Page 1 of 1

Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 9:38 pm
by prodgers69
My 4th gen failed its mot today on high lambda reading 1.262 tester suggested a new catalytic converter should solve this, does anyone know where I could get one quick, mot expires on Monday 16th. All other emission OK


CO: <= 0.300% 0.008 pass

HC: <=200 ppm. 4 ppm pass

Lambda: 0.970-1.030. 1.262. Failed

Is he correct or could something else cause this , no warning light and no codes stored.

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:15 am
by montrose
I just went on eBay and got a sport cat. Came the next day. Just MOT'd my 4th Gen yesterday and if passed with no advisories. And it sounds better too!

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 12:35 pm
by prodgers69
You wouldn't happen to have sellers details, apart from emissions there was no problem, just an advisory for rear brake pads, which I knew needed replacing, got them here just been too cold to fit.

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:51 pm
by montrose
2.5" STAINLESS STEEL 200 CELL HIGH FLOW SPORTS EXHAUST CAT CATALYTIC CONVETER on eBay from turbo_revs - item number is 251230531744

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:45 pm
by bhm1712
High lambda reading usually indicates too lean which can point to a leak in the exhaust system.

Have they ruled out any leaks even tiny ones??

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 6:32 pm
by prodgers69
I thought about a possible leak, but does not appear to be any, taking it to exhaust place tomorrow for them to check, if I can't get emissions down, may be on eBay in a couple of weeks, what's a 3.4 firebird with no mot worth :'(

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:55 pm
by lutonmatt
it should not have a check as pre the rules
if it failed the bet test then you have to match it up to a engine number and as a import the codes wont be there so you just run a basic test at a lot higher rates

your tester should know this

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 5:32 pm
by prodgers69
He's usually pretty good , may have been an off day, any one know nearest mot tester who knows this and can test asap, got expiry date wrong, motd till 26th
Anyone got a link to relevant section in testers manual, could print out and take it to him.

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:00 pm
by lutonmatt
you should not need to state the manual if he is any good

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:19 pm
by prodgers69
Going back tomorrow for retest, have to see how it goes, anyone know nearest yank friendly mot tester to S Wales, don't mind travelling,

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 6:59 pm
by prodgers69
Car passed Mot, at least it now has a new cat fitted.

Re: Failed MOT high lambda

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:10 pm
by Davy J
Good news Paul. :thumb: