Failed MOT, but SVA Tues 24th

[beanpole]

Failed MOT today

Forgot to tighten one of the rear suspension bolts.

High Hydrocarbons on one side, limit 1200 mine were double that !! CO Emmisons okay at 3.5 both sides.

The tester said the high hydrocarbons are most likely unburnt fuel. When I got home found that plug number 4 on that side was wet, replaced it and the revs have now picked up and everything seems a little smoother, so hopefully that was the problem.

However on the way back the alternator light came on but the voltmeter reads 14-15 volts at revs, the light is dimmer at low revs but does not go out, is my new alternator stuffed ?

Steve


:} :}

[Philip]

Hi Steve,

I would ignore the voltmeter and use a mulimeter on the alternator's output terminal, should be 13.8-14.5 V. Check earths, especially the engine to chassis, and alternator to engine. May be worth hanging an earth from the alternator straight to the chassis and see if that helps, then youll know if your in the right area. What fuel system are you running?
Phil

[beanpole]

Phil,

Checked everything and found the alternator was charging fine, it was just the indicator light circuit.

Took the Alternator back to the shop ,(bought 9 months ago), they said it must be a diode pack or somthing and gave me a new alternator, everything is fine again.

Steve

:tu

[BILKO]

HI
I WAS TOLD BY AN MOT TESTER YOU DIDN,T NEED AN EMISSIONS TEST ON A KIT CAR FOR AN MOT ONLY A SMOKE TEST, UNLESS HE DID ONE JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THE EMMISIONS FOR YOUR FORTHCOMING SVA.

BILKO

[TonyD]

Bilko,

It depends on age of the engine. Modern engines have to pass the full monty ie FI, Cats etc and less than 0.5% CO, an old boat anchor from the 60's and 70's only needs to pass the visible smoke test, 80's engines the test applicable at the time of the engine's manufacture.

Not that I'm bitter but I've just spent the best part of 4 months trying to get my engine through the emmissions test and only now seem to have cracked it following three sets of lamda sensors ( six sensors in all) two cats and a complete replumbing of both the induction and the cooling system....... engine started at 11% co and now is at 0.3% CO.

And then the thermostat housing cracked today...........

Cheers,

Tony

[BILKO]

HI
AS FAR AS IAM AWARE THE ENGINE AGE EMMISIONS TEST IS ONLY FOR THE SVA, ALL AMATURE BUILT CARS ARE SMOKE TEST ONLY,I EVEN GOT THE TESTER TO LOOK IT UP IN HIS MOT GUIDE BOOK AND HE CONFIRMED SMOKE TEST ONLY AGE OF ENGINE DOSN,T COME IN TO IT.ALTHOUGH HE DID SAY MOST MOT TESTERS DIDN,T REALISE THIS. BEEN TO DAX TODAY AND PETER AT DAX ALSO SAID IT WAS A SMOKE TEST ONLY FOR AN MOT ON KIT CARS NO MATTER WHAT AGE THE CAR OR ENGINE.
WHATEVER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT YOU STILL HAVE TO GET THE EMMISIONS RIGHT FOR THE SVA ANYWAY, SO THE BEST TIME TO SORT IT IS AT THE MOT EVEN IF YOU DONT NEED IT FOR THE MOT.
LUCKILY MY ENGINE DOESN,T NEED EMMISIONS FOR EITHER , MISSES THE EMMITIONS TEST BY TWO MONTHS THANKFULLY.

BILKO

[TonyD]

Bilko,

My car failed on emmisions at the pre SVA MOT stage. I too had originally thought that once I have the SVA I could get away with a smoke test only but was told on this site that the MOT testing standards depends on the age of engine. This was also imparted to me by the tester when I took the car in for its first MOT.

I had been planning to take off the cats once the SVA was done with and this news put these plans on hold.

Now you're making me think again. Anyone know the true position re the MOT test on Amateur built vehicles of whateever age. A quote and reference from the MOT testers handbook would be useful here so I can quote verbatim from the testers bible.

Cheers,

Tony aka confused

[age787]

My bro is a mot tester, i got him to look it up. emmisions page 9
Amateur and kit cars smoke test only.

[TonyD]

Thanks for that. Looks like the cats will only be on the car for the SVA test then...........buggar!! One of them is brand new.........

Cheers,

Tony

[Steve]

my old car (70's SBC) was SVA'd, and had the emmissions test type written on the log book by the DVLA, "Emmissions test, smoke only"

When it was next MOT'd, the tester asked for the log book to determine what test should be applied.

Following that logic I had assumed that my next car (2002 LS6) SVA'd with CATS would therefore need to be be MOT'd with them, as the DVLA would stipulate that on the log book.

Any one know different for sure?


Steve
GDEuro/LS6/T56 in progress
sgullick@waverider.co.uk