Garfiun

Ive got a 1998 Focus 1.6 and Put it through for an MOT at the end of last year and the main problem was it failed on the emmision test.

The valve seat inserts have been replaced, the standard air box is back on and there is a new head gasket on there.

What else could I do or check to get it sorted?

Magnum PI

If its running 'rich' its probably not getting the correct air/fuel mixture.

try changing the fuel filter & the Spark plugs/HT Leads/Coil pack

Also put some injection cleaner additive in the fuel, take it for a good run to clean out the injectors/combustion chambers....

Garfiun

Its got a new coil pack and ht leads not sure of the plugs. Ill deffo change the fuel filter and have you got any advice for what make of additive.

phil_focus

has it got a maf?

could be lambda sensor.

could be the cat.

have you checked for fault codes?

Magnum PI

Get some Redex from Halfords or similar motoring outlet. its usually 350ml to a full tank. might be worth using the super unleaded such as shell V power or BP ultimate.
it'll clean all the fuel system out for you. you may have blocked injectors....so it;ll clean the system out for you

phil_focus

thats a good idea, i occationally run a couple of tanks of v-power with double helpings of redex through. however, it won't cure other problems such as sensors and cat.


does the car drive ok all the way through the rev range?

Garfiun

Yes it drives fine and the revs are fine and the maf has recently been cleaned, how do I check the lambda sensor and how do i know if it needs a new cat.

So a bottle of redex and fill the tank with v-power, will anything else clean the injectors.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

All petrol models have a MAF, if you tap the cat and it rattles this is a good sign it's gone.

Personally I would have a look at the Lamda though it can't be that bad otherwise the EML would illuminate, spark plugs is a good idea as is the fuel filter which is actually part of the service schedule, however if it was blocked it would do the opposite extreme and run lean.

The main corrective input for the CO is the NTC (Aka CTS) this input is used to determine the base level of fuel injected right from freezing to boiling, if this is giving an incorrect reading I.E colder than what the engine already is then it fueled for accordingly doubt this is the problem, check this last after the above.

Martin

Garfiun

Ill give the cat a check in the morning and if ive got the money ill change the fuel filter and plugs otherwise ill have to do it next week. Im hoping that the cat hasnt gone.

phil_focus

perhaps its worth diconnecting the battery for a half hour or so to set the ecu back to base settings. actually i think theres a fuse you can pull instead??

Garfiun

well the car is off the road and The battery was off for a while yesterday whilst charging.

phil_focus

that'll do it then.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Correct it's a purple 1A fuse (KAM) this being "Keep Alive Memory" the fine tuning settings that the ECU learns from the way you drive etc although in theory it should "Adapt" even so it's good idea and free! Just make sure if you do you have your radio code to hand if you decide to disconnect the battery (The earth is all thats required)

Martin

Garfiun

I will have to have a look for the fuse I went up for a look at the car today didnt do much except put in petrol additive it rained too much.

Could the cone filter have done anything bad to the engine?
Some people say its really bad for the engine and is a stupid thing to do and others say that it wont do anything to the engine.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Yes it's true, best thing you can do is put the standard box on and if wanting to "Change" fit a uprated panel filter from the likes of K&N.

The cones can cause running problems and on these cars they suffer from heat soak so are actually worse than the OE design. Only thing you end up with is a lot of noise!

Martin

phil_focus

yep open cones (even wth heat shields and cold air feeds) are utter wank on the focus as most place them where the air box is so all it ever does is suck in hot air. my mates old 1.6 focus actualy failed emmisions because it had an open cone.

reason i asked if it had a maf before is that some 1.6 focus don't have mafs...never checked myself though as i couldn't be arsed with a 1.6 and went for the 2l

offitmassive

do you have the emissions readings there for us?? at least we can then see what part of the emissions it failed on, ...

