Passed MOT but....

[legoless]

As above had MOT yesterday and all passed ok..just.
I have a 2003 2.0l HDI done 52000 miles
The exhaust emissions test results for the free acceleration smoke test, the Absortion mean over 6 runs was 2.95l/min and limit is 3.00l/min so it was very close to failing
I have a new maf fitted (4 months old)
Fuel filter + forte in filter and tank (4 months ago)
new air filter (3 weeks old)
New oil and filter ( as above)
Run on shell v power
No fault codes .. I checked week before MOT

I replaced the cambelt last year and all seemed fine after. I checked the timing a month after fitting and all the pins refitted ok cam pulley and flywheel. I checked crankshaft and the pulleys keyway was vertical so without taking off the cambox cover and checking it old school I think I`m on the money with it. If it was retarded a tooth would there be more smoke produced?
The car has felt slightly down on power since I got it but I put it down to coming from a 2.1TD to the HDI

So is there anything else I can check? I havent blanked the egr solenoid as I only do very short runs to from work at present but I guess the EGR could be the cause but there no fault codes as stated above.
As an aside I havent noticed any smoke myself but i havent booted it for quite a while with the snow and cold weather we`ve had.

[jasper5]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, my old HDi was exactly the same, but never had any trouble with it and it did 50mpg.

You would know instantly you started the engine if you had a tooth out, it makes a big difference.

[HimBigChief]

Apparently with diesels they need a good hard run every now and then to clean the exhuast out a bit, so if you drive it sensibly, or just short journeys then it's more than likely clogged up with carbon, etc. My missus old 306DTurbo failed on emmissions, so the garage owner took it for a quick 'Italian tune-up' as he called it and lo and behold when he came back it passed with flying colours. A few runs from about 2k to max revs in 3rd gear should sort it out.

[legoless]

Cheers Jasper and Chief
I was surprised tbh but it was MOT`d in a council run garage where they do all the council vehicles servicing and MOTs so kinda got me imaging all sorts on the drive home

[HimBigChief]

I did my work experience (14 years ago now ) as a mechanic at the council depot in Bradford. Got to work on all sorts of things, from dust bin wagons through to forklifts and the little Maestro and Escort vans they used back then. Ahh, the memories!

[bangernom1cs]

Hmmm,
Maestro vans eh! You'll know all about smoke then!
T