High emmissions on 1.4tdi

[Sunflower]

Hi everyone. This is only my second post. Sorry its taken me a while to post any uodate.

I have 1.4tdi and recently changed the wiring loom to see if this would help with injector 1 intermittent fault. It only seems to get worse in cold weathe. Unfortunately for various reasons unable to get injectors refurnished. Everything seems to be OK but will know more when the cold weather comes. I had the rocker cover gasket changed. When I brought the car home, I started to have oil leak. I took it back to the garage decently as had to have both front lower control arms and front coils dome. I did mention it seemed a common? problem when the cover is taken off, etc. , and left it with him. However, the leak has got worse.
I was already booked in for mot, which has failed, with oil leak and burning oil emmissions! Attach details. I will be ringing the garage up tomorrow to try and finally get this sorted if i can ..but in the meantime, if you can offer any advice. I have recently used diesel injector fluid, put in v power (thanks to the forum ). Done around 10k miles.
I am hoping I can get the emmissions within range, as spent quite a bit of money already.

The failure notice.
Oil leaking excessively from engine 8.4.1(a) I
Exhaust emmissions exceed level of metered smoke for tyrbo charged engine 8.2.2.2 b

The mot garage said he didn't know u it was anything to do with the exhaust itself. It was then I told him about the rocker cover. Whatever, doesn't seem good.

 

[Robin_Cox]

If the rocker cover has come off and loom replaced it is a no-brainer to get the injectors refurbished - are they fixed in such a way that they can't be removed in your case? Getting cleaned / serviced / balanced injectors made my project car run so much better a few years ago now, and the fuel economy improved signicantly.

 

[Sunflower]

Thanks @

Robin_Cox. I understand what you say, yes it does make sense but for various reasons sadly was not in a position to do this. I wish now I had left it alone. I didn't realise the problems it would cause taking the cover off and I have to trust the garage to do whatever.​

I'm hoping someone can offer advice on how to rectify my current issues.. thanks

 

[Robin_Cox]

The issue with the oil leak is unlikely to be rectified without getting and fitting a new rocker cover complete with the compatible seal. I got mine from skodaparts online ; unless the old rocker cover was perfectly straight to begin with and unscrewed in precisely the right order (there are around 12 or more bolts holding it down that need to be both tightened to the correct torque and in the correct order while fitting - but also unscrewed in the correct order when removing) otherwise the rocker cover warps easily and won't seal properly). Secondly there are two types of rubber seal gasket - early version and late version. Each is only compatible with the cognate version of the rocker cover, the later lid is the only one that is available commercially, but the earlier seal version is still available and if used with a late lid or vice versa, again will not seal. Buying a new one from skodaparts it comes with the correct type of seal.

Finally, the mechanic needs to completely clean the surface where the gasket is going to sit of any previous sealant, and follow the instructions on how to tighten the bolts up both sequence and torque exactly, otherwise it will be ruined in doing so before it's even had a chance to resolve the leak.

So - the injectors need to be serviced, and the rocker cover will need to be replaced anyway.

Valve Cover 1.4TDI Škoda 045103469G

Valve Cover 1.4TDI Škoda, Cylinder head cover, suitable for vehicles with 1.4TDI 51kW/55kW/59kW (AMF, BNM, BNV) engines., Škoda Fabia, Škoda Fabia 2, Škoda Roomster

www.skoda-parts.com

I got my injectors serviced at Darwen diesels - for the three it was under £100 with return shipping and it made a huge difference.

 

[Howey]

Can you see viable black smoke when the engine is revved whilst stationary?
Have you seen black smoke whilst driving?
Has it been checked for boost leaks?
Has the coolant temperature sensor ever been replaced or checked on live data for correct reading?

 

[Howey]

Can you see viable black smoke when the engine is revved whilst stationary?
Have you seen black smoke whilst driving?
Has it been checked for boost leaks?
Has the coolant temperature sensor ever been replaced or checked on live data for correct reading?

