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Hi guys.

I don't know if anyone knows anything about Grey-imports and/or emissions diagostics can help with this !

My 1995 Celica GT Convertible has just failed its MOT on the emissions test ....

The car is Jap-spec, and has the 175Bhp GT engine (but NOT a turbo) (I think the engine code is 3S-GE)

I shall give you a run down of the saga I have been on today.

Failed this morning as CO levels way too high (7.8% CO) and lambda value also way out.

MOT tester suggested taking to a diagnostic place. They were too busy to run a full check, but ran a fault-code reader onit, which revealed just the coolant sensor returning "out of range values". The sensor apparently had dirty contacts, so was cleaned and WD-40'd and seemed to be working OK after this, and the fault was reset.

The diagnostic chap then ran it on his emission-tester, but the CO was still very high and lambda still way out.

He suggested it was probably the lambda sensor, especially as he had replaced quite a few toyota ones in recent times.

AS he wasn't able to give any time, I then found a local independent Toyota/Lexus specialist, who checked the fault codes, and said there were none at all registered.

They suggested that as Jap spec cars are designed for 100RON petrol, and the tank was empty, I try refilling with Shell V - Power, give it a good caning on the dual-carriageway, and take it back to be restested, as the engines don't like our 95RON and they don't run as well.

I did this, and on re-test it still failed, but this time the Lambda reading was "very good" but the CO was still at 1.1% at fast idle (Limit is 0.3%)

I went back to the specialist and they suggested that the catalyst and lambda sensor might both be working sub-optimaly and combining to give the high CO reading. Also may have wrong spark-plugs fitted.

They said running on 95 RON petrol over here can cause these problems, and these cars should be run on 97 Super-unleaded to stop this happening.

It is booked in to have both Lambda sensor and catalyst replaced........

I've owned the car approx 1year, it was imported early 2006 as far as I am aware, and was purchased with a new MOT. It has done 60,000 miles approx (90,000km),and I have only done about 2000miles (3000km) in the last 12months - it has spent a lot of time standing, but has been kept under cover, so not out in the wet.

The air-filter is very new, the oil quite clean, and it runs very well (goes like poo {edit by DD, next time I delete all of the post} off the proverbial)

I would like to know :

(A) IS the diagnosis of lambda/catalyst correct, or could it be just one of these components, or someting else ?

(B) Can using 95RON petrol really cause these problems, - I could understand it may give sub-optimal performance, but actual damage to sensors/catalysts ?

(C) Will using 97 super-unleaded in future stop this happening ? I really don't want this hassle in future years .

(D) will intermittent and low use cause/contribute to this problem too ?

MAny thanks in advance for some help with this potentially expensive problem ! Read more

hi, could anyone tell me how to reset the service light on a 2002 renault megane scenic rx4 1.9dci? i tried the usual methods of hold down odometer button whilst turning ignition on, this just gives me oil flashing in the display and some underscores where i assume the mileage to next service should be, also tried holding in the button for the on board computer on the end of the stalk and this just brings up alot of symbols in the display and causes the needles on the clocks to go from minimum to full and back again until the ignition is switched off, although the service light does go out when doing this it reappears at next start up. reaon i ask is it's my sisters car and it wasn't reset when serviced at an independant garage about 3 months ago so i suspect she has no chance of them doing it now

cheers
chris Read more

Do you use a small amount of grease on wheel bolts to stop them from seizing on or do you think this can cause problems ? Read more

My 5 series Touring is now nearly six years old, but has done a low mileage. I am following the BMW service plan and obviously the car has been MOT'd and as part of this tyre tread has been checked and signed off. However obviously weathering must impact the life of the tyres. As the car is six years, how much longer should I keep them?

Any thoughts appreciated Read more