E270CDI M.O.T. fail, Emissions! 2.7 Diesel.

[james2747]

E270Cdi ; 2023 Reg.
151,000 miles
Car failed the MOT yesterday due to 'excessive emissions'.
Never had any issues previously or even 'advisories' relating to emissions at past M.O.T's, so find it hard to understand why it occurred this time.
Car has only done 6,000 miles since last years M.O.T.
Tester didn't even do an actual emissions measure test ... he said it belched out so much black smoke when he 'floored it', that there was 'no way it would pass'!
In the past, I have noticed 'a moderate amount of smoke' out the rear when I needed to 'put my foot down' on occasions, say when having to pass another vehicle quickly but it was not what I would ever class as 'excessive'.
Car is well maintained, oil changes every 5K to 6K miles, uses no oil between oil (and filter) changes.
A new Turbo core was fitted a few years ago.
Returns about 45 m.p.g. ... and more on a long run.
Injector cleaner additive and Redex Diesel System cleaner used at least once each year.
When driving, I rarely 'floor it' .... maintaining engine at approx. 2000 to 2500 r.p.m. on long runs.
It is not fitted with a D.P.F. ... car was built just prior to rule change!
Will have it re-tested elsewhere next week but if there are any suggestions as to what action I can take to minimise the risk of another failure ... they would be most welcome.
If the car is not burning oil ... then what is the source of the 'black smoke' that belches out when revved high?
Will additives like: Wynns Xtreme Diesel System Cleaner or Normfest CT 60 Diesel Additive offer any benefit??

 

[onefortheroad]

2003 reg I presume ?

Check for split/loose hoses at the airbox , turbo , intercooler . Give it a good run with redlining just before the MOT , get it red hot , also consider using Dipetane in your fuel.

The egr may just need popping out and cleaning??

 

[M80]

Get an angry Italian to drive it,
but not park it.

 

[DSK]

If it’s that bad, as mentioned above check all the pipe work and seals.

Additives like https://amzn.eu/d/7DyxsRw etc can help and no harm in trying with some enthusiastic driving.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blobcat]

2003 reg I presume ?

Check for split/loose hoses at the airbox , turbo , intercooler . Give it a good run with redlining just before the MOT , get it red hot , also consider using Dipetane in your fuel.

The egr may just need popping out and cleaning??

I use Dipethane and 2EHN in my 2 diseasals and no issues with emissions - better fool economy and “go” as well

 

[onefortheroad]

I use Dipethane and 2EHN in my 2 diseasals and no issues with emissions - better fool economy and “go” as well

Me too last 12 years or so, Plus I'm euro 6 , gotta love the butterflies

 

[Blobcat]

Me too last 12 years or so, Plus I'm euro 6 , gotta love the butterflies

My Landy is pre-Cambrian1, I think…

 

[onefortheroad]

My Landy is pre-Cambrian1, I think…

Start with a handle I presume

 

[Snake Charmer]

Start with a handle I presume

Gas poker until the coal gets going.

I would not have accepted a fail without a full emmisions test, is this a test centre you have used previously?

 

[rf065]

When driving, I rarely 'floor it' .... maintaining engine at approx. 2000 to 2500 r.p.m. on long runs.

I think that's your problem!
Before the MOT, fill it up with premium diesel and take it for a run to get it up to temp, really floor it in low gears as much as you can before you take it in for the test.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I think that's your problem!
Before the MOT, fill it up with premium diesel and take it for a run to get it up to temp, really floor it in low gears as much as you can before you take it in for the test.

+1

The soot accumulates in the exhaust due to low exhaust velocity, as you are not using a lot of throttle.

When floored, 3-4 times, it will blow all the soot out, then clear after that. Take it for a spirited drive for 10-20 minutes then re-test, should go throgh,

 

[Northernsands]

+1 to the above suggestions of getting the engine etc. nice and hot, then flooring it before any MOT. Our '17 plate petrol Mazda3 failed emissions on a cold engine. It only needed to be warm and it sailed through. No other changes. Don't arrive early and make sure they test it whilst still hot.

 

[james2747]

Gas poker until the coal gets going.

I would not have accepted a fail without a full emissions test, is this a test centre you have used previously?

Thank you for your response.
Yes, I must admit I was surprised he didn't even conduct an emission test. No, never used this centre before .... it was a Halfords, and it had the most convenient date and time I required as my usual test centre was booked up.
Think the tester was a bit O.T.T. as one of the 'advisories' he listed, "nearside indicator not as 'orange' as offside!"

 

[james2747]

+1

The soot accumulates in the exhaust due to low exhaust velocity, as you are not using a lot of throttle.

When floored, 3-4 times, it will blow all the soot out, then clear after that. Take it for a spirited drive for 10-20 minutes then re-test, should go throgh,

Thank you for your helpful response.
I'm nearer 70 than 17 so a spirited drive is a thing of the past. Will however give it a proper blast as you suggest.

 

[Blobcat]

Thank you for your helpful response.
I'm nearer 70 than 17 so a spirited drive is a thing of the past. Will however give it a proper blast as you suggest.

Just hold it in a lower gear - don’t have to go any faster - use the gear lever (or flappy paddles if you have them)

 

[james2747]

2003 reg I presume ?

Check for split/loose hoses at the airbox , turbo , intercooler . Give it a good run with redlining just before the MOT , get it red hot , also consider using Dipetane in your fuel.

The egr may just need popping out and cleaning??

Ooops! Thank you for your reply and well spotted 'oneforthe road'

Deffo a 2003 model .... oh, if only I could afford a 2023 Mercedes!!

 

[EmilysDad]

..... No, never used this centre before .... it was a Halfords, .....

and therein lies the problem!

 

[onefortheroad]

and therein lies the problem!

Definitely from another universe,most Halfords staff . National tyres is going the same way now .

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My 2000 reg E320cdi reg accumulated a lot of soot in the exhaust so I always floored in the lower gears once every six months and what came out was on a par to the Admiral Kuznetsov mind you in a gentleman like manner I made sure there was no one following

 

[AlanGunn]

If they didn't do the emissions test and give you a report then they didn't do a full test.
Phone head office and complain and request a refund.
The machine needs a temp to be reached before it will continue the test but you can bypass that bit just have to waite 30 seconds.