C5 MOT failure. Help!

[javi1892]

Hi everyone,

I went for the MOT test last week and my C5 failed due to the folowing reasons:

- Offside front windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Question: where can I find wiper blades for the C5?

- Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specifie limits. Should be 0.970-1030 and gave 1196 in the first test and 1072 in the second one. The car was driven from home to the garage first thing in the morning (which is about 100 yards away) which didn't gave me the opportunity to warm the car up properly or clear it out. I normally drive my car everyday in heavy traffic so it doesn't have the opportunity to strech its legs very often. Any suggestions about what should I do to sort this issue?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Javier

[vaughan watkins]

I would expect Keith @ Eurovettes will be able to help with the blades, or Stratstones should stock them, as for the emissions, always always give the car a good run before an MOT ( a good thrashing) i am suprised the MOT man didnt let you know that was probably the problem, most good MOT men would have told you that, mind you with the new rules they can charge you for the re-test!!

[javi1892]

Thanks a lot. I'll do that for the re-test.

I've found these wiper blades in ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOSCH-WIPER-BLADES-CHEVROLET...

Would they fit in my C5?

Edited by javi1892 on Sunday 9th December 11:39

[owenemyr]

Whenever I have a car MOT (any vehicle), they allways seem to require new blades, its almost a "right of passage"

[ringram]

Yes unless the car gets to a certain temperature the O2 sensors do not adjust fueling.
From memory its 50*C but as mentioned you should get your car good and hot. A hot engine burns fuel more effectively as it gets vaporised better etc.

[TheBlueDax]

Those wiper blades definitely fit a C5 'cause I got those for mine,they're a good price too.
The Blue Dax

[franv8]

Car should be warmed up for the test anyway - if the tester did it without the engine coolant temperature in the normal range then he/she didn't follow the procedure.

Yes, taking it for a good run might help, but in truth, with levels like that your cats sound shot.

[javi1892]

franv8 said:

Car should be warmed up for the test anyway - if the tester did it without the engine coolant temperature in the normal range then he/she didn't follow the procedure.

Yes, taking it for a good run might help, but in truth, with levels like that your cats sound shot.

I hope that's not the case. The limit is 1030 and the car gave 1072 on the second run. Is that really that far out to consider that the cats may be broken (I'm really asking because I don't have a clue). I need to know before I re-test. What's everybody's views on this?

[ringram]

I thought under 1 was rich and over 1 was lean with Lambda?

[Vet Guru]

Try Ian Goss Services He holds most service parts in stock and can do MOT's.

[ringram]

.. It is, I just checked. In which case its running lean. More likely dodgy o2 sensors? Any code? Are they in stock location? (ie) Do you have aftermarket headers etc? Too much o2 in the exhaust, maybe you have an exhaust leak post cat?

[falcemob]

Maybe the tester didn't realy try very hard for the cat test. If you can't get the correct blade why not get one the same length and change the rubber?

[ViperDave]

there's nothing special about the wiper blades, just take one down to halfords and get replacements the same length.

I'd say on the emissions its probably either engine not up to temp, but most likely the probe wasn't in far enough or you have a leak if its not a stock system.

Chances are the tester took a disliking to you for some reason and screwed it up, funny how you can always tell if you will pass or fail on silly things like this from the body language of the tester as soon as they get in the car.

Edited by ViperDave on Sunday 9th December 20:13

[javi1892]

Thanks a lot for your help!!
I'll definitely go for the re-test once the car is properly warmed up and after a few miles of motorway run. The fact that the reading dropped so much from the first to the second run suggests that the issue could be sorted by doing this.
If it fails again I'll have to bring it to the garage.