trulskaare Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Make: Volkswagen Model: Golf 2.0 8v GTi Year: 1996 (Nov) Engine: 1984 Engine Code: AGG Mileage: 61000 I bought this Golf just over a year ago when it had done about 45000 miles and had a brand new MOT. Now I'm overdue for my MOT renewal because it failed on the emissions test. The car was working fine until about 50000 miles when the revs would drop when the clutch was pressed and it would stall. I took it to a VW specialist where the diagnostics said the lambda sensor was faulty. They cleaned the throttle housing out which helped for a couple of days. When I brought it back they did exactly the same as before and the car was getting better. I read about this proble on the forum and decided to change the spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, lambda sensor and ecu relay. The car was working better, but never perfectly like when I bought it. Anyway, yesterday I took it for the MOT where it failed the emissions test. The results were as follows: Engine oil temp: 81 OK Fast idle test: Fail Engine speed: 2655 rpm Pass CO level: 10.26% Fail HC level: 397 ppm Fail Lambda: 0.73 Fail Second test was pretty much the same. 10.5 for CO levels, 500 ppm for HC level and 0.71 for lambda. Natural idle test: Fail Engine speed: 806 rpm Pass CO level: 9.34% Fail I was advised that I need a new catalytic converter (at over 260 pounds) to pass the emissions test. I was a bit dubious to this comment and opted to get a second opinion. I took my car for a diagnostic test at my local garage where the readings were worrying again. There is no regulation, so the system is always on rich. The control is ready, but 1.13 volts. Lambda sensor should cycle up and down in the 1/4 - 3/4 range. He said it could be the lambda sensor that is faulty wired or the ecu is bust. Does anybody have any suggestions or similar experiences? Thanks for any input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 First thing I would check is the Water temperature sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Trulskaare also forgot to mention that all the sparks plugs that were put in and taken out had black soot on them! I think that this confirms overfuelling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulskaare Posted August 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 The engine temperature stays normal while driving. Bang in the middle for the analog needle. Usually takes about five minutes to reach that point. In my trip computer it says that the engine temperature is usually 80, and 90 if driving at higher speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Not the guage, the one that tells the engine ECU the coolant temp ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteA3TDI Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 check for air leaks on the intake aswell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulskaare Posted September 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Ok. Do you know where I can check the sensor? I'm not sure where it is located. Thank you very much for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 There are some tests but the best way is to plug in something like VAG-COM and check the temp the ECU is reading. There will either be 2 (2 pin)sensors in the plastic water flange on the front of the cylinder head (blue is ECU feed) or there will be 1, 4 pin, the 4 pin does the gauage and the ECU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Are there any Vag-com people living around the Cambridge area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulskaare Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 There's one J7 on M11, but I can't really drive my car that far as the MOT is not valid till I sort my emission problem. I'm taking it to a VW specialist tomorrow to hopefully get an answer as to what is wrong. Hopefully they'll have a VAG-COM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulskaare Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Just got a call from the vw specialist who said it's a faulty fuel pressure gauge regulator. 61 pound something for the part, so if that solves my problem, I'll be very happy! Cheers for everyones help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Fuel pressue regulators can cause the problem you have, just they are very rare to fail. Hope it fixes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulskaare Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Yeah. I know. I really hope it's the problem. It's quite likely that my cat has been contaminated though, as I've been overfuelling for quite some time now. Fingers crossed. They'll do an emissions test after changing the fuel pressure regulator. I'll let you know on thursday! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulskaare Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Great news. Just picked the car up. They've changed the fuel pressure regulator and done the emissions test. It's passed with flying colours now, and it's like driving a new car. It cost me almost 120 quid to get it done, but is well worth it. I've been spending 15 quid a day on petrol commuting to work, so I'll make that back pretty quickly. I'll have to pay for another mot however, so in total that'll cost me over 80 quid... and road tax end of this month. That's cars for you. Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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