 

[dj_efk]

I wonder if the smoke is EGR system related

 

[Sunflower]

The issue with the oil leak is unlikely to be rectified without getting and fitting a new rocker cover complete with the compatible seal. I got mine from skodaparts online ; unless the old rocker cover was perfectly straight to begin with and unscrewed in precisely the right order (there are around 12 or more bolts holding it down that need to be both tightened to the correct torque and in the correct order while fitting - but also unscrewed in the correct order when removing) otherwise the rocker cover warps easily and won't seal properly). Secondly there are two types of rubber seal gasket - early version and late version. Each is only compatible with the cognate version of the rocker cover, the later lid is the only one that is available commercially, but the earlier seal version is still available and if used with a late lid or vice versa, again will not seal. Buying a new one from skodaparts it comes with the correct type of seal.

Finally, the mechanic needs to completely clean the surface where the gasket is going to sit of any previous sealant, and follow the instructions on how to tighten the bolts up both sequence and torque exactly, otherwise it will be ruined in doing so before it's even had a chance to resolve the leak.

So - the injectors need to be serviced, and the rocker cover will need to be replaced anyway.

Valve Cover 1.4TDI Škoda 045103469G

Valve Cover 1.4TDI Škoda, Cylinder head cover, suitable for vehicles with 1.4TDI 51kW/55kW/59kW (AMF, BNM, BNV) engines., Škoda Fabia, Škoda Fabia 2, Škoda Roomster

www.skoda-parts.com

I got my injectors serviced at Darwen diesels - for the three it was under £100 with return shipping and it made a huge difference.

Thanks so much @Robin_Cox .I'm not sure how methodical the mechanic is. I will check tomorrow with him. He is experienced I don't thinkhe is overly familiar with a2's.. Does the skoda link you have put part come with the seal? It's quite expensive. I'm on a tight budget!
Attach the rocker cover gasket I bought, this ok?. Is this classed as the seal?!

 

[Sunflower]

Can you see viable black smoke when the engine is revved whilst stationary?
Have you seen black smoke whilst driving?
Has it been checked for boost leaks?
Has the coolant temperature sensor ever been replaced or checked on live data for correct reading?

Thanks @Howey for your reply.

No, no black smoke. Burning of oil smell.
Boost leaks?.Coolant temp. can any garage do this ? Will ask about this also tomorrow or when I can take it in. It is difficult as limited knowledge and have to rely on garages to sort it .

 

[Robin_Cox]

Thanks so much @Robin_Cox .I'm not sure how methodical the mechanic is. I will check tomorrow with him. He is experienced I don't thinkhe is overly familiar with a2's.. Does the skoda link you have put part come with the seal? It's quite expensive. I'm on a tight budget!
Attach the rocker cover gasket I bought, this ok?. Is this classed as the seal?!

the rocker cover on skoda-parts comes with a gasket specifically for that part. No guarantee the one you have will be right.

The sequence of bolt loosening / tightening and other steps in the process is defined in the workshop manual. If he's not following the workshop manual sequence and torque settings then all bets are off.

Coolant temp sensor replacement is easy (relatively) - I've done it 3 times as well as thermostat replacements on the tdi. I should stress that I did not do the rocker cover swaps - I obtained the parts but left that to my mechanic who did follow VW group official instructions (as he was also installing and setting the refurbed injectors, new loom and new cover as part of the same piece of refurb job).

 

[Howey]

Coolant temp not reading correctly will cause the vehicle to overfuel but also can cause poor starting so really this is a long shot as the cause. Most diagnostics equipment can easily check this and it's a very simply thing to check for all tdi owners every so often regardless of known issues!

Does the engine burn oil?
For an mot fail for oil leaking it needs to be pooling, something like a beer mat size within 5 mins of running, is the oil leak this bad?
How hard was the engine revved and do you drive spiritedly, might just need a good "Italian tune" or a litre of petrol adding to a full tank of diesel is an old trick if your brave enough. How many times did they attempt to get it thru the emissions test?

