1999 3rd Gen MOT Emissions Failure

[airmanuk]

My 1999 unmodified (apart from the exhaust) RX7 has just failed its emissions test.

Due to the fact that it is post 1995, and not listed in VOSA database (RX7 is in it but not with chassis number FD3S.....) it undertook the Basic Emissions Test for CAT equipped cars which it failed. The figures for the fast idle (2500-3000rpm) test were CO 1.97% (Max allowed 0.3%), HC 202ppm (max 200ppm) and Lambda 0.937 (allowed range 0.97 to 1.03).CO in particular seem way out so am I right in thinking it is impossible for an RX-7 to pass this test? Incidently the car did pass on the natural idle test.


I rang up the VOSA help-line and they confirmed that this is the correct test for the RX-7. No mention of doing a non-CAT test if the chassis number is not FD13B2.... The garage also rang them and got the same story. Anyone have a contact there that knows different?

I also rang up the importers who said it should get through the FD13B2 test, but the garage wouldn\'t do this as the car chassis numbers don\'t match.

What do people generally do to resolve this? It has been suggested that modding the air pump solenoid, such that the air pump remains on at higher RPM, might work. However, having just looked at the Mazda Service manual, it implies this cuts off at 3250rpm, so during the test it would have been on.

This situation with post 1995 cars must have been going on for years, yet it is still very difficult to get even a standard car through the emissions test. I can\'t believe that it has not been resolved yet.

Air conditioning was on of course.

Regards.

Neil

[J4P RX]

Originally posted by airmanuk
What do people generally do to resolve this?

Generally, I would suggesting taking it somewhere for the \'special\' emissions test

:rollin

[Fish]

Fit an Apexi to get around this problem. Lean it off for the test (WITHOUT SAVING) then reset it for normal usage.

Fish

[rxangus]

An interesting question and one that I have asked being the owner of a post 95 FD.

The possible solutions are:

i) Go a MOT station that "understands" rotary engines!

ii) Fit a replacement ECU and lean it for the test.

iii) Try and pass it off as a pre Aug 95 car to get the less strict test criteria. I obviously wouldn\'t do this (!) but could as I have private plate and therefore no easy way to gauge the age of the vehicle. In fact the seatbelts have 1995 printed on them even though it\'s a 1996 car.

Rgds

Angus

[Andyp]

dude take it to the ever so wonderful (guess who\'s getting his car mot\'d this weekend) Thames Valley MOT  he knows his rx7\'s and will help ya out

not far from ya either!

[johnf]

There seems no consistency with MOT [along with insurance companies]

Took my .98 into the local garage for mot, passed without any problems. Pretty standard except fot Blitz induction and exhaust systems[with cat].

[Andyp]

that\'s why I\'m driving 60 miles to have mine done.. bloomin local mot station has failed me every year I went with my old car, hoping this year will be my first sucessful one now that I got a good car

[davefrith]

How can the seatbelts have 95 on them if its a 96 car ?

Just interested

Dave

[rxangus]

Car manufactured in 1995, first registered in March 1996..... the registration date is what\'s used to determine emissions test type.

Angus

[davefrith]

cheers I have the same thing with mine

Go to a "friendly" MOT place, saves all the hassle

Dave

[Griff]

This makes for interesting reading, esp as I am looking for an RX7 at the moment.
Guess I need to find an MOT \'friendly\' garage to do my tests when I get the car.

[Andyp]

surry isn\'t far from reading is it?

[Griff]

Originally posted by Andyp
surry isn\'t far from reading is it?

No, its a quick trip up the m25 and m4. Takes about 25  - 30 mins from Sutton on a good day. Since I will be moving fairly close/r to Reading (South Aldershot) in the next few weeks, it will be even better for me.

[airmanuk]

Thanks for all the replies.

Interesting that JohnF\'s local garage passed it OK. Do you have the readouts still John, and do you know what they tested it against?

As for me, I am taking everyones advice, and head off to Dave\'s in Reading on Monday afternoon.

Regards

Neil

[johnf]

I\'ll see if I can find the readouts tomorrow