macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 12, 2006 Hi, I have acquired a 306xsi (I know it isn't a 205, but have a heart!) which has failed it's MOT on emissions. I want to get this going by myself, without resorting to a garage, so I need some advice. Initially I intend to change the plugs, pour some injector cleaner in and take it for a thrash on a local private road, late at night. If that doesn't help, what else should I look at? I'm thinking lambda sensor. Any advice gratefully received. Cheers, Antony Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonofsam 5 Posted December 12, 2006 Yeah or catalytic converter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars Posted December 12, 2006 Any idea when the lambda sensor was last changed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 12, 2006 Not yet, I should have the car tonight with the history. I guess never, would that be your first port of call? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug309twin40s 1 Posted December 12, 2006 i would say its the cat or lambda sensor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ablister 31 Posted December 12, 2006 depends on what part of the emissions it failed on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,623 Posted December 12, 2006 first port of call would be a service, re-test the emissions then a diagnostic check if it failed again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smighall 1 Posted December 12, 2006 Cat/Lambda/Engine Coolant temp sensor/MAP sensor(Do XSI's have these?)/high idle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 12, 2006 Thanks for all your replies. It failed on 4 emission counts... 1) Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 2) Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 3) Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive 4) Exhaust emission lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. I plan to change the plugs/oil/filter and use some injector cleaner first, then get it re-tested. Should be arriving soon, on the back of a truck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ablister 31 Posted December 12, 2006 Cat/Lambda/Engine Coolant temp sensor/MAP sensor(Do XSI's have these?)/high idle? Yeah, they have map sensors. He hasn't said if it's a 8v or 16v xsi yet but the 8v's are bad for map sensors. Best to give it a big service and get the cat red hot for the mot and hopefully it'll scrape through lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 12, 2006 2 litre 8v. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 13, 2006 Well I got the car and it seems pretty good. After putting a new battery on it started on the button and settled to a very sweet idle. All the toys work, electric windows, sunroof, mirrors, central locking. The heater controls were a bit stiff and I think I broke the direction control - oops! It is very dirty and should be worth doing up. One thing is, it doesn't have alloys! Didn't all xsis have alloys? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,623 Posted December 13, 2006 Well I got the car and it seems pretty good. After putting a new battery on it started on the button and settled to a very sweet idle.All the toys work, electric windows, sunroof, mirrors, central locking. The heater controls were a bit stiff and I think I broke the direction control - oops! It is very dirty and should be worth doing up. One thing is, it doesn't have alloys! Didn't all xsis have alloys? Not all XSi's came with alloys, very early cars did come with steelies but they were very few and far between, expecially the 2.0. sounds a good buy, a bit of careful elbow grease should bring it up nicely and a good service should sort it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 13, 2006 It would be a good buy if I paid anything for it, but I was given it for free! It's a 95N, so not that early. To make matters worse, one of the wheels trims is missing. I'm tempted to remove them all for that undercover cop car look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted December 15, 2006 Thanks for all your replies. It failed on 4 emission counts... 1) Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 2) Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 3) Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive 4) Exhaust emission lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. I plan to change the plugs/oil/filter and use some injector cleaner first, then get it re-tested. Should be arriving soon, on the back of a truck! have you checked that the lambda is switching? should switch somewhere between 0.2 to 0.8 of a volt, but there are specified limits for different vehicles. i see rovers quite regulary where the lambda appears to be switching but its outside of specified limits causing it to fail the emisions test. anybody with a copy of autodata (your local garage perhaps?) will be able to tell your there exact limits. mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macaroni 17 1 Cars Posted December 16, 2006 OK, to update thread, the car seems to have a couple of problems, one simple and one more serious. The vacuum pipe from the inlet manifold to the MAP sensor is split and leaking air and one of the cylinders is low on compression, so the head will have to come off. Still, with the head off, I may be able to effect some of the mods discussed the other scrapyard tuning thread ie 205 gti cam and exhaust ports. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