The "exhaust" cannot produce soot, however a build up of soot from short journeys may be all that's wrong.

 

[Little Dog]

Thanks so much @Robin_Cox .I'm not sure how methodical the mechanic is. I will check tomorrow with him. He is experienced I don't thinkhe is overly familiar with a2's.. Does the skoda link you have put part come with the seal? It's quite expensive. I'm on a tight budget!
Attach the rocker cover gasket I bought, this ok?. Is this classed as the seal?!

I think you have had the wrong gasket fitted. Probably an early cover with a revised gasket. Oil floods out,

Did you intend to attach a picture of, or link to, your gasket?

Edit, where is the old gasket that didn't leak? Fitting that gasket correctly is your cheapest fix for the oil leak.

 

[Sunflower]

I wonder if the smoke is EGR system related

the rocker cover on skoda-parts comes with a gasket specifically for that part. No guarantee the one you have will be right.

The sequence of bolt loosening / tightening and other steps in the process is defined in the workshop manual. If he's not following the workshop manual sequence and torque settings then all bets are off.

Coolant temp sensor replacement is easy (relatively) - I've done it 3 times as well as thermostat replacements on the tdi. I should stress that I did not do the rocker cover swaps - I obtained the parts but left that to my mechanic who did follow VW group official instructions (as he was also installing and setting the refurbed injectors, new loom and new cover as part of the same piece of refurb job).

Thanks again @Robin_Cox . I will pass on all your feedback. I can't get in at the garage until next week!.
Do you please have a link for the coolant temperature sensor replacement, if needed?

 

[Sunflower]

I think you have had the wrong gasket fitted. Probably an early cover with a revised gasket. Oil floods out,

Did you intend to attach a picture of, or link to, your gasket?

Edit, where is the old gasket that didn't leak? Fitting that gasket correctly is your cheapest fix for the oil leak.

Thanks @Little Dog . I think you are right. I read an old thread last night about the gasket style changed at some point. This is what I bought. Is it the wrong one and if so can you direct me to the right one?. As I can't get in at the garage until next week, I have some time to get another one ! I have checked with the garage, no they don't have my old one .

This is whst I bought attach pic.
It said it fits my car!

 

[Sunflower]

Coolant temp not reading correctly will cause the vehicle to overfuel but also can cause poor starting so really this is a long shot as the cause. Most diagnostics equipment can easily check this and it's a very simply thing to check for all tdi owners every so often regardless of known issues!

Does the engine burn oil?
For an mot fail for oil leaking it needs to be pooling, something like a beer mat size within 5 mins of running, is the oil leak this bad?
How hard was the engine revved and do you drive spiritedly, might just need a good "Italian tune" or a litre of petrol adding to a full tank of diesel is an old trick if your brave enough. How many times did they attempt to get it thru the emissions test?

The "exhaust" cannot produce soot, however a build up of soot from short journeys may be all that's wrong.

Thanks @Howey and @dj_efk.
The car always starts OK,, since changed tge battery last year and always seems much better when use v power now. I don't always use it.
Depending how far i have been in the car, the leak varies when parked up, but yes probably beer mat size and and the mot guy thought leaking too much.

I had a good run in the car before taking to the garage, but I did stopoff for an hour in-between, so perhaps stopping didn't help.,The mot guy probably revved about 10 times.
I was almost on red when took to garage. I couldn't see any smoke, but then I wasn't revving up like the mot guy.

Must remember to keep running whilst waiting for retest. Will any garage check emmissions prior to ne taking it for retest ?

I have never ever heard of putting petrol in with the diesel. Have you done this?. I may have to try anything next week to get it through the emmissions).
The mot guy put down the exhaust, he did say he doesn't know if it is the exhaust though. I told him about the rocker cover issue and as I had read a few posts on here it seemed a common problem. Plus if I have bought the wrong design gasket..I have made it worse..arggh.