Garfiun

Ill have to look for the readings and i think it went for the mot with the cone filter on, its off now though and it was sitting where the standard box is.

offitmassive

It can fail on 4 different things, CO, CO2, HC, and lambda, on the printout will be actual test reading, with its limits....

tabetha

Stop guessing and look at the readings, this will guide you 99% of the way to the problem.
If the car has ever been stood up for a long time ?, ie months then the injectors can become a bit iffy spray pattern wise, if this is the case injector cleaner will NOT solve the problem, very rarely does it solve problems, despite the claims, proper ultransonic cleaning does though.
To give an example my gf's astra had passed the mot every year without fail, and had perfect emissions, on fast idle, always failed slow idle, did good mpg ran 100% perfect, but whilst having some injectors cleaned I did them as well, the pattern looked very good, and after cleaning had hardly changed, the difference in running though was great, it had lost all the cold engine sluggishness, was smoother, a bit quicker same mpg though, was worth doing.
Post up your results of gas test.
tabetha

Garfiun

It sat for the full year of 2008 and start of 2009 up until about march 09 thats when it had an mot put onto it since then its never been sitting for more than a week.

And how much would that ultransonic cleaning cost? sounds like agood idea.

Finally found the results -

CO - Max 0.30% - Reading 1.04% - Failed
HC - Max 200ppm - Reading 409 PPm - Failed

It passed on the engine speed and the Lambda.

The car has also got 195963

Hope this can help.

phil_focus

if the lambda reading is good that suggests fueling is fine which kinda leaves the cat is my thinking.

Garfiun

I know im hoping its not that though but i can mot the car at the end of the month and ill be prepared to change the cat if it fails again though.

dieseldog

http://www.hiroboy.com and search for ultrasonic cleaner. i have never used one before and i know it is a modeling site, but sounds just the job

Garfiun

Just had a look and that looks good, but do you think they would fit in there?

offitmassive

CO is carbon monoxide, so not enough oxygen in the burn process, and HC is hydrocarbons, - unburnt fuels,

change your spark plugs and air filter 1st , these are the cheapest forms of a possible repair, then start looking at a new cat... a cat will set you back ŁŁŁ

Garfiun

Its got the standard air box and new filter back on and ill get some new spark plugs just incase andim putting money aside ready incase I need a new cat.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Thats right, thats probably all thats needed, go for the re test and let us know how you got on!

Martin

Garfiun

Its having an emmissions check tuesday payed for by my father and it will go for an mot as soon as I get some money so hopefully after the 20th.

Ill report back tuesday night.

phil_focus

keep us updated, we will certainly be keeping our fingers crossed for you.

offitmassive

How'd the emissions check go???

Garfiun

Ended up not going had a few problems with my fiesta that I was hoping to sell today so that took priority.

phil_focus

oh fudge sticks!

hope you can get it checked soon.

Garfiun

I know its getting annoying now having one car to look after was bad enough but two.

Cant wait untill the fiesta goes to focus on the focus.

Is it a good idea to fit a new gasket to the inlet manifold as my father reckons that it might be leaking.

He keeps telling me to use window sealent and If he might beright about it leaking id rather a new gasket on there than him getting the sealent out.

dieseldog

was your dad p***ed when he said that?

sorry, but a gasket needs to be used. window sealent is for windows.

phil_focus

you can check the inlet for leaks by spraying wd40 at the gasket, do one port at a time and you can pin point exactly where the leak is. try not to be excessive or it may get sucked in at other leaking points but you wont know where. any change in engine note will show its leaking.

oh and yeah, new gasket not sealant!

Garfiun

He is a bell he would never do it to his car though.

and ill give the wd40 a go tommorow thanks for that.

phil_focus

maybe he was just pulling your leg or trying to hint that he thinks you drive a shit car. prove him wrong my friend :-D

Garfiun

He is genuinely like that he even bought the sealant bt its not touching the car, if it as meant to go on it would be called car sealant.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

LOL new gasket NOT sealant, inlet manifold is plastic btw.

Martin