C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

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boristhespie
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C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by boristhespie »

So my C5 failed it's MOT.

The washer on nearside went wonky the night before and the ball joint had excessive play. Already had one of these replaced hope it aint the same one.

Of more concern, it failed it's emissions. I had put Redux the night before into the fuel but worried that this has been tried and stiill smokey. Any tips?

Lastly and just as worrying failed on suspension strut having excessive suspension liquid leakage.

Garage who put it in said they must be very strict as they have failed it on a basic eyeball inspection without lifting the rubber boot.

I thought the suspension is meant to be self lubricating and had always worried that my struts were dry and rusty not soaking. But garage is going to have alook and clean it up before resubmitting.

Pain in arse as this is as the hols are beginning. Don't want to be without car for two weeks.

Any thoughts on this welcome.
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reblack68
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by reblack68 »

How bad were the emissions? I generally try to submit my cars on a cold and damp day (no shortage of those at the moment) and give it a damn good thrashing to get it properly hot. If I'm expecting problems I remove the air filter too. Our HDi C5 has scraped through at 2.99 on one occasion and had fast passes since then, without any work having been done in between.

I also go round the car and clean up anything that's oozing, including drying off the inside of boots if I can. I reckon that's the best course of action here.
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by nick »

reblack68 wrote:How bad were the emissions? I generally try to submit my cars on a cold and damp day (no shortage of those at the moment) and give it a damn good thrashing to get it properly hot.
Out of curiosity, why do you favour cold damp days? I've always tended to MOT my cars in mid summer to get them as hot as possible before the emissions test.
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by boristhespie »

Ok passed. Re emissioons the garage took fuel filter out and washed out with that diesel cleaner stuff like the Redux I used.

The suspension: they lifted the boot and a small amount of oil dropped out. Garage said this was normal. If so why the failure?

£252 quideroos to clean strut and get through emissions test.
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by JohnD »

Putting Redex - (I use Miller's Sport 4) - putting it in the night before is too late. It needs to go in several days before and I always give it double quantity. Fortunately my MOT tester is halfway down the M23 so each car gets a good thrashing on the way down. Garages generally whenever they see slight dampness around the top of C5 suspension legs assume it's leaking. Before mine goes in I always pull back the boot and wipe them clean.
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by Peter.N. »

Give it a good thrashing on the way to the MOT, failure is usually caused by accumulated soot in the exhaust, a few bursts of full throttle and high revs should clear it out.

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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by boristhespie »

Anyone heard of the redex in the fuel filter trick?

Not sure if this is the reason I now smell a faint oil burning smell.
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by Mr Tickle »

i agree with reblack68 a good fast trash is always good before the mot
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by Gregg1100 »

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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by oneday »

i always use millers now seems to do a good job of cleaning everything out. i tried redex on other cars doesnt seem to do much even when used regularly. as for putting redex in the filter i dont think i would do that. just run it through with the fuel as the engine needs to be hot for it to stand a chance of it doing anything.
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Re: C5 HDi 2ltr LX 03 failed MOT

Post by mooseshaver »

I've had success with Redex clearing a sticking valve on a petrol.
Usually the stuff is better on short journeys so that it can be left to soak in and loosen the gunk between each journey. I assume it needs to get hot enough to burn off each time too?

I have heard of the sticking it in the fuel filter before but never had it done to any of mine.
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