emissions mot failure high co fc - PO116

Hi all and a very early merry xmas..

My P38 3.9 1995 failed on just emissions for mot. I say just as have been getting scare stories of possible cats needing replacing. Paid to get it hooked up for fault readings came back with:

PO 116 Engine temp switch failing

PO 340 Camshaft sensor signal error fault.

CO is too high on fast idle - 0.718% instead of <=.300%
HC passed at 36 ppm
lambda failed at 1.045 just over limit of 1.030

Have been reading through past posts ranging from new lambdas to some interestingly sounding emissions pass additive thingy. Had 2 new lambdas replaced 3 months ago along with fuel pump, just lately been smoking out back whitey/grey and smells of carbon. Been running smooth until got it back from testing station where it now feels a bit stuttery, like a small constant misfire which seems to clear slightly if i get to go higher up the rev range.

It is lpg also but has not been used for months..

Any new ideas/experiences most welcome, especially if involves a quick job as need to go Frenchay Hospital on Thursday and police would prefer it if i had a valid mot certificate..

Thanking vous in advance

sorry its done 154k too

The V8's use 2 Temperature Sensors...one to run the gauge and one to send the Coolant temp to the ECU for fuelling...

If the ECU sensor is giving false information the ECU will over/under fuel and cause your emission to be off....

IIRC the Temp sensor is only about £10-15 so would be worth a go...

As for the Cam Sensor - if this was off, your ignition timing would be screwed and the thing would run, but lack power and pink/knock due to miss timed ignition pulses...

If yours runs OK, doubt the Cam sensor is U/S.....

Camshaft sensor can be over £120....!!!

Cheers Saint - given the temp gauge appears fine must be the one to ecu as you say. Going to try local parts places today and have seen its an easy swap to fit oneself - found a reply you made to somebody about one of these whilst googling, as you do.
Did check island 4x4 but couldnt find one listed on website, but lots of other goodies. Given hospital appt is 9.30am thursday wont have time to order one today, but seeing the price of other stuff on there it rather goes against what the mechanic said today in that these cars are not 'for the likes of you and me, only rich guys'
Seeing low prices for rads, starters etc i especially disagree but again as you say the camshaft sensor was listed at 200+ vat - but no mine doesn't knock/pink and no noticeable loss of power given i don't boot it anyway!
Given my time constraints i feel i must apologise as i may have to use halfords for an air filter even tho listed at £17 when island are about a fiver inc vat.
Even tho advisories show an engine oil leak, plus seals on half shafts leaking/seaping, and that the lpg currently doesnt work properly, oh and the suspension levels play up - lead from datatek required mefinx - I'm/we are in love with the beast and feel joy that i didnt even consider this same mechanic's kind offer of an Astra estate for £1400 instead - even though it has had 'new front discs' i might add..
Thanks again Mr Saint will update how i get on

Saint.V8 said:

The V8's use 2 Temperature Sensors...one to run the gauge and one to send the Coolant temp to the ECU for fuelling...

If the ECU sensor is giving false information the ECU will over/under fuel and cause your emission to be off....

IIRC the Temp sensor is only about £10-15 so would be worth a go...

As for the Cam Sensor - if this was off, your ignition timing would be screwed and the thing would run, but lack power and pink/knock due to miss timed ignition pulses...

If yours runs OK, doubt the Cam sensor is U/S.....

Camshaft sensor can be over £120....!!!

Click to expand...

Hi again changed the engine coolant temp sensor last night, and air filter, was still getting the white smoke out back but was running ok.
Rang garage for mot retest on emissions but cannot do til friday so no real idea if its cured the the high co level.

However, start it this morning and even though the temp guage went up to middle, was getting zero heat in cabin, and even though the heated windscreen light was on it wasnt clearing the screen hence am in much doubt that i can take my boy to hospital for appt in Bristol today.

Have listed 2 codes below as rechecked what the mechanic wrote down and to be honest could be 116 or 118 - so just whoping theres someone online now that can tell me which is the other sensor i might need to look at?!
ive gone with po116 until now and so bought the eng temp sensor but is there another sensor relative to po118 at all? Or have i opened up another box of problems with the cabin not heating but the guage running normal, it did even creep up to three quarters at one point.

Many thanks in advance..

P0116 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem

P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit High Input

Took 'rocco' to garage for retest of emissions today, but nobody there who can do it until Monday..
Asked whether they would do the emissions test whilst running the lpg instead of the petrol but they weren't sure they could as 'we have to test it as it came out of the factory ie running on petrol'

Any other lpg runner out there been refused an emissions test whilst running it?!

Ran mine on lpg last night and had a couple of 'pops' and revs dropping temporarily but it was cold and couldnt get above 25mph with traffic. Intention is to just start on petrol from now on and run the lpg full time again.. Cheers again all

They've got to test it as it drove in. If you drive it in on LPG then they've got to test it on LPG. However remember that they've got to road test it for the braking test (unless they've got a groovy four wheel roller set-up) so it's got to run fairly well.

Dude find another garage...

First they say Friday then Saturday and now Monday tell'em to take a fecking hike p!ssing you about like that...

And DB is right, has to be tested as you drove it in, even if it is running on coloured horse poo, thats what they have to test....

crap garage

Cheers both my thoughts exactly..

Monday morning will drive it in there on lpg - on the chance of saving another full mot test fee at another garage - and give them the (last) opportunity to re-test emissions

How did it go in the end?

Looking in the profile and getting the car reg. Then checking DVLA M.O.T expired 27 sept 2012 and untaxed. So I guess it didn't go well and the Rangie is now mud plugging in the sky.