London Low Emission Zone - Feasiblility Study

Hi,

My girlfriend has a Peugeot 106 1.1 petrol which runs fine most of the time. The problems start when the car has been left unused for a number of days (either on the drive or in the garage). The car normally starts OK but then coughs and splutters and a dashboard symbol that looks like a tap appears (just got back from a weeks holiday and it was a sod to start, it wouldn’t fire up). When driving the car, it has very little power almost like its driving on one cylinder. When near stalling point, the tap symbol flashes off and on but is static the rest of the time. After driving for a few miles, the problem goes away and the car runs fine but the static tap symbol remains on the dashboard for a few days then goes off.

Any ideas on what the problem could be? I have not had chance to get the Pug on a diagnostic machine to find out the fault code..

"looks like a tap". Hmmm could that be the low coolant warning? Or does it look like a dripping oil can? Low oil level?

Even without the "tap light"…I would change all 4 spark plugs right now. They could be fouled, black and not able to give a spark, until they get warmed up and the oil burns off them. Remove the #1 plug (nearest the UK passenger door) and check its condition.
Find out why they are fouled. Too rich a fuel /air mixture.??
Is your air filter so dirty that air cannot pass? Sunlight cannot pass? A car needs AIR to burn fuel. (’cough, sputter, no power, one cylinder’)
So check air filter and plugs, and get back to me….Just remove the air filter completely before starting up; that’s a good test for replacement……good luck.

Here are some fault codes, but nothing to help you, I’m afraid:
http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=peugeot_106_306_406_605_abs_ecu_fault_codes

Any thoughts?

Go to your local auto parts and borrow their scan tool. It will direct you to your problem.

How much can I expect to pay to have the problem fixed?

you have 2 choices, take the auto in have the computer coded out for problems and re set, that will cost 75 to 125 dollars, or you can disconnect your battery for about 30 minutes, this will reset the computer.

An engineering question : "What has been the enviornmental impact of applying advanced electronic engine management systems to the emission of petrol engines?"

Could you please be as detailed as possible, and possibly list some websites I could get further information from.

Thanks in advance!

Electronic engine management has allowed the fuel mixture/spark to be controlled to create a cleaner combustion and maximizing the use of available fuel. The results of which are less hydrocarbons emitted from the exhaust (unburned fuel from rich mixture and incomplete combustion) and better fuel economy. Those in turn reduce the pollution caused by combustion (smog) and reduce our draw on fossil fuels as compared to carburated engines.

An engineering question : "What has been the enviornmental impact of applying advanced electronic engine management systems to the emission of petrol engines?"

Could you please be as detailed as possible, and possibly list some websites I could get further information from.

Thanks in advance!

Electronic engine management has allowed the fuel mixture/spark to be controlled to create a cleaner combustion and maximizing the use of available fuel. The results of which are less hydrocarbons emitted from the exhaust (unburned fuel from rich mixture and incomplete combustion) and better fuel economy. Those in turn reduce the pollution caused by combustion (smog) and reduce our draw on fossil fuels as compared to carburated engines.

Given, the Mars Rover is still running on solar panels, giving off 0 emissions, a technological marvel and is 36 million miles away. The primary form of transportation on earth is the century old combustion engine, spewing off emissions. Regardless as to whether the earth or humanity will succumb to the effects of our dirty habits, why do we allow this to happen?
Did you know that we get enough energy from the sun in about 2 hours to provide all of the worlds energy needs?
The point is, we have the technology, Mars Rover, Nuclear powered subs, Cern, but we cruise around in vehicles with combustion engines.

I brought up the same question at work, the rover has been going for a long time and I’m not sure but I don’t think there are any gas stations on mars!
People need to stop using gas and force a change, as long as the oil companies make billions per quarter they will continue to pay everyone off so they can continue to use gas.

Check out the movie, who killed the electric car. it’s an eye opening experience.

It can be any Chevrolet small block engine.

But, the compression has to be low enough to still be able to use pump gas.

What is the most hp that can be produced by a Chevy small block engine, and yet still be able to pass emissions tests?
Sorry, I didn’t explain the other "limitations" or parameters for the hypothetical engine.

I did indeed want the engine to be naturally aspirated- meaning, no Nitrous, no supercharging, and no forced induction of any sort.

Thank you for your responses!
Sorry, I didn’t explain the other "limitations" or parameters for the hypothetical engine.

I did indeed want the engine to be naturally aspirated- meaning, no Nitrous, no supercharging, and no forced induction of any sort.

Thank you for your responses!

well, is this motor naturally aspirated, or forced induction? is this including nitrous, or is this on a stock motor? i know of twin turbo Ls1’s (5.7L/350 aluminum block) that make horsepower in the 1200 range on pump gas. but your possibilities are endless with a fully built, stroker, forced induction, and nitroused motor.

GO TO AUTO ZONE THEY DO A FREE ENGINE ANALYSIS AND GIVE YOU A PRINT OUT AND SUPPLY PARTS LIST TO REPAIR IT ,ALSO ADD A BOTTLE OF RUBBING ALCOHOL TO GAS TANK WILL CLEAN OUT INJECTORS AND HELP CLEAN VALVES, USE A BOTTLE BOUT EVER 2OOO MILES ON 89 BRONCO RUNS GREAT

i have 79 el camino, replaced engine with 305 from caprice(80-8???) its been running for 3 yrs, but i cant pass emissions, to rich, the carberator that is on it now is computerized, my cars not, the mechanic jimmied it to run with no sensors connected. cant fix that i need to replace, looking into edelbrock(rebuilt) for about 189.00 from craigs, but what carb do i order that will fit, carb sits on an edelbrock intake manifold. pls help me i’ve been riding on 3 day permits(oops i messed up on a # of the vin) for 3 yrs.

The non computer ones go for around 200.00 rebuilt (Quadrajets) If you go edelbrock make sure it fits your style manifold and is smog legal of course.I’ve seen new one go for over 200.00 so you just may want to get a junkyard one and rebuild it. there is a juinkyard service here as well as parts stores to look up items http://painintheexhaust.blogspot.com

i bought a volkswagon at used car lot as is.. The problem is that after i bought it i thought maybe it was idling too high..took it to local volkswagon dealer. Found out that there are two codes in it one for bad cluster, the other for being out of line in engine causing the timing to be off. Which explains high idle. The v/w shop told me that the check engine light in this car was broke out. Which is very illegal and also that the car was inspected on 8/21/09 should have never passed emissions with the codes in it and that someone illgally put the sticker on. i bought the car on 08/31/09. They advised me to call state office of emission and report it. My question is, do i have the right to try and make the car dealer take the car back? Or make them fix everything on the car, no charge to me? Will the emissions office just go and fine them and i’m still stuck with this car as is? will they help me with any recovery? Just not sure if i should work with the crook who sold me the car and just threaten calling emission office and the better business bureau and possibly get something. Rather then maybe nothing if i call state office. Don’t know if they will help me?

Dealerships have a responsibility to make sure a car meets all legal requirements when they sell it to you.

Make them fix it or buy it back, or tell them you will report them to the state DMV and Dept of consumer protection, bbb, whatever exists where you live.