Future of Old Diesel Vehicles

[yeshu26]

So since the emissions limit on diesels was lowered to 0.60 this year (last year it was 1.5) for the car 1.9 TDi I drive, the car failed MOT two times. Passed in third go with 0.58  emissions.

This makes me very pessimistic about the future of my car, and I am sure lot of people out there in the same boat.

So if the engine emissions was .58 this year, does that mean that it will only worsen by next year?

Regards

[brianh]

Doubtful - they can't push beyond what they were originally designed to do. I don't have a diesel Galaxy, but have a read of this
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-changes-from-may-2018-guidance-for-mot-testers/diesel-vehicle-emission-limits

I'd check your rating plate vs what the garage are actually testing against, as they may have got it wrong?

At the end of the day scrapping serviceable vehicles before necessary is part of the whole emissions problem as there is significant amounts of emissions generated during the manufacture process, though our halfwitted government probably don't actually understand that.

[yeshu26]

Doubtful - they can't push beyond what they were originally designed to do. I don't have a diesel Galaxy, but have a read of this
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-changes-from-may-2018-guidance-for-mot-testers/diesel-vehicle-emission-limits

I'd check your rating plate vs what the garage are actually testing against, as they may have got it wrong?

At the end of the day scrapping serviceable vehicles before necessary is part of the whole emissions problem as there is significant amounts of emissions generated during the manufacture process, though our halfwitted government probably don't actually understand that.

1: Apologies, I shall rephrase my question. I meant to say if the emissions from my car are already on the edge, then it could only get worse by next year?

2: Regarding the K value on all three occasions (twice at local council), they both took K value of .60. How come they both got it wrong?

[johnnyroper]

So long as servicing is kept up to date and the mechanicals are in good condition it shouldnââ,¬â,,¢t get worse. If it gets worse then something is wrong in my opinion air or fuel filters clogged,poor injector pattern,low fuel pressure,blocked inefficient cat etc.... if everything is performing as per manufacturers spec then in theory it shouldnââ,¬â,,¢t get worse.

A dose of injector cleaner a month or so before test and some good blasts to heat exhaust and burn off any crap should see it through.

[Mirez]

I used to be against this sort of thing but with the ridiculous was they are going after diesel cars now sod it, the 1.9 has a very easy pass method. Simply unplug the MAF (leave the connector just on so it doesnt look it) and send it for test. Fast pass every time

[yeshu26]

I used to be against this sort of thing but with the ridiculous was they are going after diesel cars now sod it, the 1.9 has a very easy pass method. Simply unplug the MAF (leave the connector just on so it doesnt look it) and send it for test. Fast pass every time

You mean take the whole thing out so it is hanging by hinges, or just the connector?

[johnnyroper]

Unplug so it makes no contact but leave resting in place so it appears to be connected properly.

[brianh]

1: Apologies, I shall rephrase my question. I meant to say if the emissions from my car are already on the edge, then it could only get worse by next year?

2: Regarding the K value on all three occasions (twice at local council), they both took K value of .60. How come they both got it wrong?

Did they? At a guess, they aren't checking the plate, or it does say .60. .60 isn't one of the defaults so they must be getting it from somewhere, given they were all the same its a reasonable assumption that they are checking the plate, but worth knowing what it says and easy for you to check as you have access to the vehicle, different engines will obviously have different values there. The link i posted above shows the stickers so you should be able to answer that bit once you locate it.

And best bet if you want to increase chances of passing first time as jonnyroper has said - service it as close as you can before the test, and a good run to get it hot and burn off any soot before the test should help somewhat. Its generally a good idea to give any modern diesel a good run at sustained high revs occasionally to keep ontop of this sort of problem anyway. Also ensuring you use the right oil can help as well.

[yeshu26]

Unplug so it makes no contact but leave resting in place so it appears to be connected properly.

Thank you,

For my curiosity what does it do?

[yeshu26]

Did they? At a guess, they aren't checking the plate, or it does say .60. .60 isn't one of the defaults so they must be getting it from somewhere, given they were all the same its a reasonable assumption that they are checking the plate, but worth knowing what it says and easy for you to check as you have access to the vehicle, different engines will obviously have different values there. The link i posted above shows the stickers so you should be able to answer that bit once you locate it.

And best bet if you want to increase chances of passing first time as jonnyroper has said - service it as close as you can before the test, and a good run to get it hot and burn off any soot before the test should help somewhat. Its generally a good idea to give any modern diesel a good run at sustained high revs occasionally to keep ontop of this sort of problem anyway. Also ensuring you use the right oil can help as well.

Thanks Brian

Where is this plate located in case of my car? ta

[brianh]

Thank you,

For my curiosity what does it do?

Measures the amount of air being sucked into the engine, which is then used to calculate the fuel required. Unplugging it would cause it to use a default value until its plugged back in later rather than the optimal value for the amount of air based on the sensor data.

Thanks Brian

Where is this plate located in case of my car? ta

Good question - I don't have a Galaxy (or Sharan for that matter) new enough to have one, but would expect from other cars that it will be either somewhere around the drivers door (could be on the pillar) or under the bonnet near the front. Someone else might be able to help with that, but it would typically be on the same plate as the VIN number going by the examples given in the link.

[johnnyroper]

On my mark 2 it was located drivers side just behind suspension tower,if you look down the gap next to bulk head extension when bonnet up you will see it.

[yeshu26]

On my mark 2 it was located drivers side just behind suspension tower,if you look down the gap next to bulk head extension when bonnet up you will see it.

Cr@p, mine is half peeled off! Now where shall I find it?

I am thinking that I will email VOSA myself, and ask them the true answers.

[brianh]

It might be worth enquiring with your local VW dealer if they can confirm the info for you, But the way I'd read the other link, if the value isn't visible on the plate it should be tested to the defaults which doesn't match what you have test results for.

It might be worth asking the garage that did the MOT to clarify otherwise?

[SirDavidAlhambra]

I think you can get additives you can chuck in the tank before the MOT which have a ââ,¬Å"pass or your money backââ,¬Â guarantee so might be worth a try