Please could somebody enlighten me on this issue as I am struggling to get a definate answer to the problem. Plus I do not want to fork out a small fortune for something that may be a quick fix.

I have a '99 Spacewagon 2.4GDI Petrol Engine, 50k miles, FSH etc
It has just failed an MOT and has a CO2 level of 9%, which is incredibly high. The cat is fine, so I assumed it was engine management related and something like an oxygen sensor had probably failed.

The garage has now had the car for a day and I have been told that this is due to the huge levels of carbon that have built up in the exhaust/engine/induction etc. The only fix for this is to strip down/clean up and get rid of all the deposits. 2 Days work, approx cost £1000!!. After this everything will be ok again. Mitsubishi have told me that this is a common issue with the 2.4GDI engines creating big soot/carbon deposits causing a buildup. This is apparantly due to the direct injection used in the engine.

I am taking it to another garage for a second opinion and will also be getting another report from a further 4 gas analyser on Friday.

If anybody has had any issues with excessive exhaust emissions, carbon build up etc it would be much appreciated if you could let me know.

Thanks in advance

Hi there-

Just wondering whether you had any luck with your emissions problem !

Just been faced with exactly the same situation - failed MOT needs de-coke !

My car is the same year as yours aswell. Hardly any miles on the clock...

cheers

Hi,

I had another garage look at the car and also got a 4gas analyser on it. I Had the whole car checked before I would commit to pretty much an engine rebuild and everything was working ok. Basically the co2 output was running at approx 9%, to pass an mot it has to be below 0.4 so the reading was sky high

Tried the usual stuff like 10k boost, redex etc. didnt even touch the sides. I also spoke to a mechanic I know who works at Volvo as they use the Mitsi 1.8GDI engine in there cars. He informed me that it has been a big problem and they have even had cars in for a full decoke at 6month old and less than 10k on the clock.

Apparantly it is because the engines use direct injection in the same manner as a diesel engine. Because of the low ron rating in UK fuel, it causes poor burning and soot deposits etc. This then builds up and you need a decoke.

I also know a sales Manager at Mitsubishi and he also confirmed this is common issue and they get round it by using a walnut blasting technique which means they do not need to remove the head.

The only problem is there labour rates are so high it was cheaper to get the head removed at an independent. Get it fully acid bathed, rebuilt etc and voila running ok again.

Using super unlead will help reduce the buildup, although I am now going to sell the car as I am very dissapointed with such a crap engine. I will prob never buy a Mitsubishi again because of this, keep my engines easier to maintain next time round.

As another note of interest, Volkswagen are also starting to experience similar issues with there petrol FSI engines.

had same problem, but turned out to be the lambda sensor and only cost £16. to replce myself :460:

Well, my '98 2.4 gdi has about 105,000 miles at the moment. At MOT around october 2005 it just scraped through on emissions and I was expecting to have to strip and clean the head because of this for the october 2006 MOT. I could make it worthwhile by changing the water pump, timing belts and tensioners at the same time, there was a little bit of smoke as well particularly when cold and it's only used on 5 mile or so trips once or twice a week with a 350 mile trip every three months or so.

Came to one of the big trips at the end of september 2006, changed oil, oil and air filter and poured in a can of wynns engine cleaner which I don't much like as my usual forte one wasn't available. Took it for MOT a couple of weeks later and amazingly the co2 level was 0.15 . Much cleaner than last year and the smoke has gone as well. Oh I'm using AC delco/vauxhall 10w 40 semi-synth oil, consequently I haven't yet done the timing belt and will wait for the summer, it looks quite easy too.

I had seen a heads up about the walnut shell blasting but apart from the dealer wouldn't have a clue where to go.

Hi, im a new member and have baught my 1st mitsubishi car which is 1999 Space Wagon 2.4 GLX GDI.

