306 hdi MOT emissions failure

Hi everyone I need advice.

My car recently failed its MOT on exhaust emissions. This is apparently
because I don't thrash my car up and down the motorway enough. As I don't
want to fork out for a full service (especially as the last one was only
4000miles ago) I would like to explore the alternatives.

Would a simple air filter change and a bottle of "diesel magic" do the
trick?

Also, as an aside - my peugeot dealer quoted me £225 + VAT for a cam belt
change. Is this the norm, or a bloody con like I suspect?

Thanks in advance,

Jon.

 

If it's failed its emissions and you dont thrash it/use it for short
journeys, you could try giving it an "italian tune up". Warm it up gently
over the 1st 10mins or so then find a nice quiet piece of road and spend
some time driving at maximum revs or if that hurts your mechanical sympathy
glands, accelerating to the redline in 1st and 2nd, perhaps 3rd (=about
80mph) a few times.

I'm not sure of how much of a good idea this is if it is close to needing a
cambelt,

Maybe, but less fun than the above. (c: You dont say how old and what
mileage your 306 is.

Dunno, probably around normal for a dealer job, phone another few dealers
and local independants to see what they say.

Regards
Douglas

 

Hello,

When you know how an emission test is done, the "italian tune-up" you
mention can't be that harder !

 

I had a cam belt changed on a 306 Xld (M reg) at a local garage for
£110 last year.

Try phoning around.


cheers,
Len

 

Thankyou all for your advice.

I fitted a new air filter @ £6.99 and added a bottle of diesel magic @ £4.99
to my tank.

A couple of days of thrashing the car, and I'm now the proud owner of a full
MOT.

BTW my 306 hdi is the late 1999 model (on a V plate), and it has covered
52,000.

I'm still considering a cambelt, and might try my local Peuguet/Citroen
specialist for a quote.

Cheers

Jon.