Caterham K-Series owner - MOT CO Emissions failure

[Darren-2000]

First year of ownership and first MOT of my Caterham Superlight 1.6 K Series. I am sure I am not the first to have failed CO emissions. It passed the natural idle test, but failed by some margin the first and second fast idle with 1.13 and 0.96 compared to the 0.30 pass. Lambda passed on second idle. HC passed on both. MOT tester thought a fast run may do it, but since we were there for some considerable time and it had, I think, more attempts than 2 at passing with engine running before at above 3000rpm and was thoroughly hot, I doubt this will work. It is a factory car, with a factory 4-1 exhaust and CAT, I believe. Has had DVA work on porting the head under previous owner. Standard Rover ECU. Would be interested in knowing how others turned their CO failure into a pass.

[BertBert]

What age and how was it originally registered? When I had a 1600k it was very hard to get the right MoT test for emissions applied by the MoT tester.
Bert

[AndrewGP]

Darren-2000 said:

Would be interested in knowing how others turned their CO failure into a pass.

You're certainly not the first K Series 7 owner to have issues getting it through an MOT emissions test! My car was tricky to get through, I made sure it was warmed up, then thrashed it on the way and had the emissions test done immediately I arrived (the garage knew about the issues and were really helpful). It also helps to double check which variant of Caterham they have selected on the machine, there are quite a few for K Series cars and you need to have the correct one.

Failing that do a search on Blatchat to find a 'friendly' MOT tester in you area.

[Darren-2000]

BertBert said:

What age and how was it originally registered? When I had a 1600k it was very hard to get the right MoT test for emissions applied by the MoT tester.
Bert

It was registered in 2002. Not sure what you mean by 'how' it was originally registered. It was a factory built car. I assume when the MOT tester takes the VIN number and enters it, the database confirms the limits to apply.

[Darren-2000]

AndrewGP said:

Darren-2000 said:

Would be interested in knowing how others turned their CO failure into a pass.

You're certainly not the first K Series 7 owner to have issues getting it through an MOT emissions test! My car was tricky to get through, I made sure it was warmed up, then thrashed it on the way and had the emissions test done immediately I arrived (the garage knew about the issues and were really helpful). It also helps to double check which variant of Caterham they have selected on the machine, there are quite a few for K Series cars and you need to have the correct one.

Failing that do a search on Blatchat to find a 'friendly' MOT tester in you area.

Well, I'm reassured not to be the only one! At least others will have overcome this issue. This is my first year of ownership. Unfortunately, I was running late for the MOT and hadn't considered this and so no warm up run. The test station is only a few miles away. Although, to be fair to the tester did have the car running for ages and the engine oil and water were sat at 80C and the fan was on. Several attempts were made to pass it. He was trying to get it through by choosing various revs to try. I was doing the revs from the car! Very difficult to find and hold a set revs too! Didn't get the chance to see what Caterham variant they chose. I think wherever I take it next I will be using a bottle of Cataclean and taking the long way there and giving it a bit of stick! Plus asking to get the emissions done first.

Also failed for having a tyre flat spot, but it looked perfect to me.

[BertBert]

I'm not really up on the details (sorry!). But the debate centred around the fact that apart from the LVTA 7s, there weren't any factory cars. The MoT manual says the limits are on the V5C. I'm probably clutching at straws! Do you have any old emissions test printouts from prev MoTs?
Bert

Darren-2000 said:

It was registered in 2002. Not sure what you mean by 'how' it was originally registered. It was a factory built car. I assume when the MOT tester takes the VIN number and enters it, the database confirms the limits to apply.

[Darren-2000]

Bert, I will try to look into this, as it may offer so hope, as I am not too sure the emissions additive and hard run will work. The previous owner gave me most of the MOTs he had during his ownership, but none of the emissions test certificates were attached unfortunately. Darren

[Ult-Jim]

Darren, turn your "allowing to receive e-mail on, on your PH profile. I am sure some would offer some suggestions via e-mail to a fellow Caterham owner

[Darren-2000]

Thanks for that suggestion. Now actioned. (I used to receive the emails, must have unchecked the box accidentally!)