AFB Euro2 vs. AKN Euro3: Comparison & Reasons

Hi, I have a question. Both the AFB and AKN engines have 150 hp, and to my understanding, they both lack roller rocker arms, pre-injection, and use the same catalytic converter. Why does the AKN engine from 2001 meet Euro 3 standards, while my AFB engine from 1998 only meets Euro 2? Shouldn't they produce the same emissions, or am I wrong? Could it be due to the different production years? Is it possible to modify something to meet a different standard?

The engines will definitely not produce the same pollutants.

The assumption that just because three components could be the same, their emission classes must also be the same is very premature.

Certainly, the engine control units (ECUs) are different, and that alone can be enough to determine whether a vehicle meets the EURO3 emissions standard or not.

Since emission classes have nothing to do with technology, but are purely a matter of bureaucracy, I wouldn't even bother trying to get an AFB (Abgasfrei Befreiung - emission-free exemption) approved.
"You will probably always hear that an AFB never had EURO3, so it can never get it."

Greetings.
m;

Yes, you're probably right...

Well, some things are also tied to a specific date. It seems that vehicles that will partially meet Euro 5 standards are currently being sold with Euro 4 standards. As far as I know, Euro 5 won't be fully implemented until sometime towards the end of the year. And there won't be any conversions or changes to that later on.

OK.

However, I have another counterexample for that.

Our former Vectra B 2.0 16V with the X20XEV engine was also older than EURO3, so it was registered as EURO2. Later, Opel sent a letter stating that we could have it re-registered as EURO3 two months after purchasing it new.

Since there is a "successor" model with EURO3 emissions standards (the AKN), the AFB is probably not going to be subject to the same regulations.

Similar, but the opposite is true:
For my BMR (2.0 TDI 16V with DPF - which was never available without a DPF), I also received the €1.20 per 100ccm "DPF-free" surcharge, because the KBA (German Vehicle Registration Authority) didn't know that this engine ALWAYS has a DPF.


m;

The AKN and AFB engines have different injectors, so the hardware is already different. However, I'm not sure how you would get that registered, even if you replace the injectors and control unit.

Ah, I've learned something new, so it's possible to bypass certain features under certain circumstances. It's great that someone at Opel thought of that!

The emissions test report would still need to be obtained, and we need to find someone who can perform the test, including any necessary modifications.


P.S.: This could be a niche market. Converting older Euro2 diesel vehicles to Euro3 standards, at least those that are relatively easy to convert. And if you have an emissions test report, you can save time and money on subsequent conversions. ^^