Simviation Forums

Hi all you tech bods!!
Every year my Rover 820 Si fails the MOT on emissions.
It is overfuelling. Is there any way of adjusting the petrol injector feed or is it something only the ECU can control. It has been to Rover for diagnostics check but I might as well have taken it to a brothel for all the help I got. I am not familiar with these electronic systems. Any help appreciated. I have had an Oxgen sensor fitted but that did no good. The only thing that seems to work is putting a new cat on for the test.

Tony

It is fuel injected right?

I don't know much about engines and such, but I would think that about the only way to solve this problem would be to change some things in the computer...

I don't know otherwise..

Is there not some way you can reset the ECU at all? maybe that might work.

On my bike I can get the ECU re-mapped not sure you can do that on cars though??

get a diesel
replace engine with Elsbett' system
then, before you go for the MOT, drain the fuel system, fill it up with sunflower oil...

result: smells like flemish fries and a lot lower emissions

Go to a decent garage!

Probably an engine management issue, almost impossible to diagnose without a look at the car.

Just out of curiosity, if it fails on the same thing every year, don't you recall how you fixed it last time round?

Thanks for replies,

In answer to problems, Take it to a decent garage....answer is always...you must take it to Rover.

How do I sort it each year...put a new cat on.

Anyway, have now brought a Renault Laguna Estate, Rover is now offroad on a SORN until I decide what to do with it. Shame, as it has only done 77,000 miles (L reg) otherwise excellent condition,  in and out.
Thanks for you r help , chaps

Tony

Thats harsh having to put a new cat in each year!

They aren't that cheap either if I remember correctly.  Cats are easily damaged though.  You never want to do short journeys in a car with a cat as you want the cat to get nice and hot to ensure all fuel that passes through gets burnt off.

I think I got a cat in my new bike though how u change it I dont know, it looks like part of the entire exhaust system to me.  Mind you saying that bikes dont appear to be checked for emmissions on the MOT yet??

Hi Gixer,

You are right Cats are not cheap.
Rover wanted

Is there no way to get the fuelling sorted?  My bike I just brought was over fuelling.  I was only getting 110miles outta 18litres of fuel which sucked!

Anyhow down to rolling road had the ECU re-mapped (Leaned out all over the place)  and am now returning 150-160 miles on 18litres of fuel!

I am unsure how this is done on cars but it must be possible with the right equipment.  Have you checked how many miles per gallon you are getting? is it about the correct amount for the car?

As for the sooted up cat try not to rev the engine when cold or just sat there.  As I also said Cat's like to get hot and hate short journeys where they dont heat up properly.

Points noted Gixer,

Yes , the car only does a journey of 3 miles each way each day. Not in the habit of revving when stationary.

Funny thing, the fuel consumption is very good

I still don't understand why Rover, who have all the equipment to test the electronics are so negative. I am wondering whether any other garage that has this equipment would be able to test for me. Willkeep you posted

Tony

Points noted Gixer,

Yes , the car only does a journey of 3 miles each way each day. Not in the habit of revving when stationary.

Funny thing, the fuel consumption is very good

I still don't understand why Rover, who have all the equipment to test the electronics are so negative. I am wondering whether any other garage that has this equipment would be able to test for me. Willkeep you posted

Tony

Therein lies the problem ........ 6 miles per day ... the engine is choking up with soot ...... it isn't getting warmed up enough espscially at this time of year and has been permanently running on the choke. The automatic choke probably needs replacing.

My suggestion ...... get it out on the motorway for a couple of hundred miles then change the cat and take it for the MOT. After that get  the choke checked out and run the car a bit more.

An engine needs to warm up properly to run at it's most efficent. 3 miles takes approx 5 minutes and an engine only really  reaches operating temp after about 10-15 minutes.
The engine in the Rover 820 is a damn good engine ... but it needs thrashing occasionally just to clear it out.

cheers
eno

All engines need opening up every now and then! it keeps things running smoother IMO.

I dont use the m-way on way to work though my journey is about 7miles each way.  Though at least once a week I go onto m-way and on the slipway try to rev my bike through (bit difficult on this one as its a bit mental! )

Do what Eno says before MOT and you should be fine.

My mate had a similar thing on his bike with sooting up.  He was riding my old bike and I was riding his in front.  On slipway I wond on throttle hard and apparently it belched black gunk for a bit then stopped.  He never revs his engine and the soot had just built up! I soon got rid of that though  ;)

Thanks again guys,

Will follow advice, but have garaged it for the time being.

Just one other small thing. Also on the MOT failure it stated 'Door handle broken'...fail. Surely not!!!!!!!

Interested to know if this is procedure???

Tony