Expert advices

NEW ROADWORTHINESS TEST: HOW CAN YOU REDUCE A DIESEL ENGINE’S POLLUTION ?

Are you about to put your car in for a roadworthiness test and are you dreading the smoke opacity test? Would you like to know whether you can reduce your engine’s pollution, and if so, how? Our experts give you some tips on how you can prevent your diesel engine from fouling and make it easier for it to pass the roadworthiness test !

Roadworthiness test 2019: a new, stricter reform for diesel engines

As you certainly know, the roadworthiness test new reform came into effect on 1st July 2019 and diesel engines are now subjected to a reinforced test.

This new measure aims to drastically reduce polluting emissions from diesel engine vehicles by targeting vehicles with clogged engines and worn components.

The DPF (diesel particulate filter) is particularly targeted by the government, which wants to fight against its illegal removal. More sensitive opacimeters will thus be able to identify the most polluting vehicles and those that have been tampered with by removing their DPF.

Given these new standards and restrictions, it is important to understand the risks and causes of a clogged engine and above the ways of correcting this.

What are the risks of a dirty engine?

A dirty engine often results in the following symptoms :

>an increase in consumption,

> a drop in performance and power,

> an increase in polluting emissions with the appearance of variable amount of black smoke,

> more difficult starting and a risk of breakdown due to seized injectors or clogged valves, particulate filter or EGR valve.

> le témoin de dépollution qui s’allume même partiellement au tableau de bord.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, the engine of your vehicle is probably clogged up and is likely to fail the roadworthiness test’s pollution control test.

Indeed, the majority of breakdowns on recent diesel engines are due to the fouling up of the components located in the combustion line. And when you know that the cost of replacing a single component comes to at least several hundred euros, or even several thousand euros, it is easy to understand the importance of limiting its main causes and thorough regular cleaning.

What are the main causes of engine fouling?

Fuels :

This is the primary cause of fouling. While all fuels, whether petrol or diesel, meet the applicable administrative standards, their quality is very uneven depending on the make and place of distribution. These differences in quality affect the proper running of engines and disrupt the original settings.

Water:

This is the worst enemy of engines. It is invisible and present in all fuels, and irrespective of the precautions taken, its appearance cannot be prevented.

Condensation water: it is the result of temperature and humidity variations. It accumulated in service station tanks, reservoirs, combustion chambers and car fuel systems.

Accidental water: can enter fuel tanks through filling hoses or venting devices when filling up in the rain.

Water in Diesel: Unlike petrol, which repels water, diesel absorbs and mixes intimately with water, which may adversely affect or even seriously damage the injection pump.

 

Urban driving and traffic jams :

In urban areas, cars are generally used for short journeys so engines rarely reach their ideal running temperature (90°C) and consequently only partially burn the air/fuel mixture. As this mixture is enriched on starting, incomplete combustion produces carbon residues, some of which are discharged through the exhaust system, while the remainder is deposited on the engine’s metal parts.

Pollution control regulations :

they prioritize pollution control over engine cleanliness. To control pollution, the legislator has required manufacturers to recycle oil vapours so that they can be burned in combustion chambers. This is great for the environment, but dramatic for engine cleanliness. This is because oil vapours are deposited as a film in various parts of the engine. If the air filter is not replaced regularly, the engine can become fouled after only 50,000 km

Our expert tips to limit fouling

Engine fouling usually occurs as a result of short daily trips at low speed with a cold engine. For this reason, we recommend that you drive on the motorway at a high speed of around about 130 km/hour, or about 3,000 revolutions per minute, for 15 minutes to burn off the carbon that builds up in the combustion system.You can also completely clean your combustion system regularly using a specific, appropriate engine additive to be injected into the fuel tank.

The regular use of additives to clean the entire fuel system helps to maintain the engine’s original performance and, as a result, limits exhaust emissions.

 

Related Posts

Laisser un commentaire