Failed MOT on emissions

besidetheseaside · Apr 15th, 2019, 20:29

Hi Guys, Looking for some more help please

Volvo 2.0 Turbo, B200FT, red block engine, 1993, 217,000 miles.
Surprisingly failed the MOT today on emissions, CO value on fast idle was 0.67 compared to 0.18 last year, limit is 0.20%. MOT guy spotted a very very light misfire (which I had not noticed ) so I am going for the obvious,

4 new plugs ECP list 2 NGK options ???
air filter
oil and filter already changed this month
new lambda sensor ( I have one in stock )
check for vacuum leaks
refit exhaust, very slight blow on back box.

Any further tips on what to check/clean/replace will be gratefully received.
Thanks, Don.

griston64 · Apr 15th, 2019, 20:48

Check leads if misfiring.

classicswede · Apr 15th, 2019, 20:52

I would do the basics of plugs, leads, cap and rotor as a start.

Monitor the lambda sensor to see what it is doing before considering changing it

besidetheseaside · Apr 15th, 2019, 21:26

Leads rotor arm and dizzy cap were replaced a few years ago but I will check them and replace if necessary.

jack taylor · Apr 15th, 2019, 21:33

Hi, The readings on my 1998 V70 were up on last year and it failed ITV [ mot ]
A few people on here reco`d Forte advanced formula gas treatment. I threw a bottle into half a tank about a week before re-test and gave the car an Italian tune-up enroute to the test. Levels had dropped and it passed. Given the price of forte it may be worth a try; nothing to lose. jack

Laird Scooby · Apr 16th, 2019, 09:59

All items on your list including the new Lambda sensor, given the mileage (217k) there's a fair chance it's the culprit, they only have a service life of 100k miles or 10 years. Cats only last a similar lifetime but can often be recovered with Cataclean or similar (someone mentioned the Forte Advanced Gas Treatment, similar stuff, does similar things) and an Italian Decoke.

Before you start adding the new parts, pull fuse #1 out and leave it out while you add the new parts, replace afterwards before starting. This will erase the fault codes in the ECU memory giving it a "clean slate" to start with so the ECU can take advantage of the new Lambda, air filter, plugs etc and tune the engine for optimal emissions.

May also be worth checking that when the throttle is released, as it returns to idle position it oerates the idle switch in the Throttle Position Switch (TPS). This can be done easily by opening the throttle by hand (engine off) and slowly releasing it and listening for a click from the TPS as it returns to idle position.

Last thing, clean the MAF and make sure there aren't any blockages in it, sometimes with certain air filters there is a layer of foam that disintegrates and blocks the MAF - use carb cleaner or if you can find it, MAF cleaner, squirting it through both ways.

Good luck and keep us posted!

besidetheseaside · Apr 16th, 2019, 12:09

Dave and Jack Thank you. I have ordered the forte stuff and am just about to order the plugs and filter from ECP ( Easter Sale ) the reviews for the forte seem all good even to the point of being solely responsible for a retest pass. The cat is fairly new so that should be ok, I have carb cleaner in stock so will clean the MAF when I replace the filter.

Laird Scooby · Apr 16th, 2019, 12:33

Good luck with it, don't forget to check the gap on the plugs before fitting (should be 0.65 -0.7mm) and set them if necessary, i'd definitely do the Lambda sensor unless you know it's been changed in the past 10 years as a failing Lambda gives a low output, indicating to the ECU the engine is running lean so the ECU enriches the mixture.

I had a Lambda sensor fail during the emissions test once, was fascinating watching the CO level start of normal then slowly creep up!
When it got to 9% the tester pulled the sample pipe out of the tailpipes though so i don't know how rich it would have got!

On the way home, the MIL light came on and i was able to read the code off the ECU when i stopped (non-Volvo, has a flashing LED for the code) and confirmed it was the front bank (V6) Lambda so i changed both, reset the ECU and hooned it back to the test station for the pass certificate.

He couldn't really refuse, it came up as 0.00% CO and something like 90ppm HC so was well within it's limits!

besidetheseaside · Apr 16th, 2019, 12:54

Quick question, BPR6ES OR BPR7ES ??

