orion turbo

My car failed its mot today on just the emissions. My problem is the mot station and two others ague with me and they won't let go telling me that my car must have a cat on it. What make it worse is that they tested it cold.
I went to ford and according to them it shouldn't have one.

What's the deal with this how do I get it passed its a 92 dohc sierra

STeve

iTrader: (11)

92 was the changeover year I believe and if its stamped on your vin then thats that unless you know a friendly mot tester, and if ford say that then get a mot there

cossiejay

they can not test it cold has the car has to be up to running temp plus as above it may have to have a cat but if so fit one then just take it off when it has passed

orion turbo

But that's more expense. Where do I look on the vin plate?

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

Ok, This is from memory so:

It would need to be registered pre 1st August 1992, and think we used to change reg letters on 1st August as well so J reg is probably the last of the cat free car designs.

This is because the MOT admissions tests for cars after this date are much tighter! Therefore a CAT was normally required to pass them. If you can pass the emissions test without the cat then fine!

If you post up the date of:

a) car made
b) car first registered
c) first bought

there will probably be someone with more and authoritative info on it!

My one mas made DEC 1991 registered in April 1992 and bought in AUG 1992
it does not require a CAT.

good luck hope the info helps

SaphCos4x4_Dan

iTrader: (2)

I don't know about that specific engine, but if it wasn't designed to be used or had no cat originally fitted then it doesn't have a cat test. There are plenty of cars 92 onwards that had no cat and therefore a non cat test must be done

orion turbo

I know car was registered on 21/08/1992

SiZT

Yes, it requires a CAT test, however if the vehicle never came with a cat then you can be exempted. You'd need a letter from Ford though

SaphCos4x4_Dan

iTrader: (2)

That's not correct, an engine code would be suitable and if you follow the flow chart in the inspection manual it should come out as a non cat test

iansoutham

Technically, your car should have a cat on it. I have the same issue with my car.

However, the DOHC I4 engine in the Sierra and Granada was only meant to have a pass level of 0.3%CO, yet the VOSA computer in the MOT garages states that it must pass a CO level of 0.2%. Mine struggles to get to this level.

In addition, on the engine block, top left corner on the front, the engine code will be stamped as N9. The VIN plate will also confirm this code. The MOT Test Manual states that engine code N9C (the code for a CAT-equipped engine the same as mine and yours) needs a CAT, and any engine code not EXACTLY the same as the MOT Manual should be tested to non-cat levels of 3.5%.

It gets more complicated as such, but you can apply to the appropriate authority to get the emission limit altered, using appropriate evidence, such as the build date of the vehicle and the fact that the UK had a block-exemption until 1994 due to some vehicle not being able to meet the standards in time.

Has your car got a lambda sensor in the downpipe (just above the anti-roll bar) or does it has a CO pot behind the MAP sensor in the drivers side rear corner of the engine bay?

CHUNKYS RS

are they failing it for the missing cat or the emissons readings ,sounds like you have a bit of a jobs worth there

andyroo2

if you get a letter from ford ( headed paper ) make it up bassicly saying that the vehicle is fitted with an engine from a pre 92 car then they will just have to test it to pre 92 limits , find a good letter head on google images lol

richard youll

The cat date emmision test is determined by manufacture date not date of registration this is so that cars are parked up for a while till sold are tested correctly , also engine conversion cars should be emmision tested on age of engine not the car it's in and finally a rule of thumb I go off some cars have cats on but are fuelled by a carb so I won't carry out a cat test

richard youll

Also failure criteria has now been enforced for missing cat

vaughant

iTrader: (1)

Completely correct, had this conversation with a guy I know who's VERY strict on mot's and thats exactly what you do.
Some rovers didn't have cats up til 96 plus suzuki never released any emissions data so there are tons of exemptions.
Had the same issues on a 1992 escort cab with so called high emissions and after 40 minutes looking for a cat or lambda I realised it wasnt fitted with one!!!
As a side note I adjusted the little box on the bulkhead and the emissions improved to the point where it would pass the test anyway despite not having a cat.
Also same issues on a 1992 vitara fatboy which were all imported, again no cat and carb, mot tester wasn't happy one bit but after the boy asked him for a pre cat test he reluctantly did it and the car passed.

SiZT

[pedantic twat mode] You're correct, but I'd assumed this would be done anyway [/pedantic twat mode]

orion turbo

Basically he ran both test and it failed both. Has a reading of 4.30

Engine code on engine and vin is n9

And the fact that it has a air fuel mixture screw on the inner wing

Any ideas what I can do??

richard youll

Regardless of which test he has carried out its way to rich to pass it needs leaning off using the screw in the little black box simples

vaughant

iTrader: (1)

Yep,suggested this above on an old xr3i cab mk5 (efi motor) that I mot'ed and it worked fine,emissions went to 1 or something from 3 (honestly dont know the term!!).
Theres a write up on google but from memory its turn in to lean,out to richen.
I believe any variable resistor can be used if the units a dud,which is easy to test with a multimeter.
It was fine on the 3i btw which was in most other ways a complete dog!!

viperz888

iTrader: (1)

Yup, my K plate dohc had no cat or lambda sensor from the factory. Hoping it's not going to cause problems with the changes to mots this year.

orion turbo

Bein playing this evening made it a bit better. Is it anti clock with to lean off?

Ginge !

My Impreza don't have a cat anymore,,,,, but its a import so as long as under 3.0 I'm fine lol


Though,,,,, I ain't sure what it is