Could be your Catalyt is poisoned.. And the Restorer is just enough to scrape through for a week

Being 9 years old.. You might get another 6+ years out of a replacement... But it's not a 5 minute job..


Your 40mpg seems to suggest the Sensors are reading correctly.. And you don't have a yellow engine light