Failed emissions Help!

TurboFreak

NOBAMA
Jan 22, 2006
1,374
1
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East Coast
SO I went today to get emissions tested. In Maryland all cars before 1996 have to get a dynometer test. Well I failed misserably. I have a 3" exhaust and stock cat and I put the stock downpipe back on. What could be the reason I failed? Maybe I need to get it tuned?


Heres teh numbers if they help

Hydrocarbons
State standard - 1.4 gpm
My Results - 6.3 gpm
Carbon monoxide
State standard - 30 gpm
My results - 165.5 gpm
 

figgie

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
5,224
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Twin Cities, Minnesot-ah
holy crap

running rich as hell would be my guess

don't they check Nitrogren Oxides?

also did you make sure to warm the cats up reaaaallll good before getting it tested (meaning 60 mph at least)?
 

derK

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
146
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CANADA
holy hell!!

i just did mine....BIC DDP, N/A cat, tanabe cat-back, no charcoal canister, FMIC, hardpipes, blitz DD BOV and i flew through the test. Only thing i was a bit high on was HC PPM which is unburnt fuel.

Change your plugs, put in good gas, change your oil and make sure to run your car HOT HOT HOT!! before bringing it into the shop. You really have to heat up the cat to get good results.
 

TurboFreak

NOBAMA
Jan 22, 2006
1,374
1
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East Coast
They do check Nitrogen. The results : standard - 2.5 gpm
My results - .36 gpm


Mods done to the car include Turbo xs boost controller, Greddy BOV, K&N Inake, Rebuilt motor bored .20, 3" cat-back, (BIC DDP but I put the stock DP on for inspection and emissions), stock cat.


Well I have new plugs sittin in my garage so I might as well change them out. I did try to warm it up the engine before testing it. I drove about 15 minutes beforehand but I'm not sure that I went that fast(like 60 mph).

I only get one more chance before I have to pay again. What do you guys suggest I do before going back in?
 

JustAnotherVictim

Supramania Contributor
Have you used the cat before? Check and see if you have any lingering codes. How long has it been since you changed the O2 sensor? Afm working properly, do you have bigger injectors??

When you warm up your car drive it around for a long time. I think I was rolling around for at least an hour highway driving, boosting hard to get the cat hot. I replaced everything I had before I got tested and I came out ok, I was burning oil at the time also which probably kept certain numbers high but if I can pass in California like that you should be ok in Maryland.
How's your EGR?
 

TurboFreak

NOBAMA
Jan 22, 2006
1,374
1
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East Coast
I have never removed the cat but i did just put the stock dp on after takin my BIC DDP off to pass inspection.

Any lingering codes? what does that mean? My check engine light isn't on.

I have onoly had the car for about 2 months so i have never replaced the O2 sensor. I dont have bigger injectors. How do you check to see if the AFM is working properly? What is EGR? exhaust gas ratio? I ahve no clue.
 

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
9,439
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Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
Your engine is running rich, that's why the NOx is low and the CO high. HC is another issue altogether and can be associated with other than a rich mixture. It would've been better had you posted CO2 and O2 results but it's pretty clear you have a rich mixture.

Bottom line: The car is broken. The "tricks" mentioned (heating up the cat, highway driving etc), will not help. You have other problems that need actual repair. Since you "have no clue" you can either throw parts at it and hope for the best or take it to an emissions specialst and have it properly diagnosed. Btw, don't be surprised if when the high CO is fixed the NOx comes up to bite you.
 

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
9,439
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Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
89supturbo said:
arent there any shops that you can go to that wont get all pissy about ur hydrocarbons and all that hippy stuff

Hippy stuff? Lol, his car is dumping out a large amount of a lethal colorless, oderless, tasteless gas into the air. Try running a hose from the exhaust pipe into your car while it's running and see how "hippy" it feels. Not to mention he's burning more of that $3+/gallon gas than he should be. His cat is probably trashed by now too.

Maryland uses the IM-240 test. As with CA's ASM loaded mode test the results can't be altered by the test operator. Nor can he prevent them from being sent to the DMV. It's all done automatically just to prevent the kind of corruption you're suggesting.

TF: The engine isn't running right so yes, you're probably going to need parts. Worst case is it could need rebuilding. Tuning on a dyno isn't done for low emisisons. Plus dyno tuning usually involves an A/F ratio sensor (wideband O2) that can't determine emission levels. It only measures oxygen and while Lambda is helpful to know it's a very poor substitute for a non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer.

Take it to a shop that does emissions work. They'll have the gas analyzer needed to track down the problem. Or do the work yourself and have it "pre-tested" at any emissions test station before running the IM-240 again. It's either that or you roll the dice. That can not only be stressful but disappointing and expensive.

I've said it before: I don't like emissions testing any more than the next guy but it's here to stay. Those of you who aren't subject to it now will be at some point. Better learn how to deal it now.
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
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Valley of the Sun
Suggest you listen to JJ...my '87 Nissan Pathfinder failed the AZ dyno test. Did a search here and concluded it must be my CAT or O2 sensor...or both. JJ made most of the posts I relied on. Spent about $200 total for both parts and it knocked my emmissions down to less than 25% of the AZ standard for the vehicle...passed with flying colors. Search, read, and understand...you'll spend a lot less $$$ that way ;)
 

TurboFreak

NOBAMA
Jan 22, 2006
1,374
1
0
East Coast
Man! I dont wanna take it to a shop I just paid $1500 at a shop to get my BHG fixed! How much do you think it would cost to diagnose it?
 
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jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
9,439
0
0
Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
How much will it cost to throw parts at it and still fail? You want to fly blind? OK...change your plugs and wires, replace the cat and O2 sensor, check to make sure the EFI system is in closed loop (with a midpoint O2 sensor voltage of 450 millivolts), the EVAP and EGR systems are working, change the oil, set timing, and drive it on the highway for 15 minutes just before you go in.

You don't want to look at smog testing as an epic struggle. The bottom line is the engine will easily pass if it's in good condition and the emission control systems are working. Best to do as jdub suggests and educate yourself about this stuff. That way you won't be needlessly replacing things. Start with the TSRM and go from there. None of this guarantees you'll pass though. It'll always be a crap shoot unless you have access to a gas analyzer when doing the repairs.

Or apply for the Maryland waiver after spending $450. The problem with that is it'll still be running poorly and screwing up your engine. There are consequences to a rich mixture other than pollution you know. Engine deposits, oil contamination, posioning of the cat, etc. This is why, once it's fixed, you need to stay on top of things.
 

TurboFreak

NOBAMA
Jan 22, 2006
1,374
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East Coast
JJ - Thank you for your help! I am going to have a shop analyze the gas. I will be searching and researching about this topic as you have suggested.

Nick- yes