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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: rich1 on 12 April 2005, 16:54

Title: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: rich1 on 12 April 2005, 16:54
my 1991 golf gti (pre-cat) failed its mot today on a couple of wipers, rear no. plate light but more worryingly the emissions! the MOT man said it was running at 11% and the normal level for this year should be 3%. I'm very worried that im not gonna be able to sort this problem and i can imagine the MOT guy trying to rip me off! Im a competent diy mechanic so hope that i can sort this issue out before tomorrow?

any ideas on what i can do? i have checked the air filter and that is pretty clean, the exhaust is leaking slightly, would this cause the problem? is there a way to adjust the c/o level?

any help much apreciated is this time of crisis!
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: Horney on 12 April 2005, 17:27
Check the Haynes, but I'm prety sure this is all related to the dreaded MAF senser in the Airbox. I think there is a bit you can turn to alter the reaction of said senser to alter the C/O output.

Only problem is you need a gas analyser to set it up!

Nick
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: rich1 on 12 April 2005, 17:50
thanks for your reply nick, i was thinking that the c/o can be adjusted - it can? unfortunately i don't have a haynes manual at the moment, is it that the MAF sensor has gone wrong or is it just a case of adjusting the sensor - if so, how?
thanks!
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: tinman on 12 April 2005, 18:17
If you have a hole in the exhaust its probably the first thing to repair - the hole is allowing air to be sucked in.
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: rich1 on 12 April 2005, 21:32
thanks for all your help. does anyone know how to adjust the c/o, is it an adjustment within the airbox?

cheers
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: Lewy on 12 April 2005, 21:45
Hole in the exhaust? It would've failed the MOT on that if there was one, plus it would have a lower c/o level if it was sucking in air after the mixture has been burnt.

Try looking for an air leak on the plenum side of the airbox, as this will increase the amount of air being sucked in, therefore increasing the amount of fuel being drawn in and burnt, giving you a high c/o level.

If the MOT station is any good they may adjust it for you for a small fee.
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: rich1 on 13 April 2005, 12:05
Its all sorted,

still a bit pissed off though, i adjusted the mixture last night and this morning took it to the mot station, the guy doesn't actually do the mot's at his premises, he does them at his mates as he doesnt have the equipment. he wanted to take the car and make me wait at his garage, i insisted that i go with him, we get there and he plugs the sensor in the exhaust, instead of running rich it is now running lean, so i adjust it to get a 2% reading and i do infact adjust it past where it was to start with! i honestly believe the guy was lying as if it was 11% co it wouldve run like a bag of sh!t and it runs perfectly!

also, the car needed the brake fluid changing and a pedal rubber replacing, i did these, he didnt even ask me if they had been done and he didnt even get in the car for the retest,

moral of the story, watch yourselfs people there is some dodgy garages out there! if you have someone you honestly trust stick with them!! a lot of garages are just out there to make money by lying to people, you HAVE to know what your talking about otherwise they will stitch you up!

Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: wellfan on 13 April 2005, 22:43
Rich 1
Welcome to the sad world of conmen. I would love to meet an honest mechanic or an honest garage. Apologies to all you honest guys out there, however, where are you, I have given up. Where are you?
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: monzablue16v on 13 April 2005, 23:28
More importantly where are you sure people on here know of decent dub garages just ask.
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: Lewy on 13 April 2005, 23:41
Rich 1
Welcome to the sad world of conmen. I would love to meet an honest mechanic or an honest garage. Apologies to all you honest guys out there, however, where are you, I have given up. Where are you?

You cheeky monkey :laugh: I'm an honest mechanic, just ill informed!! And as for the garage, well the Queen owns it, so it should be honest, lol.
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: rich1 on 15 April 2005, 01:28
i know what you're saying wellfan, it does seem impossible! i'm fortunate that i do all work myself and only use garages for MOT's, i feel sorry for those who aren't informed about cars and get ripped off left right and centre,
im lucky that i do know of one decent, genuine garage, the guy is properly sound and is not just in it for the money but to help people out and be a good member of the community. unfortuntely for me i wasn't in the area for this MOT so had to use another garage instead.

It's a bit disheartening when im waiting and theres a corsa van that clearly has seized rear brakes that just need freeing off and maybe new cylinders and the mechanic says 'well hes having new front discs and pads whether he likes it or not' and in this case he really didn't need them.

Ah well, im one of the lucky ones, MOT cost me a total of £60 all in, im sure that wouldve been so much more if id of let the friendly mechanic have his way!

Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: wellfan on 15 April 2005, 19:44
Lewy, must apologise for offending you, was not intentional. I have just had so many bad dealings with garages over the years, and had only this week seen my daughter ripped off by a local Vauxhall garage. Some garages seem to think that when you take your car in for a service you are giving them a blank cheque to do whatever they please over and above the agreed service. I insisted that they remove all parts they had fitted and only paid the pre-agreed price of the service. She only took the car in for a service to maintain the manufacturers warranty. Apologies once again to all you decent mechanics out there. Unfortunately for me and my family we have yet to meet one. I think you guys suffer at the hands of the company or dealership you work for.
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: tinman on 15 April 2005, 20:03
More importantly where are you sure people on here know of decent dub garages just ask.

Exactly. Mine goes is booked into Wagenwheels for at least the next ten years. It goes down there for a month, bit like sending it away to a health farm.
Title: Re: MOT C/O level - 11%, desperate help needed!
Post by: Lewy on 23 April 2005, 18:04
No beef wellfan, you're right though, there are some right robbing gits out there, and they're not all 'back street'.

When I had my A3, Audi wanted £450 to carry out a long-life service I could do in my lunch hour, so I told them to shove it, I sold it the following week for a Civic Type-r, oh I forgot to mention they also wanted £100 on top for a brake fluid change :shocked:I felt like whacking the service manager when he said that, the couple sat next to us who were buying a new A3 were disgusted by my choice of words for their service :grin: