Can someone please help me to make sense out of a smoke test result?

[Greg_0ry]

Mercedes R-Class 320
2009
Size (cc): 2987

My car dis pass what is great but I am not sure how good ir bad the values I am seeing are so a bit help would be very helpful.
Thanks

 

[Uncle Benz]

If you look at the vin plate in the drivers door shut there is a number in a box which is the test limit for your car. 0.51 in this case.

 

[Uncle Benz]

If you have no moral compass you can scratch that box out and they have to test it to a higher limit based on the vehicle age.

 

[curious]

The maximum smoke value for your 2009 R320 will be either the plate number, as described by Uncle Benz, or 1.5m-1 if no value in the box.

 

[Greg_0ry]

It seems it’s 0.7
However, it doesn’t tell me if the values I see from the test are higher than they should but still under limit or if they are normal

 

[curious]

Your test value would be 0.7 and fortunately 0.43 is under that.
Do you know what the historical values are to see if it's moved much over time?

 

[Greg_0ry]

I am able to download the test certificate I believe so let me find out (Good idea btw.)

 

[curious]

I don't think it's on the test certificates. It's usually given to you at the time the test is done on a separate piece of paper printed from the smoke test machine (as in your initial posting picture).

 

[Greg_0ry]

I don't think it's on the test certificates. It's usually given to you at the time the test is done on a separate piece of paper printed from the smoke test machine (as in your initial posting picture).

I actually found most of the results in one of my folders and it seems its sometimes high other times low. I have the strong feeling it depends on how hard they test but anyway I am ok with that for the moment.
Thanks everyone for your help

 

[M80]

I have the strong feeling it depends on how hard they test

or how hard it's been driven before testing.
Up to temp, a good hoofing, can clean them out.
As can some additive, but some are snake oil.

 

[Greg_0ry]

or how hard it's been driven before testing.
Up to temp, a good hoofing, can clean them out.
As can some additive, but some are snake oil.

Yes, you are correct!
My car has failed last year and tge tester suggested to take the car for a spin before testing and it has worked

 

[M80]

Tbh the smoke test is a patronising attempt to show the population that there is attempt to reduce emissions.
Testing at different state of engine temperature, usage can create different results.
It fails cos the engine isn't hot enough.
It fails, gets hoofed, and the retest is satisfactory.
It fails, someone pours in an overdose of additives, retest some time later, and hey ho.
Some poor sucker might scrap the car because of a tank of poor fuel.

I'm not saying it's common but some great results are due to the tester not inserting the probe so far.

In essence wot am sayin' bro is a test dont not mean the car is gud or bad. More lucky or unlucky, imvho.

 

[Greg_0ry]

Tbh the smoke test is a patronising attempt to show the population that there is attempt to reduce emissions.
Testing at different state of engine temperature, usage can create different results.
It fails cos the engine isn't hot enough.
It fails, gets hoofed, and the retest is satisfactory.
It fails, someone pours in an overdose of additives, retest some time later, and hey ho.
Some poor sucker might scrap the car because of a tank of poor fuel.

I'm not saying it's common but some great results are due to the tester not inserting the probe so far.

In essence wot am sayin' bro is a test dont not mean the car is gud or bad. More lucky or unlucky, imvho.

Thats a little bit my thoughts to be honest.