Emissions on a modern - now passed

[fastblatt]

Good morning chaps. My partners modern (BMW X3 2.5 Petrol 2006) failed the mot yesterday on emissions. The car hasn’t been used much for about 3 months and they battery had gone completely dead for a few weeks. I charged the battery and and got the car running last week but didn’t drive it anywhere then 2 days ago she started the car and let it idle for about 20 mins. Yesterday she drove it 5 miles to the mot where it subsequently failed. The fast fit garage suggested they put 2 bottles of cleaner through the car to clear it at £20 a bottle but I’m not sure so declined. The EML isn’t on and there has been no problem with the car. It currently has no mot so although I would like to try an Italian tune up it would have to be a discreet one 😉 .as the retest is free I’m inclined to try any reasonable suggestions and retest it before having to take it to a garage that knows their stuff. If anyone could point me in the right direction as to what to look for I would be most greatfull
Mark

[zeberdee]

All depends on what part of the emissions test it failed .

Lambda , CO , etc .

Did the results get any better after the 2nd part of the emissions test ??

[fastblatt]

That’s a good question. I’ll check the data and get back to you.....

[fastblatt]

Ok I’ve had a look at the fail sheet and the fail was exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (reading was 0.51 limit is 0.20]
Just done a quick obd11 scan and there are no faults
One thing I forgot to mention is this is a lpg car and I think it was tested on lpg (although I don’t know) if that makes any difference
Mark

[zeberdee]

Might be worth running it on Petrol , getting it up to temperature , then holding it at 2500 rpm for 5 mins .

This would burn any debris of the lambda & cat .

Also having it tested on Petrol might help ??

[fastblatt]

Yep that’s my thoughts and glad to have it confirmed by someone else. thanks bud

[kevins]

It might be they simply didn't warm it up enough, our mx5 failed the first attempt at .28 but he just re-tested it straight away and the second was 0.14. He said it often takes a while to get the catalyst warmed up properly, a good thrashing on the way to the MOT will often help.

[welshpug]

I'd give a longer route to the retest a crack to be honest.

[swampy442]

Run on petrol, give it a good beating to get it nice and hot before the test

[fastblatt]

Ok so the verdict was...... new air filter, oil and oil filter, turned off the gas, took it out for 20 min in second gear and made sure at was driven the same before the test. A pass was achieved 👍🏼 Thanks for the advice.
Mark

[jamesd1972]

Sounds horribly like the fast fit place was over selling the cleaner knowing that a bit more of a warm up whilst putting the cleaner in would do the job.
Glad it passed not sure id go back there though ?
James

[62herald]

Exactly why I'm picky about where I MOT my cars. My guys would ask me to take it for a thrash/do it themselves and retest (at no cost of course)

[ChasR]

As said, I reckon the garage didn't let it warm up.

Most testers will now have a dipstick to go into the where the normal dipstick goes so as to check the temperature of the oil, with the computer checking that it is over 60 degrees Centigrade.

[fastblatt]

Aug 7, 2019 15:28:39 GMT jamesd1972 said:

Sounds horribly like the fast fit place was over selling the cleaner knowing that a bit more of a warm up whilst putting the cleaner in would do the job.
Glad it passed not sure id go back there though ?
James

Yep I think you’re right
Mark

[dodgerover]

If it was tested as lpg in pretty sure that should have been a pass anyway.