Emissions

[willskoda]

Took my Mk3 for an MOT today - it passed but the emissions were high. It was tested on LPG, thankfully, so got through.

My question is how do you reduce the emissions given out by your car?

[steve2006]

Which emission was high?

There are many reasons but the easiest to check/change are the air filter, engine oil and filter.

Was the engine thoroughly warmed up, some times a 30-40 mile spirited drive can blow out the cobwebs if the car is only used for short local jouneys generally.

I assume the engine management kight is not on?

[willskoda]

No warning lights, had been used a little in the morning but not a long drive. Car hasn't been used much lately as it is.

Oil was done not that long ago but not sure about the air filter - is there a guide on how to change the air filter btw? It's something I like to do.

It was the CO emissions. Reading was 2.8, a fail for petrol but easy pass with LPG.

[dave1]

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It was the CO emissions. Reading was 2.8, a fail for petrol but easy pass with LPG.

If it's an easy pass for LPG what makes you think it's high? What was the reading on petrol?

[willskoda]

No, that was on LPG - would it have come down on petrol though?

[cruisermark]

No warning lights, had been used a little in the morning but not a long drive. Car hasn't been used much lately as it is.

Oil was done not that long ago but not sure about the air filter - is there a guide on how to change the air filter btw? It's something I like to do.

It was the CO emissions. Reading was 2.8, a fail for petrol but easy pass with LPG.

Hi will theres a tutorial here on how to change the air filter - have a look around the whole site - lots of useful information

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/maintenance/airfilter.html

[dave1]

No, that was on LPG - would it have come down on petrol though?

I gathered that it was 2.8 on LPG but wondered what reading your car was giving if running on petrol. If 2.8 is a fail on petrol but a pass on LPG then the obvious conclusion would be that VOSA accept that LPG emits more CO than petrol and give different pass figures.

edit......I now see that cars presented for test running on LPG might be tested as if having no cat fitted? which then allows higher CO figures. Seems strange though!!!

[Parrot of Doom]

Running rich, in which case as people have suggested, try the air filter. Also, perhaps the car thinks that the engine is cold, and is burning more fuel to compensate.

[dave1]

Running rich, in which case as people have suggested, try the air filter. Also, perhaps the car thinks that the engine is cold, and is burning more fuel to compensate.

Could also be caused by the cat.

[abs66]

Hi Will,

The air filter is a doddle to do and if you have the tool kit in the boot I believe the 10 mil spanner is the one you need.

Congrats on choosing arguably the best cars in the world.

[willskoda]

Thanks for your help everyone!