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gritsop
Green Cloverleaf
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 766
Location: Ekali, Athens - Greece
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 Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject: Catalytic converter |
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Hi all,
Looks like my 33 is under midlife crisis. Within the past 2 months it has decided to keep me on the go; fuel tank and radiator leaking, battery going flat (just 4 years old though), braking system almost having replaced everything and still the car pulls under braking and just today I discovered that the exchaust gases are way too high 
Under the annual exhaust gases inspection, the 33 isn't eligible to renew the emmissions certificate as CO is > 2.0 (limit is 0.2) and HC almost hit the legal limits ~120 ppm with tendency to rise.
I had the L sensor and cat replaced in January 2006 which makes it almost 2.5 years ago. The replacement L sensor is a Bosch unit and the cat under the Walker brand.
Any ideas what the problem is here? Should I just go and get a new AmeriCat or replace the L sensor as a first step? The test machine was showing the L sensor rapidly responding to the engine revs ; from lean to rich right away as the throttle was opening.
Any help from you guys before I am after a crisis myself...
Regards,
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive
http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop |
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Admin
Site Admin
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 1223
Location: Stafford, UK
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
First thing to try is a voltmeter over the lambda probe and check that it is responding (the voltage should vary, steady voltage means the sensor is dead).
All the best
Keith
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I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights
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gritsop
Green Cloverleaf
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 766
Location: Ekali, Athens - Greece
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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Hi all,
The L sensor is fine. The gas analyser showed a rapid change in the mixture (lean or rich) as the revs were changing from low to high.
So today, I got a new catalytic converter made by AmeriCat and the emmissions are now at their normal level
I got a new certificate for the next year and figures are :
CO: 0.02
HC: 17 ppm
All within legal limits and on the low side of the limits 
Now waiting for the next problem to arise 
Thanks all
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive
http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop |
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BigAl
P4
Joined: 06 May 2003
Posts: 2990
Location: U.K Surrey
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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put your old cat back on and only put it on for the next mot, as long as there are no road side checks done in your area.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203 |
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gritsop
Green Cloverleaf
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 766
Location: Ekali, Athens - Greece
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BigAl
P4
Joined: 06 May 2003
Posts: 2990
Location: U.K Surrey
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mt
Alfa Sprint
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 177
Location: Portsmouth
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Good you got it sorted Quite scary that the roadside tests are common place, they'd have a field day over here! Hmm, could relieve congestion slightly though... |
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gritsop
Green Cloverleaf
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 766
Location: Ekali, Athens - Greece
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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Although this thread is a little old the catalyst I had bought new in May gave up the ghost not a long ago. 
CO and HC were skyrocketing! Fortunately the shop replaced the cat under warranty although the owner was "confident" that the exhaust had a leak somewhere and oxygen was the reason to "burn" the catalyst.
No matter how hard he tried he couldnt find a leak plus the fact that each bolt and stud of the exhaust were fully tight (even though he wanted a loose bolt somewhere )
Call it luck I found a brand new original AR catalyst for 330 € in an exhaust shop which was a pure bargain. It was a shame to have it escape so i bought it and whenever the Americat fails it will install the original one right away.
Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive
http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop |
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john 33_16v
16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005
Posts: 1406
Location: herts, uk
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
Now you have that warm secure feeling of having a genuine spare cat, the pattern one will last forever now
John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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