This is topic Failed emissions test in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
So I went to smog my 89 vert today and it passed everything except the emissions part. What could it be? The car say for a year I drove for the passed 3 days. -
 
Posted by JZTRK (Member # 7641) on :
 
needs new cats
 
Posted by red5o (Member # 12651) on :
 
Yea more likely the cats
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
Fuck
 
Posted by Tom Renzo (Member # 13165) on :
 
!!!

[ 2013-10-07, 04:51 AM: Message edited by: Tom Renzo ]
 
Posted by Tom Renzo (Member # 13165) on :
 
What year is the car and what engine??

Ok so you failed HC that is easy. If you are allowed back down the timing a bit and do a temp test on the CATS. Your CO looks a bit high and that may be an indication your cats are a bit weak. Does your car have an AIR PUMP!! And does it work correctly? I am not certain does CA checks the timing i assume they do. If not back it down 8-10* and your HC will fall like a rock. Good luck!

[ 2013-10-07, 04:56 AM: Message edited by: Tom Renzo ]
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Renzo:
What year is the car and what engine??

Ok so you failed HC that is easy. If you are allowed back down the timing a bit and do a temp test on the CATS. Your CO looks a bit high and that may be an indication your cats are a bit weak. Does your car have an AIR PUMP!! And does it work correctly? I am not certain does CA checks the timing i assume they do. If not back it down 8-10* and your HC will fall like a rock. Good luck!
It's an 89 5.0 yes I have the pump and I'm sure I can mess with the timing. It was also sitting for a year could that be an issue? I was thinking I might have to put some miles on it before I take it back.
 
Posted by Duncan Motors (Member # 7045) on :
 
your running rich,cats aint gona fix that. fix the rich problem first.
 
Posted by Tom Renzo (Member # 13165) on :
 
Why would you say he is RICH his CO is well within specks. According to the print out he failed NOx and HC. Both of these conditions are very easy to fix.Now that i look at the numbers closer i think his cat is good. Reason being he is well bellow his co readings. He just might be lean because his HC are high and also NOx'

[ 2013-10-07, 03:19 PM: Message edited by: Tom Renzo ]
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Renzo:
Why would you say he is RICH his CO is well within specks. According to the print out he failed NOx and HC. Both of these conditions are very easy to fix.Now that i look at the numbers closer i think his cat is good. Reason being he is well bellow his co readings. He just might be lean because his HC are high and also NOx'
I showed my old teacher he said my egr could be clogged or not working at all
 
Posted by Duncan Motors (Member # 7045) on :
 
co2 air to fuel is at 10 percent.
 
Posted by Duncan Motors (Member # 7045) on :
 
nox is just barely not passing, if it was egr i think it would be way off, and it could be a cat close to going out, but if the fuel to air was more closer it would clean up.
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
You guys think driving it a lot would help that out?
 
Posted by 4IDFOX (Member # 9921) on :
 
How old is the oil, plugs, pcv and air filter ?
If not brand new change them.

[ 2013-10-07, 06:24 PM: Message edited by: 4IDFOX ]
 
Posted by Tom Renzo (Member # 13165) on :
 
High levels of CO2 in exhaust typically indicate greater engine efficiency; however, CO2 is considered a greenhouse gas that may cause global warming. High or low levels of carbon dioxide emissions are not grounds for a vehicle failing the Smog Check; the measurement is meant as a diagnostic tool for technicians. CO2 is measured in percent.

His NOx is HIGH so he is either lean causing high combustion temps or his EGR is not working properly and HC are double. So he needs to reduce his cylinder temps by making sure his EGR is working correctly and that the car is not over advanced or super lean causing a lean miss fire. Without seeing the car i am giving him some tips to get it through an ASM test. By the way what ASM is being used??
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 4IDFOX:
How old is the oil, plugs, pcv and air filter ?
If not brand new change them.
Already changed the oil plugs O2 sensors and just put in a new egr. Put some Lucas fuel system cleaner in as well it's supposed to lower the NOx so I'm gunna drive it more then take it in on Friday
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
I'd go drive it around for 30 minutes to an hour and then re smog.
 
Posted by SacStangDriver (Member # 8304) on :
 
new pcv valve. plugs. i've seen nox high from a bad fuel filter many times.
 
Posted by Ashley916 (Member # 8316) on :
 
I'm having the same problem also I took my 1988 5.0 in for a smog and failed the emissions part. My car was sitting for a couple of years also I took it in for a smog on 10/03/2013 and failed because my timing was not set to 10 btdc and on the NO part at 15mph my meas said 810. The HC at 15mph meas said 163 and at 25mph meas said 107.

So I got the timing set and got a diagnostic on it they said my 2 rear cats are weak, my egr passage is plugged so they need to take off the intake manifold to clean it and my egr vacuum solenoid is defective.