360beast · Apr 16th, 2019, 13:16

I have BPR6ES in mine

Apr 15th, 2019, 20:48	#2
griston64 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 14:28 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lenzie	Check leads if misfiring. __________________ V70 D5 SE Geartronic 215bhp Saville Grey 2012MY 940 LPT Manual 1996 740 SE 1990

Apr 15th, 2019, 20:52	#3
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:57 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	I would do the basics of plugs, leads, cap and rotor as a start. Monitor the lambda sensor to see what it is doing before considering changing it __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Apr 16th, 2019, 09:59	#6
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:43 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	All items on your list including the new Lambda sensor, given the mileage (217k) there's a fair chance it's the culprit, they only have a service life of 100k miles or 10 years. Cats only last a similar lifetime but can often be recovered with Cataclean or similar (someone mentioned the Forte Advanced Gas Treatment, similar stuff, does similar things) and an Italian Decoke. Before you start adding the new parts, pull fuse #1 out and leave it out while you add the new parts, replace afterwards before starting. This will erase the fault codes in the ECU memory giving it a "clean slate" to start with so the ECU can take advantage of the new Lambda, air filter, plugs etc and tune the engine for optimal emissions. May also be worth checking that when the throttle is released, as it returns to idle position it oerates the idle switch in the Throttle Position Switch (TPS). This can be done easily by opening the throttle by hand (engine off) and slowly releasing it and listening for a click from the TPS as it returns to idle position. Last thing, clean the MAF and make sure there aren't any blockages in it, sometimes with certain air filters there is a layer of foam that disintegrates and blocks the MAF - use carb cleaner or if you can find it, MAF cleaner, squirting it through both ways. Good luck and keep us posted! __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Apr 16th, 2019, 12:33	#8
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:43 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	Good luck with it, don't forget to check the gap on the plugs before fitting (should be 0.65 -0.7mm) and set them if necessary, i'd definitely do the Lambda sensor unless you know it's been changed in the past 10 years as a failing Lambda gives a low output, indicating to the ECU the engine is running lean so the ECU enriches the mixture. I had a Lambda sensor fail during the emissions test once, was fascinating watching the CO level start of normal then slowly creep up! When it got to 9% the tester pulled the sample pipe out of the tailpipes though so i don't know how rich it would have got! On the way home, the MIL light came on and i was able to read the code off the ECU when i stopped (non-Volvo, has a flashing LED for the code) and confirmed it was the front bank (V6) Lambda so i changed both, reset the ECU and hooned it back to the test station for the pass certificate. He couldn't really refuse, it came up as 0.00% CO and something like 90ppm HC so was well within it's limits! __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Apr 15th, 2019, 20:29	#1
besidetheseaside Senior Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 05:55 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Liverpool, now residing in North Wales.	Failed MOT on emissions Hi Guys, Looking for some more help please Volvo 2.0 Turbo, B200FT, red block engine, 1993, 217,000 miles. Surprisingly failed the MOT today on emissions, CO value on fast idle was 0.67 compared to 0.18 last year, limit is 0.20%. MOT guy spotted a very very light misfire (which I had not noticed ) so I am going for the obvious, 4 new plugs ECP list 2 NGK options ??? air filter oil and filter already changed this month new lambda sensor ( I have one in stock ) check for vacuum leaks refit exhaust, very slight blow on back box. Any further tips on what to check/clean/replace will be gratefully received. Thanks, Don.

Apr 15th, 2019, 21:26	#4
besidetheseaside Senior Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 05:55 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Liverpool, now residing in North Wales.	Leads rotor arm and dizzy cap were replaced a few years ago but I will check them and replace if necessary.

Apr 15th, 2019, 21:33	#5
jack taylor Master Member Last Online: May 15th, 2022 15:53 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Torrenueva, Costa del Sol	Hi, The readings on my 1998 V70 were up on last year and it failed ITV [ mot ] A few people on here reco`d Forte advanced formula gas treatment. I threw a bottle into half a tank about a week before re-test and gave the car an Italian tune-up enroute to the test. Levels had dropped and it passed. Given the price of forte it may be worth a try; nothing to lose. jack

Apr 16th, 2019, 12:09	#7
besidetheseaside Senior Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 05:55 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Liverpool, now residing in North Wales.	Dave and Jack Thank you. I have ordered the forte stuff and am just about to order the plugs and filter from ECP ( Easter Sale ) the reviews for the forte seem all good even to the point of being solely responsible for a retest pass. The cat is fairly new so that should be ok, I have carb cleaner in stock so will clean the MAF when I replace the filter.

Apr 16th, 2019, 12:54	#9
besidetheseaside Senior Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 05:55 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Liverpool, now residing in North Wales.	Quick question, BPR6ES OR BPR7ES ??

Apr 16th, 2019, 13:16	#10
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Today 09:14 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	I have BPR6ES in mine

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