Emissions Testing

[Essex Stag]

My 1977 Stag is due for an MOT next month and it struggles to get through the emissions test but does just scrape through as it is a V8 shouldn't they try both exhaust pipes as one bank could be running bad and the other perfect. Also does anyone know when we become exempt from this test as my 1961 Rover P4 does not have it and it is just a visual check for excessive smoke

Derek

[LAMBRETTLAD]

Do they have to do the test? I thought as long as it was not excessive it was ok
.?????? Others will know

[Guest]

Do they have to do the test? I thought as long as it was not excessive it was ok
.?????? Others will know

On a 77 car yes, as they do with my 76 car. Can't remember what year the smoke test is but I think around 73?

[GDPR]

You don't - ever. Up to 1975, visual check only, after 1975 4.5%co and 1200 ppm HC. If you have an engine that struggles to pass emissions there is something fundamentally wrong. I have 3.2% co that hasn't changed or been adjusted for years and have tuned down to 0.2% keeping an idle.

If you look at the inlet you'll see that each carb feeds two cylinders per bank so it won't be sided - the only variations that would appear would be through exhaust airleaks

[DJT]

1.1 Types of test
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 registrationin 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.

[Andrew S]

Hi Derek. The last Moti had, they did both exhausts and took an average and it just past. If it's a friendly garage they usually let you have an idle rev of 2500 if you can keep your foot still long enough. ����

[Essex Stag]

I am taking the car to Robsport soon to get the inlet manifolds done AGAIN as my monkeys did not do them properly about 2500 mile ago . I will get then to change the oil with the Valvoline VR1 20/50 that I am using at the moment and get them to reset the carbs as I have a suspicion they never have been right and if they cannot do them right as have have heard good reports about them . My garage are very sympathetic to old cars anyway so if there is a way of passing legally they will do it . In fact the owner is 83 and still working and doing MOT's says well what else would I do with my time.

[big e]

Last year I was told they couldn't do an emissions test on mine because it was too old and not on the new computer system. They're not allowed to have / use the old wall charts. It was the same for the brake test

[Essex Stag]

Lucky you. Although there must be a standard for the brake testing . Even if my Classics were MOT exempt I would still have them checked as my old 1961 Rover P4 still just needs a test and they picked up one of the rear brakes was only at about 50% as the hub seal had leaked oil onto the shoes . I never noticed it so there was a safety issue that thankfully was picked up, and now fixed.
Derek

[Guest]

My 1977 Stag is due for an MOT next month and it struggles to get through the emissions test but does just scrape through as it is a V8 shouldn't they try both exhaust pipes as one bank could be running bad and the other perfect. Also does anyone know when we become exempt from this test as my 1961 Rover P4 does not have it and it is just a visual check for excessive smoke

Derek

... found this drawing of a Stag inlet manifold...

inlet-manifold-arrangement.jpg

[Stevekid1]

My local friendly garage (good friend) refuses to do an emissions test on my 77 car because he reckons it clogs up the machine for his usual modern stuff and if he does the Stag he has to clean it and reset it before he does the next car. Last time I specifically requested he did it, it passed with no problems.