Wife's Punto (1998 75SX) passed its' MOT this morning, although it struggled a bit on emissions (Lambda).
Figures were (First figures are today, followed by last two years as a comparison):
Fast idle
CO - 0.21% (max < 0.30%) / 2006 - 0.20% / 2005 - 0.13%
HC - 78ppm (max < 200ppm) / 2006 - 52ppm / 2005 - 38 ppm
Lambda - 1.03 (0.97 - 1.03) / 2006 - 1.01 / 2005 - 1.00
Natural idle
CO - 0.15% (<0.35%) / 2006 - 0.15% / 2005 - 0.16%
The car only covers 2,500 miles a year, but gets an Italian tune up when I drive it and always just before the MOT. Usually run on Shell. Air filter and plugs OK.
Had HGF last year and severe overheating (my wife thought it was making a funny noise, but kept on driving!). It got so hot the plastic timing belt cover melted. Could the extreme heat have damaged a sensor?
Any ideas for the gradual deterioration at fast idle?
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Anyone?
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Anyone?
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can i have 3 pints of lager and 2 cheese and onion flavoured crisps please ;-)
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So,we have a 9 year old Punto that has passed the Mot test with exhaust emissions within specs .What is the problem with that?I guess we have all deteriorated in performance within the last 10 years!
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bell boy - I'll buy you a whole packet of C&O if you have the answer ;-)
elekie - I'm pleased it's passed this year but on current form, it won't pass next year. I'm after some advice on what may be gradually failing and hence whether now is the time to get rid. As for whether I have deteriorated over the last 10 years - my emissions are stronger than ever!
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lambda sensor may have been contaminated when head gasket failed; also if the heater in the lambda sensor has failed it will cool down on idle; but emissions pretty good really; what is mpg like?
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Difficult to comment on MPG as it does loads of short journeys.
It's the Lambda reading I was concerned with as it is right at the top of the range. I don't know how many tries the MOT tester is allowed now to get it to pass, but he took a lot longer than when my car went through a couple of months back.
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Would advise if car is going ok to leave well alone till next MOT; replacement direct fit lambda will be £60 approx usually but not always easy to replace; need a 22mm socket with a slot; what is the mileage and is it still the original lambda? can be tested see www.lambdasensor.com/main/mindex.htm
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Thanks greatspirit for the very helpful link. It mentions on the site that contamination by antifreeze will cause the sensor to fail. As suggested, I intend leaving well alone. I just wanted to know what the cause may be out of interest.
The car has done 62k and as far as I know, it's the original sensor. The site lists a universal 4 wire @ £35 and Bosch universal @ £47.
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