Im haveing the same problem, its not passing MOT due to Emmissions. I'v been to few garages, 1 of the local garage checked it and said its the cat, so i got that changed, but the problem is still there. then he sent me to another garage to get it checked on there computer diag~ system. They checked it and said its the Lambda sensor, so i got that replaced. After replacing it, they checked it again and it was ok for few mins and then shot back up. Now they are saying to me that there is another Lambda sensor which is located somewhere under the driver seat. is that true or is the garage just conning me?

I have the car booked with the dealers who wil be charging me £75 + vat ph. just to find out what the problem is.

can any1 help me please. and tell me if there are 2 sensors and where about they are located. I have spent too much money already.

engine no is 4G64.

if anyone is interested mitsubishi has also recommended to stop using semisynthetic 10/40w oil and go to a fully synthetic.it is the only suggestion they have offered to aid in reducing the carbon build up problem.the oil costs a fair bit more but if it works it is cheaper than having a carbon blast done

hi i'm new to the sit but i to had the same problems late last year ,put the 2.4 gdi in with a dealer for mot and passed but needed new brake pads had them fitted ,i also reported that it would stall when under hard accelleration ,they said they found a error code on the Lambda sensors but had managed to clear it ,it continued to happen ,back it went .next it needs 2 new Lambda sensor 1 upper & 1 downer,how much ? £450 for the front sensor & 350 for the rear plus fitting ,are they having a laugh, i phoned around about these and you can get a universal sensor for around £ 40 each ,mentiond this to the dealer hey presto they said they were looking at doing that ,they found some & fitted them for £135.00 all in ,a bargain i thought,the only problem is the fault is still there on hard accelleration ( i dont drive mad but sometimes you need that speed to get out of sticky situations )
back it went now im told it needs a new throttle body the old ones knakered with carbon " its a common fault with this engine " im told how much will that be " £ 950 new £450 reconditiond g/teed for 3 months ! so it seems it wasent the Lambda sensor after all ,and i wasted my cash .dont know what to do next as it seems its good money after bad ,any ideas let me know, kev

guys, i have had issues with smoking especially first in the morning, however it goes away as soon as the engine reaches normal temperature ie. gauge is half way.

tried ametech no hope, i have been told it is either a valve seal or too much carbon.
i would like to try full synthetic and a can of wynns before spending any time or money fixing it.

with regards to MOT, i have been told the same thing, lambda sensor, took it to a bosch anaylser specialist and couldnt hook it up to the ecu. as a last resort took it to the original guy who did the MOT and mainly does imports, passed it no probs. let me know if you neeed the address, nothing illiegal his answer was he couldn't find the car model on the mot system hence not his fault and passed it.

moved since and found a new garage in milton keynes who has the same view and great.

don't get me wrong only because the car pumps out a bit smoke when it starts doesn't necessarily mean it is belching out harmful smoke all the time. the smoke is whitish blue which is mainly unbuarnt fuel.

so let me know you think and i'll keep you posted.

thanks

my mitsy died rac recovered it to garage wher it spent 2 days being checked out then
it was put on a computer, the throttle bodywas full of soot and carbon and :beer: had burnt out mitsey quoted £1200 for new one + fitting
and secondhand ones are £300-£600 but was it worth fixing for that sort of money or do i scrap it
but i have found a place on the net that does remanufactured ones with a 2 yr no quibble no hassle unlimited miliage warranty for only £210 including vat +£8.50p P&P click on link below for all mitsey models parts cheap www.ecu-testing.com CHECK IT OUT
what have you got to lose ? no more mitsey ripoffs
if they dont have your part send them your old one and they do it for free
let everyone know if you can they are based in derbyshire they do all makes and models
telphone no's are : 0115 9190770

Mob: 07971468585

regards jim

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Hi Jim
Did the throttle body replacement work, as I am at the final stages now after an enginer rebuild , and a lambda sensor change. I will be sending the throttle body to ecu tomorrow if they are as good as you say ?

Cheers
Trev