SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 1994 1400 SS with no CAT.MOT conducted by same sympathetic garage since 2007. In 2015 started doing in Emissions check. Passed two years in row. Failed yesterday CO 0.49 vs 0.35 when warmed up. HC high at 2338 vs 1200 but the garage expects these to come in to pass if CO sorted. Correct?Garage suggested ECU connection and adjustment of set up. Where is the connection plug to do this? Is this the way to go? Is there anything special for 1400SS Caterham or will the garage with no prior experience with one be OK to adjust? Do they need specific instructions / setting info?But what has changed since last year? The clutch has been changed by experience mechanic. Reading some Blat Chat posts is an air leak from exhaust most likely issue? Anything else that could have been affected?Side Issue: The mechanic spotted a short hose from block side of the SS Plenum chamber casting. It is an open tube. He thought this strange a tried with it plugged. Idle fails. I have never noticed this before. Is it correct to be there?Lots of questions above - what I need is to draw up a list of possible causes & to eliminate 1 by one. All suggestions appreciated - as always.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADMALC Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 The most important thing with our SLR was to get the whole thing hot and I mean seriously hot. A good thrashing and straight on the analyser always sorted ours out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 2, 2017 Member Share Posted April 2, 2017 What MADMALC says. Leak, as you say, but what's the best way to find these? Plugs and air filter. Do you have an Assembly Guide with the wiring diagram. If you'd like one please send me a Private Mail with your email address. Can you add a photo of your ECU so that someone can identify it?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Was the car built by CC, or amateur-built from a kit? Specifically, what are the 6th and 10th characters of the VIN?JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 2, 2017 Member Share Posted April 2, 2017 Side Issue: The mechanic spotted a short hose from block side of the SS Plenum chamber casting. It is an open tube. He thought this strange a tried with it plugged. Idle fails. I have never noticed this before. Is it correct to be there?I'm not sure from that description but is that the hose to the charcoal canister? My canister is on the RHS of the engine bay just behind the washer bottle. See Figure 14.5 in the Assembly Guide (or at least some versions of it).Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADMALC Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 I think John V is on the best track to potentially resolve this quickly and easily, those numbers are important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Thanks for fast responses.- Hot yes but previous years MOT February / cold & yesterday warmed up more than before so this may help but there must be a route cause.- Car built by CC as Autosport 68 used by the magazine. Raced til 1999 with various race related rebuilds. Full chassis rebuild as road car 1999.- VIN plate was checked yesterday & characters fitted MOT Database 1400 Rover that came up. 6th = K 10th = Q full string is SDKRDKRRJQ+numbers.- Have wiring diagram thanks. But where physically is ECU interface plug & what shape / no of pins am I looking for?Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Can you add a photo of your ECU so that someone can identify it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Side Issue: The mechanic spotted a short hose from block side of the SS Plenum chamber casting. It is an open tube. He thought this strange a tried with it plugged. Idle fails. I have never noticed this before. Is it correct to be there?I'm not sure from that description but is that the hose to the charcoal canister? My canister is on the RHS of the engine bay just behind the washer bottle. See Figure 14.5 in the Assembly Guide (or at least some versions of it).The LH (rear) tube goes to the fuel trap on bulkhead. The RH (front) tube is 20mm long & open - is this OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Thanks for posting up the VIN -- SDKRDKRRJQ....The good news is that your car does not need to undergo MOT emissions testing at all, just a visual smoke test.VIN #6 (K) means that the car is recorded as "Kit-built" (irrespective of the Autosport connection)VIN #10 (Q) indicates the year of manufacture (1994)(Explanation of chassis numbers) I suggest you refer your MOT tester to this DVSA guide -- in particular, page 19 which states:CATERHAM CARS The VIN Code consists of the 6th, 8th and 9th digit of the VIN number. Where the 10th digit of the VIN is equal to or less than 'W' and the 6th digit is 'C' or 'K', the vehicle concerned should be considered as 'amateur built' and as such should receive a visual smoke test only.ETA: And in case he's not convinced by that, refer him to Section 7.3, Page 6 of the MOT Inspection Manual, which states:For emissions purposes only, kit cars and amateur built vehicles first used before 1 August 1998 and Wankel rotary-engined vehicles first used before 1 August 1987 are to be considered as first used before 1 August 1975.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Another thought occurs to me.... Does your car have an age-related reg number (1994) or a later one -- 1999 perhaps? JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyldeflier Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 On my car that tube on the side of the inlet plenum has a short hose which connects int th cam cover.on your photo it doesn't look as if your car has the cam cover fitting?I agree with John Vine re visible smoke .......but it must have been amateur built and registered for the road before August 98. So if it was only ever a race car and not road legal until 99 that's where they have got you.John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Thank you John - sounds promising!Car is L reg plate so this should help the age related points the regs make too?Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 .....but it must have been amateur built and registered for the road before August 98.Ah...now that is a very good point, which I fear may fatally undermine my earlier advice!The DVSA document states (my bolding):The emissions test to which a vehicle is subject will depend upon its date of first use (i.e. date of registration or date of manufacture if used abroad before first registration in the UK) as follows: For vehicles first used before 1 August 1975 a visual test will be applied. For vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1975 a metered test will be applied.So, what was the date of first registration? Even if it was indeed in 1999, I feel the OP may still have a strong case for requesting just a visual smoke test based on the kit-built status and the date of manufacture Both the Section 7.3 flowchart exception and the DVSA guidance for Caterhams would support this. Maybe it would be a good idea to ask DVSA for clarification?JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Car is L reg plate...That figures as DVLA will not issue a reg number that suggests a vehicle is younger than it actually is.So, the whole thing appears to hinge on the date of registration.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 DOR = 07 March 1994 Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 No cover over spark plugs - is this what you mean?Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 I still think a diagnostics check of my ECU would not hurt.Where does the garage interface with the unit?Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyldeflier Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 SMerKno not the plug cover .I mean the actual cam cover right next to where your finger is pointing.First reg 94 amateur build= visible smoke......happy days!!John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 JohnEmissions looking +ve! Will talk to garage.Did not think you meant the Plug Cover... thought you meant No Cam cover! Have now understood your comment. Cam cover in place as it always has been... must be photo angle?On google images I have seen a pipe connected on another 1400SS that goes forward under the nose cone?.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 It could be the lambda sensor that is misreading, and so given a to rich mixture. Always worth while to check all electrical plugs for corrosion, clean and refit them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby S Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 For info mines a 1993 1400 Supersport on 1997 plates (was initial used as a Silverstone track day car before being registered in 1997) and I've always managed to convince MOT stations that its a visual smoke test only due to the VIN number.This would seem to be the best course of action Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Thanks Toby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerK Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Elie,do not think I have a Lambda sensor? Would this would be in the exhaust after 4 into one pipe? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 DOR = 07 March 1994Excellent! Home and dry, MOT emissions-wise.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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