Technical MOT Failure

[psychofox]

Punto failed its M.O.T today, 6 issues.

1. Offside front Tyre not fitted in accordance with idle wall instructions.
2. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive.
3. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
4. Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content at idle excessive
5. Exhaust emissions Lamda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits.
6. Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly.

Fast Idle:
CO - 0.909% (needs to be 0.3% or less) second test was 0.969%
HC - 228 ppm (needs to be (200 ppm or less) second test was 214 ppm
Lamda - 1.119 (should be between 0.970 - 1.030)

Natural Idle - 0.710% (needs to be 0.350%)

The test was done at Kwik-Fit, my normal mechanic was closed and i needed it done in a hurry.

I haven't had a tire change in over 3 years, so I am a little confused as to how it passed at least 2 other MOT tests. :bang:

I have never seen a hazard warning indicator anywhere on the dashboard since i bought the car 7 years ago either.

They said the emissions issue could be a faulty sensor, but they couldn't check it as it is an old car. Could this be the issue? is it easy/cheap to fix?

 

[flisko]

faulty lambda sensor-10 squid at scrap yard, hole in exhaust-welding

 

[fingers99]

I'm not sure there is a hazard warning tell tale! I'm guessing he means you push the button in, you don't get a flash (although the hazards work). Bulb?

For the emissions stuff, temperature?

 

[psychofox]

I'm not sure there is a hazard warning tell tale! I'm guessing he means you push the button in, you don't get a flash (although the hazards work). Bulb?

For the emissions stuff, temperature?

I have never seen a 'tell tale' on the dashboard though.
When I press the hazard button I've only heard that the indicators are on.
When I turn on the indicator, the indicator icon comes on, but the icon doesn't how when side is on.

I'm confused

 

[maggers]

As long as there is a visual or audible warning when the hazards are on then it should be a pass, whether that is the sound of the relay clicking or the light in the cluster doesn't matter. I'll have a look on my project MK1 later when I put the battery back on. Emissions will likely be the Lambda sensor, I'd certainly start with that. Any 4 wire sensor will do, just swap the plug over. As for the tyre, previous testers just have'nt noticed.

 

[maggers]

Righto, checked on Project Punto and the switch lights up, probably just a case of pulling the top off to get at the bulb. Bad news is I've confirmed that the head gasket has gone on PP but I was told that when I bought it I'm not complaining.

 

[psychofox]

So does it stay lit, or does it flash like the indicaters?

 

[renaultvation]

The switch is internally illuminated and flashes red with the indicators.

 

[psychofox]

So I just need to change the bulb? Im amazed that though 7 mots this is the first ive heard of it.

 

[maggers]

Sloppy testers.

 

[Palio]

Was the car properly up to temperature to get the cat working properly? Sloppy testers aren't that bothered & it could be you just need to thrash it around a bit. My old Punto needed a decent run (it was diagnosed with all sorts of expensive problems last year when Mum owned it - I told her to thrash it & take it back - zero co2 (or whatever it is) was then recorded, and an amazed idiot tester said he'd never known anything like it!!). The Coupe is always a problem (you have to get it red hot before the cat works properly). Worth checking at least.

 

[blu73]

CAT is quite far from the exhaust ports on the engine on these cars - make sure the car is upto temp and the fan is cycling on and off before they do emissions test. If it still doesn't pass get them to hold it as 3-4k for a min and then let it idle, then do the emission test.

If you don't have a friendly tester that will do all that best policy is to thrash it on the way to the test centre and then ask them to do the emissions first whilst its still really hot from the thrash.

 

[psychofox]

That's a point, it was parked in their car park for about 20 minutes before they started the test (missus dragged me off shopping).

I took it to my mechanic, who came back with a passed MOT. Should have gone to him first, but was closed.

I do want to fix the hazard light button though, is it a case of yanking it off and changing the bulb? (i don't want to break it in the process).

 

[Pink192]

Take a look at the section for Hazards!

if there was a relay tick sound and can be heard, it should have passed that section, even if the light does not show, also does the indicator lights up on the dash again if it does it a pass (not sure if they do!)