Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

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nickoliver95
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Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Hey, have recently joined to ask if anyone has any advice regarding the Cavalier I currently have which has been SORN for around 5 years now. It's a 1993 1.8 8V hatchback.

So here is the dilemma: This cavalier used to be used as a taxi for many years, until it was taken of and replaced in 2010. Since then, it has been sat in the drive. The problem that always caused it to fail the taxi MOT was high emissions. In it's running days, it had a new catalytic converter fitted each year as well as some other mods/replacements to lower the emissions.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to lower the emissions to today's standards?

Thanks for any help given.

Nick

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1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

Hello.

How strange, I've never seen that one around here, I've had 3 Cavaliers and been driving 8 years all in the local area!

Emissions wise, there isn't much to go wrong on the 8 valvers, I've had 2, they are as basic as engines get, have you tried giving her a good thorough service, take all the breather hoses off, EGR valve, give it all a good clean out, does the engine management light come on at all?

Could just need a good clean out if it's been SORN that long, if you're in Bournemouth, I might be able to have a look at it for you if that helps? Let me know.

Regards.

Andrei.
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Robsey
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Robsey »

I am sure Paul (PlanetC) once said that the injector becomes worn or sticks, causing over fuelling.

So maybe a good injector clean, or refurbished injector may help.
Not much chance of getting a new one, as the newest C18NZ is 20 years old.

It is only one centrally mounted injector so not too expensive to get done.

I know that the emissions went quite high on my C18NZ (same as you have) in it's latter years... but it had easily done over 200,000 miles by then.
I converted it to C20NE in 2011.
25 more ponies for no apparent change in mpg.
Smiles all round.
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James McGrath
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by James McGrath »

First thing you want to do is replace the O2 sensor.

If you had to replace the catalytic converter every year then that is a symptom of a wider problem.

As has be suggested above, it is probably over fuelling.
When it is over fueling you get unburnt petrol going through the exhaust, this will quickly destroy the Catalytic converter.

The most common cause of over fueling is a worn out O2 sensor.

I'd thoroughly recommend replacing that first especially if you can't remember doing it before.

For your 1.8 engine you will need Bosch part number LS50311
Here is one on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/F00HL00311-BO ... 234f7bb32a
colin1
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by colin1 »

Never seen one that colour before
Did you say ' a new catalytic converter every year'??? Outside of you somehow sourcing leaded fuel from somewhere (for whatever reason), how on earth did you achieve a strike rate like that?

Worn injector? Possibly, it's certainly one cause of overfuelling. Sticking injector? Unlikely, unless you are reporting a corresponding misfire as well. Possibly even a stall?

It's been suggested to change the lambda sensor which is a nice, cheap (potential) solution along with a new CTS.

If this car has been SORN for 5 years, I'd get it running regularly before I made any pronouncements over engine health, after an all-points major service.

Brand fuel, if you're not already, I only use Shell.
93K C20XE Cavalier SRi Hatchback Spectral Blue Metallic
94M X20XEV Cavalier SRi Hatchback Flame Red

96N C14NZ Corsa B 4-dr Flame Red'ish
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Yeah, pretty much a new one every year due to the emissions standards changing.

I shall check everything that is mentioned above as well as possibly getting a new O2 Sensor.

It has done around 206,000 miles if that helps anything.

Btw, what is the engine management light? And where abouts are you in Bournemouth?
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by ilovedmymantas »

nickoliver95 wrote:Yeah, pretty much a new one every year due to the emissions standards changing.

I shall check everything that is mentioned above as well as possibly getting a new O2 Sensor.

It has done around 206,000 miles if that helps anything.

Btw, what is the engine management light? And where abouts are you in Bournemouth?
Emission standards changing shouldn't matter. There is a set standard for your car in mot, relating to age and emissions at the time of manufacture.A new cat every year points to a problem.
The engine management light is the one on the dash that looks like an engine block with a lightning bolt inside it. Turn the ignition on before starting. If the eml light is off (iirc middle of the bottom left 3 ) then either the bulb has blown or it's been removed, this can mask faults.
Search the forum and do the paperclip test, that would be my starting point

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=630
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

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nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

I spoke to my dad about it and he believes that it never had a new O2 Sensor. He had a EGR Valve replaced. I'm going to go check the Engine management light now and will let you know if it shows up.

Thank you for the advice and help!
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

nickoliver95 wrote:Yeah, pretty much a new one every year due to the emissions standards changing.

I shall check everything that is mentioned above as well as possibly getting a new O2 Sensor.

It has done around 206,000 miles if that helps anything.

