Hi

Really struggling this time, even cataclean in the tank had not got the zafira through, prob is the car has been off the road for a year and its not insured so can't run properly.

It's the hydrocarbons that's the issue, just too high, also burning a bit off oil too. Was thinking of lowering the oil level right down to the min so not much gets thrown around inside. No engine lights come on and the cats not very old. Engines at 120k which is quite high for a vauxhall in my experience.

Needing bright ideas to get through the test

Thanks

Oh yeah it's a 1.6 multi point ecotec 2000

[Edited on 4/9/13 by Mr Whippy]

[Edited on 4/9/13 by Mr Whippy]

When hydrocarbons are the first thoughts are look for a misfire (plugs, coil packs, inlet manifold gasket leaks) and check both the lambda sensor outputs are within spec.

And what sort of cat was fitted?
If a budget one it may well be dead.
And may have been killed for the same reason the original one died. Catalysts are all too often used to mask a problem, in which case they have short lives.

So investigate the misfire etc route.

BTW our zaffy is over 120k now, and despite beeding a little oil now and again, is running sweet as anything. Total outlay in th epast 9 years on repairs is about £200, that includes 2 batteries.....

Forgot to ask what year is the car can't be a 1990?

Oh yeah that's the bluebird, it's a 2000 model

Thanks for the good ideas so far

Cat was a cheap one changed just before the last mot. Car seems a run a bit rich.

[Edited on 4/9/13 by Mr Whippy]

hi
high hydrocarbons and the engine burning oil

as british trident said missfire etc

the engine burning oil will also cause high hydrocarbons

i run a garage/mot station if theres no missfire present then the first thing i'd do is use a forte engine flush and leave it running for an extended time at least an hour minimum and then change the oil and filter use a good quality oil though

this has worked for us before and saved our customers a shed load of money

:-)

chaddy

www.stadiumgarageltd.co.uk
@StadiumGarage on twitter

Thanks for the advice, seeing the car worked well last time it may just be the long lay up that's really the issue. I'll fill it up with more good fuel and run it tomorrow with the front axle in the air and in gear for an hour to give it a good work out and shove it back for a retest on Friday.

If that fails then maybe get another cat..

[Edited on 4/9/13 by Mr Whippy]