Over the weekend I got the oil changed, had someone clean the egr and ran 2 cans of seafoam through my intake. Even though it didn't help me pass smog today my numbers did drop down a decent amount. I got NO down to 677 at 15mph, the HC at 15mph down to 125 and at 25mph down to 83. So maybe i'll get that vacuum solenoid changed next and see what happens.
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
Failed again put new NGK plugs gapped to 54 new egr. I was thinking it's my cap and rotor and wires or because my mufflers suck or maybe even timing.
Reading from today -
Reading from 10/06/2013
-
 
Posted by Kb69fastback (Member # 13054) on :
 
Go get some seafoam. Find a vacuum line or booster line and slowly pour the seafoam in the line

It will idle rough. Shut it off. Let it sit for 3 minutes and started back up and let all the smoke come out. Then go drive on the freeway with premium chevron gas. You will pass smog.

[ 2013-10-13, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: Kb69fastback ]
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
I changed my cap and rotor and plug wires and fail for the 3rd time. Everything passed except the HC by 3 points [Frown]
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
HC at 25 failed by 3 but passed on Friday I didn't have my smog pump connected to the secondary air hose and HC passed by 5 but today with the hose reconnected it failed by 3
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kb69fastback:
Go get some seafoam. Find a vacuum line or booster line and slowly pour the seafoam in the line

It will idle rough. Shut it off. Let it sit for 3 minutes and started back up and let all the smoke come out. Then go drive on the freeway with premium chevron gas. You will pass smog.
After I put the seafoam in reconnect the vacuum line right?
 
Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on :
 
Well this is what I do when cars are close to passing like yours, I just leave the spout connector out during the test, it gets the cats nice and hot, if the cats are not working good enough or the mustang only has to two cats on it. But since a legal smog guy won't let you do that, you will have to get another spout connector and modify it so the timing won't advance, just grind out the two metal connectors inside, I do this trick a lot, been working for me for years

-
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
Never really had to deal with smog like this where's the spout connector located?
 
Posted by Tom Renzo (Member # 13165) on :
 
Depends on the year. Early models are near the dizzy and later ones on the pass side near the shock tower. removing the spout will work but i thought in CA they check for timing events. Not 100% on that.
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Renzo:
Depends on the year. Early models are near the dizzy and later ones on the pass side near the shock tower. removing the spout will work but i thought in CA they check for timing events. Not 100% on that.
Thanks guys I will do this when I take it back [patriot]
 
Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by FiveOhChuck:
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Renzo:
Depends on the year. Early models are near the dizzy and later ones on the pass side near the shock tower. removing the spout will work but i thought in CA they check for timing events. Not 100% on that.
Thanks guys I will do this when I take it back [patriot]
Nope just check base timing, also be careful you can't drive around with the modified spout, one it won't make power and the cats might get too hot and melt something
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by racsirx:
quote:
Originally posted by FiveOhChuck:
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Renzo:
Depends on the year. Early models are near the dizzy and later ones on the pass side near the shock tower. removing the spout will work but i thought in CA they check for timing events. Not 100% on that.
Thanks guys I will do this when I take it back [patriot]
Nope just check base timing, also be careful you can't drive around with the modified spout, one it won't make power and the cats might get too hot and melt something
I'll check it out in the morning thanks lee
 
Posted by TEXAS (Member # 11875) on :
 
Drive like 3000 miles and the re smog should fix all your problems and you'll gain like 15-20hp for driving experience alone, yeah.
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by TEXAS:
Drive like 3000 miles and the re smog should fix all your problems and you'll gain like 15-20hp for driving experience alone, yeah.
Lmao [burnout]
 
Posted by Kb69fastback (Member # 13054) on :
 
Seafoam. Yes hook the lines back
Up
 
Posted by NK2186 (Member # 12319) on :
 
Go pull a spout connector from a junkyard car and modify it like mentioned above.

The connector for your year car will be coming off the TFI harness to the distributor (the electrical connector on the front of the dist) Follow those wires back and you should see the small plug.

Grind the pins down and install it around the block from the smog station and then have at it.

stupid question but you did use up all of the old gas since it had been sitting right?
 
Posted by FiveOhChuck (Member # 12588) on :
 
It passed yesterday morning. All i did was clean my throttle body and seafoam [patriot]
 
Posted by 95gtdrop (Member # 7478) on :
 
glad to hear man.
 
Posted by bdog (Member # 13109) on :
 
Did you run seafoam through the vac lines?
 
Posted by Kb69fastback (Member # 13054) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by bdog:
Did you run seafoam through the vac lines?
Run it thru the brake booster line. Slowly pour half the bottle while the car is running. Very vet slow. It will want to cut off.

After half the bottle is gone, pour the rest in fast and kill the engine

Now let it sit for 15 minutes

Restart the car. It will take 2-4 turns. Don't give it gas

Let the car idle and blow out the carbon for 5-10 minutes. Then slowly drive it around. Then after 20 minutes or so. Drive normal. Get on freeway and blow the rest out

Make sure you do this in a well ventilated area. There will most likely be a ton of smoke. This stuff works good when done right
 
Posted by Kb69fastback (Member # 13054) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by FiveOhChuck:
It passed yesterday morning. All i did was clean my throttle body and seafoam [patriot]
I knew it would.
 




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