Well, it took a week, but today Ratty sailed through the MOT emissions test after a couple more unsuccessful retests last week.The original fail was on a CO reading of 0.55% - it needs to be 0.30% max. First, I plied it with more 'cat cleaner' in the fuel, new air filter, and gave it a real blast for 30 minutes on the road, went straight in to the emissions test with it hot (very helpful garage) and strangely the CO had gone up to CO 1.43%! Fail #2.
So the next day I removed the 'concertina' rubber air intake boot after the MAF sensor and checked it for leaks, filling it with water with a rubber glove over one end and a finger over the little pipe. It was fine, in fact it looks quite recent. I then fitted a new (after-market) O2 sensor just ahead of the cat, changed the oil and filter, fitted new spark plugs, and took it back after a run, this time it was much better, CO 0.45%, but still not good enough, Fail #3.
Next I phoned up the BMW dealer in Inverness, who quoted me £1400 for a new cat. Ha ha - I only paid £700 for the car four years ago when it was going to be scrapped. So at that point, I was thinking maybe I've had four years of fun with it, perhaps I'll make my money back breaking it for parts. However, as we spoke about this, my wife Sara had tears running down her face, she loves the car so much. As do I.
I was reluctant to fit a cheapo after market cat - I only fitted the one on the car two years ago, and there'd be no guarantee that would be the answer. But I did have a look round on the internet, and one name came up with good feedback - Mike at Catman.co.uk in Southampton. He had one in stock - £185 delivered UK mainland, or £215 Highlands & Islands (Grr) So we left it for a few days.
On Monday while I was out, I got a call from Sara saying she thought we should go for it. So I phoned Mike and ordered the cat at 13.30. Wednesday morning at 11.00 it turned up with the courier! Thursday morning, Ratty was on the lift at Ray's and the new cat was on in 90 minutes. (Well we did stop for coffee!) I remembered that a long thin socket extension is handy to get at the lower centre nut in between the pipes. Anyway, it fitted perfectly, and came with manifold gasket and copperised (?) nuts.
So today, Friday, it was back in to the test after a run and ... CO 0.28%
PASS
And, to celebrate, we went for a run to Ullapool, with a big grin on my face!
stopping at Tarvies for a roll and coffee.
After hitting the excellent charity shop in Ullapool, we drove up the coast by Ardmair,
then through the 'Knockan Crag Nature Reserve through the mountains,
to the Ledmore junction, and so down Glen Oykel past Oykel Bridge, and Rosehall, stopping at Invercassley Tea Rooms for a meal of local venison burgers. And then home by way of Bonar Bridge and Alness. 140 miles, running like a bird.
Now that I know that we shall have at least another year with Ratty, I shall get on with the scruffy bits of body work that need seeing to.
All in all, a thoroughly good day!
Cheers
Paul
