37 replies to this topic

[pothole]

FlyingScot apologies for the info in my previous post I should have written between blue and middle.

[pothole]

Thanks to all for the great advice on here regarding my problem I think you have all cracked it, I suspect the problem was vacuum pipes and fuel trap which I have replaced.

I found my Colortune and connected it to no.1 spark plug and between 1000 and 4000 rpm I have a nice blue light, so I will rebook the MOT and thanks to you all who took the time to help me.

[FlyingScot]

FlyingScot apologies for the info in my previous post I should have written between blue and middle.

Okay no issue, sounds like you have it nailed.

FS

[pothole]

Just an update I took it for another MOT today, but tried a different garage, he passed it on everything but failed again on emissions CO2 by 0.5% on fast idle, the HC passed, Lambda pass, Natural Idle Test passed. So he told me it's nearly there and then sold me some Cataclean, he said run it around after adding that to the tank so took the long way back home and it's booked in for another test Wedsnesday.

So is the cat now full of c**p because it was running so rich, and has anyone used Cataclean, I don't know why but I have always been a little wary of all these super duper additives you can buy.

[RooBoonix]

Just an update I took it for another MOT today, but tried a different garage, he passed it on everything but failed again on emissions CO2 by 0.5% on fast idle, the HC passed, Lambda pass, Natural Idle Test passed. So he told me it's nearly there and then sold me some Cataclean, he said run it around after adding that to the tank so took the long way back home and it's booked in for another test Wedsnesday.

So is the cat now full of c**p because it was running so rich, and has anyone used Cataclean, I don't know why but I have always been a little wary of all these super duper additives you can buy.

Chances are, if it's been running rich, the cat needs replacing. Ive not had any experience with products like Cataclean but I can't see it working magic as it's not that simple. The products inside a cat are somewhat sacrificial, if the cat isnt that old cataclean may work, but if it is quite old I think your best bet is to replace the cat.

[minisilverbullet]

I think a new cat is a good idea. I recently bought one from Eurocarparts, was fairly cheap. 

My SPi sailed through the emissions afterwards. 

[FlyingScot]

As minisilverbullet has posted if the cat has been poisoned the cost of a new cat on a mini is not huge (compared with other cars) so would avoid any kind of "snake oil" treatment.

FS

[pothole]

Well it appears that the Cataclean has done its job, just took it back for the retest and it has Passed, the CO2 reading when it failed was 3.5% it is now down to 2% so a good result, only problem was the VOSA computer was down, so the guy had to fill in the Contingency MOT certificate by hand. The car also feels better, when I put the Colortune on to check the mixture after replacing the vacuum pipes and fuel trap, I had a nice blue light with the occasional blip of yellow and slight blip from the exhaust. That has all gone now it's ticking over lovely, off course it could have just sorted itself out or it could have been the Cataclean we will never know.