 

[bix]

I had higher numbers on failed MOT due high emisions than you on my 1
4 tdi. MOT tester said good luck sorting this out. I got high recommendations from local diesel specialists to get FORTE DIESEL EMISION REDUCER. So I got the bottle from Amazon for 18£ run the tank bone dry then on the day of MOT filled my bone empty tank first with the bottle of the Forte emisons reducer then topped it up with SHELL V POWER but only barely half the tank not to dilute the solution. It was 8am my mot was at 11am so I run the engine for 2.5 hrs up and down on motorway keep the rpm on 2.5
3k all the time. After the motorway run straight to the mot for emsisons retest. It fly trough without any issues and MOT tester was very keen to know how did I manage to drop the emisions from basicaly top of the range in high 5s to 0.5 average. .

Give it to try it worked for me like a dream and I have leaky engine as well but not from the rocker cover.

 

[Howey]

Confused, if you can't see any smoke when you rev the engine whilst stationary I am mighty surprised it's failed on emissions especially with the 3. 0 default setting!

Yes I have put a bit of petrol in my diesel although it was a 98 passat, I am currently adding mineral two stroke oil to my fuel too

If the vehicle is presented anywhere else for mot it will have to have a full mot carried out, sure you could ask any testing station to carry out a stand alone emissions test for a modest fee!

 

[Little Dog]

Thanks @Little Dog . I think you are right. I read an old thread last night about the gasket style changed at some point. This is what I bought. Is it the wrong one and if so can you direct me to the right one?. As I can't get in at the garage until next week, I have some time to get another one ! I have checked with the garage, no they don't have my old one .

This is whst I bought attach pic.
It said it fits my car!

I believe I have one of those in the attic, it didn't fit my A2 though Fibi Pats Finder said it would. I had to buy the expensive new cover option as advised by @Robin_Cox . At the time the earlier gasket was NLA from Audi so I don't know where you will get one now other than used on eBay.

You probably need a good mechanic, if I'm right and you have the wrong gasket, it will have been blindingly obviously wrong and he should not have fit it. Where are you in North Yorkshire? Send a PM, I may be able to help.

 

[Sunflower]

I had higher numbers on failed MOT due high emisions than you on my 1
4 tdi. MOT tester said good luck sorting this out. I got high recommendations from local diesel specialists to get FORTE DIESEL EMISION REDUCER. So I got the bottle from Amazon for 18£ run the tank bone dry then on the day of MOT filled my bone empty tank first with the bottle of the Forte emisons reducer then topped it up with SHELL V POWER but only barely half the tank not to dilute the solution. It was 8am my mot was at 11am so I run the engine for 2.5 hrs up and down on motorway keep the rpm on 2.5
3k all the time. After the motorway run straight to the mot for emsisons retest. It fly trough without any issues and MOT tester was very keen to know how did I manage to drop the emisions from basicaly top of the range in high 5s to 0.5 average. .

Give it to try it worked for me like a dream and I have leaky engine as well but not from the rocker cover.

@bix thanks for your advice. Yesterday I put in a can of purge. A bit late but as I was on red, done about 30 miles decided to put some in, not sure if should have run it longer so less diesel in, perhaps too diluted? will definitely try the forte thanks for your tips..I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Sunflower]

Confused, if you can't see any smoke when you rev the engine whilst stationary I am mighty surprised it's failed on emissions especially with the 3. 0 default setting!

Yes I have put a bit of petrol in my diesel although it was a 98 passat, I am currently adding mineral two stroke oil to my fuel too

If the vehicle is presented anywhere else for mot it will have to have a full mot carried out, sure you could ask any testing station to carry out a stand alone emissions test for a modest fee!

@Howey
No I couldn't see any smoke myself, but I wasn't revving it up like the mot garage.i could smell burning at times though. you sound like you know what you are doing re the petrol, not sure if I'm brave enough at the moment. What does adding the mineral two stroke oil do to the diesel?
I will try get a one off test before putting in for retest if I can, if not just hope I ho
I can get the engine clean of the oil mess and hope for the best!