Exhaust Emissions Warning Light

[ollyjg]

Hi guys! This is my first post so bare with me!

I bought my first ever golf yesterday morning; and its a Y Reg GTi 2.0 (115). I drove it a whopping total of 25 miles before this light popped on. I dropped it into a garage who connected the diagnostics on it and codes come up; but we wasn't sure if some of the codes where from previous owner which hadn't been wiped so we got rid of them all, cleared the light and I drove away.

On my way back to uni last night the light come back on again. I'm a bit annoyed but after doing some reading into it it could either be the Lambda probe or MAF sensor? But my question is... the car has done very few miles in the year or so, less than 1500 or so. Is it possible that this light could of come on because it hasn't done many miles recently... and yesterday was its first proper run in ages?

While I'm at uni the car isn't going to be doing much, but when I head back home, if the light is still on and I am going to take it to a local garage and see what the problem is etc.

Thanks for all the help

Olly

[Metallix]

Certain emission fault codes require several conditions (e.g. speed/load/temperatures) to be met in order to run the test.  This type of fault code can be cleared, but once the conditions are met on a lengthy drive, the test will fail and a code will set.

Emission light requires the code to fail/set a number of times before the light will come on.


Seller may have known that the codes were there and that the light wouldn't come back on until you were far away.

Emmission faults could be numerous things, and for various reasons e.g. component aging, poisoned or damaged sensors/catalyst.

Best bet is to get a local independant garage to scan it for a small fee.

[ollyjg]

Thanks for the reply!

Going to take it into a garage when I am back home and get them to scan it for me

[ollyjg]

Hi guys;

I've ordered a Talk to my car code reader that should be here today; when I get the error codes I'll post them up in here and see if anyone can give me a hand deciphering them 

Also another quick question; I was looking at manually cleaning the MAF sensor and was just wondering how easy this actually is to do? I'm a relative newbie when it comes to working on cars; but the procedure doesn't look too difficult. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Edit: Would this be a suitable spray to clean the sensor with? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_195717_langId_-1_categoryId_255223

[beppe2672]

Yeah
Mate that'll do the job, the only problem is the maf sensor is held in with anti tamper torq screws (like a regular torq bit with a hole in the middle) once out its just a case of giving it a couple of sprays, and leaving to dry.

[ollyjg]

I used that spray and sprayed it just through the case; seems to have improved the general running of the car which is a plus.

Still have a rumble/judder of a sort that seems to almost 'pulse' through the car. Seems like its coming from the Catalytic convertor or the exhaust? Any ideas?

[brewey]

Just an idea but the rumbling feeling you keep getting on tick over could be from the throttle body, as I know mine was a little erratic before cleaning it. I know mine is the 1.8T but might be worth a try.

Remove your TB and then using some rag/ ear buds and carb cleaner get it nice and shiny as I imagine it will be black.

[ollyjg]

Just an idea but the rumbling feeling you keep getting on tick over could be from the throttle body, as I know mine was a little erratic before cleaning it. I know mine is the 1.8T but might be worth a try.

Remove your TB and then using some rag/ ear buds and carb cleaner get it nice and shiny as I imagine it will be black.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will try this

[beppe2672]

Could be worth checking your spark plugs too. That rumble could be a coil pack issue.

[ollyjg]

Again, thanks for the suggestion!

I've been doing some reading up on TB cleaning.. and got a couple of questions;
1) Anyone got a link to a 'how to..' for a 2.0 gti model like mine? Been searching for agessssss and can't find any
2) do you need to disconnect the battery? Some how to.. seem to suggest you do, while others don't mention it?
3) Been reading about realignment and/or adaption.. I don't own VAGCOM nor do I know anyone with it.. is this necessary or will it sort itself out?