Btw, what is the engine management light? And where abouts are you in Bournemouth?
Branksome.

200000 miles isn't a massive amount for an ex-taxi vehicle, the 8 valvers can easily double that with regular maintenance. As said above, emissions changes don't affect older vehicles, if it passes one year, it should pass the next year. I've certainly never had a Cavalier fail on emissions on any MOT, and I'm not aware of any apparent changes on the data sheets. There's CO2 content, idle speed, lambda number, and something else, if the engine sensors are healthy all round, and it doesn't smoke, it should always pass.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Ok, the engine light doesn't appear to show up. It managed to go through the last taxi-MOT when the EGR Valve and Catalytic converter were replaced before my dad took it off the road 5 years ago.

Oh right, I'm in the North of Bournemouth, in the Kinson area.
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

When you say it doesn't show up, do you mean at all? It should illuminate when the ignition is switched on until the engine is started. If it doesn't show up at all, the bulb may have gone.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Ok, I'm not the brightest 20 year old here. I opened the bonnet to find the battery wasn't even connected (even though it isn't able to start with this battery) and the lights came up showing the EML...

Image

My parents tell me that the EML is supposed to show up and will still be able to start up?
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

Yes, absolutely, we were all new to Cavaliers at some point so you don't need to be ashamed, I learned how to work on cars through my first 8 valve Cavaliers, so you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

The light is there to show up if there is an electronic fault when driving, it should go off after the engine is started, and any faults can be shown up with a paper-clip test as mentioned in an earlier post. Simple enough to do, if you have a day free, I'll be happy to show you, I've only got a push bike at the moment though so distance dependent as Kinson is a few miles from me.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
colin1
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by colin1 »

nickoliver95 wrote:...when the EGR Valve...
OK
never owned one, but 93 8v - with an EGR valve?
93K C20XE Cavalier SRi Hatchback Spectral Blue Metallic
94M X20XEV Cavalier SRi Hatchback Flame Red

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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by colin1 »

Hmm still can't edit my own posts

Yep, EGR valve - just googled it
93K C20XE Cavalier SRi Hatchback Spectral Blue Metallic
94M X20XEV Cavalier SRi Hatchback Flame Red

96N C14NZ Corsa B 4-dr Flame Red'ish
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

C18NZ, which would probably be his engine as it's facelift. They have the EGR located on the inlet manifold. :thumb
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

I took a couple of pictures of the engine which I will attach to this post.
Image

Image

I will need to get a new battery for it so I can start it up to check the EML so will update when I manage to do that.
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

Looks fairly clean to me, your bog standard C18NZ. Other than what looks like an alarm wire from the battery terminal it's all original, even the heat induction hose going to the airbox from the manifold.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Cavalier342 wrote:Looks fairly clean to me, your bog standard C18NZ. Other than what looks like an alarm wire from the battery terminal it's all original, even the heat induction hose going to the airbox from the manifold.
The car doesn't actually have an alarm on it. I believe that wire probably has something to do with the meter that is still inside under the radio
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Cavalier342
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Cavalier342 »

Meter? You mean the taxi meter? If that's fitted, you've got one hell of a rare example!
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Cavalier342 wrote:Meter? You mean the taxi meter? If that's fitted, you've got one hell of a rare example!
The taxi meter:
Image

Along with the printer still on the dashboard:

Image

Followed by the old taxi sign:

Image


This one was actually the last Cavalier on as a taxi before it was taken off
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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Super89
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by Super89 »

So is a 'TAXI' mot stricter on emissions, Than a normal mot ? Thats maybe why it keeps failing then.. :scratch
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Super89 wrote:So is a 'TAXI' mot stricter on emissions, Than a normal mot ? Thats maybe why it keeps failing then.. :scratch
I was thinking that could possibly be something, but was told the regulations have changed since, so was since skeptical.

When I manage to get a working battery to check the EML and try out the paperclip trick - I shall update on what comes up :thumb
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
nickoliver95
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Re: Emission problems with 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier

Post by nickoliver95 »

Hey guys... a year on and not a lot has really happened. We cleaned all the interior been while trying to keep the rest of it clean but that is about it. Rust started building up in the wheel arches again and under the right side back door. The central locking is still playing up and we want to get it back up and running so we can start using it.

Is there anyone that lives locally (North Bournemouth-SE Dorset) that would be willing to help or know anyone that could help with anything to get it on the road?

Thanks
1993 1.8 8V Hatchback Cavalier - Yellow

1991 1.6 Eunos Roadster - White/Silver hardtop
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