Mot failure

[Mrwilson]

My 2013 B9 failed yesterday on emissions, for the second time. It had a result of over 7 when first tested and that came down to 4. something by the end of the test so I took it away and changed fuel and air filters, stuck a couple of bottles of snake oil in the fuel tank and took it out the road for a bit of a talking to.
The re-test showed 2.4 so definitely an improvement but still not the 1.5 required so really I'm looking for advice on the next move. Another couple of tanks of fuel with additive and some more spirited driving than usual or is there a better way?

[Romahomepete]

You obviously havent given it enough of an Italian Tune Up

Peter

[Mrwilson]

Hmm, short of giving it to Travis Pastrana for the weekend there's not a lot more of that I can do. We're just back from another little adventure and I'm not sure if the boss has fully recovered yet.
I was informed a couple of times that I'm not as young as I was and to slow the **** down. I'll persevere though, it's a laugh if nothing else.

[Gryffindor]

If it helps for comparison, I had the same trouble with a C4 back in the spring. It had been garaged for a few months before I sold it and I forgot what that would do to the emissions, and it did.

I put a whole bottle of redex in (not half as the label says) with about 1/4 tank only of juice (as I was selling it), and then did a 2-hour return motorway drive at 60-70 in 4th gear not 5th.

It worked very well - the tester asked what i had done to it!

[geoff]

Always worth using the " super " version of diesel rather than the " supermarket diesel ... my Berlingo runs much better on it - performance and mpg so I'd say the emissions are better too.

Give it a try in addition to the couple of bottles of Redex and Italian, me I like a Gin and Italian ....

[geoff]

^^^ This works well as long as you have a " top loader " fuel filter housing.

[Mrwilson]

Thanks for all that. I'm going to try a combination of most of the above before I try for a retest. I had a feeling I was going back too quickly the first time, just thought I may as well try again after the filter changes and giving it a few quick sprints.
It goes against the grain a bit nowadays, you try to drive with a bit of mechanical sympathy in an attempt to preserve things but it would appear that's not always for the best.
I'll update as things progress.

[Romahomepete]

I use supermarket fuel but I put a cetane enhancer in my tank. Approaching MOT I up the dose.

Peter

[Gryffindor]

I may as well try again after the filter changes and giving it a few quick sprints.

One prolonged one would be a lot better. I went an hour down the motorway, had a coffee at the services, then came back. Go somewhere an hour away for a lunchtime picnic or coffee and cake stop later today.

It goes against the grain a bit nowadays, you try to drive with a bit of mechanical sympathy in an attempt to preserve things but it would appear that's not always for the best.

It is generally for the best and very wise, but there are always the odd moments when short-term higher revs are warranted. To put it in a milder context, low acceleration is best unless you get to a steep hill. Gentle breathing is good but we all need to clear our throat sometimes. Personally, I think I'm addicted to the black Tunes cough sweets, the strongest ones.

Plus you'll still be nowhere near the red, by a long way, on your revometer.

[geoff]

My son has a diesel Vito van and he called recently to borrow my code reader, couldn't lend it as the other boy had borrowed it.

When asked he said the vehicle doesn't run as well as it used to - he has had it about 4 months now

He also just potters about locally like some old biddy in a Morris Minor and does a lazy 55 / 60 on the motorway, the antithesis of white van man.

I told him to give the engine some work to do for a change after using a full slug of fuel dosing jollop and converting to  " super " diesel until my code reader returns or until he went to a garage to get a code read.

He came back a week later and said the Vito is fine now, drives rather keenly and no dash warning lights.

No thrashing involved.