I Failed! Grrrrr!

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 01:24 PM

I went in for my first emissions test today and I failed!

An SC motor with 2.6% CO failed!? WTF! Stock is 1.3-3.5%!

My HC level was 1576 PPM, and the std level is 700. (CO2 was at 10.5% if that means anything to you..I don't want to go stoichiometric those EPA punks!)

So do I need new/different plugs (NGKs now)? Or crank the CO level down more.

It was a "loaded idle" test. They drive my car on the roller at 30MPH for a short time then idle while sampling.

I don't have a cat ..well I have a hollowed out one. So tonight, I'm dialing back the CO a bit and put in new plugs.

If I don't pass after that, anyone want to loan me that cat from you SC which has been sitting in your garage since you got a test pipe or pre-muffler?

What am I missing guys????

kstylianos · 07-25-2003, 01:43 PM

Souk....2.6 is way higher than stock. If you have a gas tester, get that CO back to factory specs ~.5. Or lean it out enough where it runs like crap. A few folks here in VA were able to pass smog w/o a cat by REALLY leaning out the mix to the point where it barely runs. Don't drive it like this for any extended period of time....just get it there and back.

Lean it out down the block from the emissions station, drive it in for the test, pass, then grab a slurpee and in the 7-11 parking lot bump the A/F back up to where you like it

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 01:47 PM

That's about what I'll have to do Charlie. I actually was running more rich, and I did that..turned the idle screw back a block away. I thought I might get it to pass at that level.."SOUKTER Gas Analyzer"...1/4 turn back trick.

So, I'll give it some fresh plugs just for go measure.....I always keep a 3MM "L" allen wrench in my glove compartment.

Thanks.

kstylianos · 07-25-2003, 01:52 PM

BTW......~.5 is for the frequency valve controlled 80-83 SC's. I think your setting may be higher. Anyway, just really lean her out.

BTW: I have a functional CAT if you need.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

You could try dumping some of that snake oil that they sell at pep girl or Murray that will help you past the emission test.

I use to retard the timing on my Lotuses in order to past the test, but that was for just the idle test with no dyno roll.

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 01:55 PM

Yep, the 0.5 is for lambda equiped SC's, the 78-79US cars are 1.5-3.5 w/ air pump disabled.

It just sucks, 'cuse I had to wait in line for ever...but they were cool, 'cuse they knew I was going to hawk their arses, so they let me sit in the passenger seat and clear gave me the bay to myself.

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 01:56 PM

Ruf, it's just an idle test for '67-'80 cars, but they have to roll it for a period before they sample. News to me 'cuse it didn't state that on the EPA site.

philfran · 07-25-2003, 02:07 PM

If you can't get a cat from anyone any closer then me then I have one you can borrow for the test.

I live in NW Tenn. I could ship it or meet you halfway...Effingham?

Phil Francoeur

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 02:12 PM

Phil, thank you so much for the offer. I may have one locally that I can use, but the cat will be my last resort. I may have access to a 4-gas analyzer and run my own test whilest dialing in an acceptable setting.

Effingham ..hmmm that would be a nice blast down some old roads of college days

philfran · 07-25-2003, 02:15 PM

Not a problem and good luck!

Let me know if things don't work out and you need the cat.

Phil

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 02:38 PM

So here's the plan, going to back off the timing to 5 degrees (I have it set at the high total advance setting now), new plugs and 1.5% CO or less (just a hair pass too lean to idle well). I'll give the tester more specific instructions during the loading portion of the test...i.e. keep it in 1st or 2nd gear to keep the revs high.

john walker's workshop · 07-25-2003, 02:48 PM

until you find out what's causing that 1500 HC problem, you can turn down the CO all you want and the HC will still be high, and you'll flunk the test. air leaks, plug wires and connectors, advanced timing, rich mix, low compression in one or more holes, etc,etc, are a few of the causes.

MotoSook · 07-25-2003, 02:50 PM

John, I didn't want to hear that!

Dang! I thought it was funny to have acceptable CO and such high HC!

Thanks...I'll play around some.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
Ruf, it's just an idle test for '67-'80 cars, but they have to roll it for a period before they sample. News to me 'cuse it didn't state that on the EPA site.

Actually the testing is for 68 and younger cars. My brother has a 67 elan coupe that he never had to bring it in, and he'll never sell it because he can modify it all he want and never have to pass no stinking EPA.

scarebus · 07-25-2003, 08:03 PM

Souk,
Wasn't yours 27230? If its 76, isn't the exhaust measurements
higher than sc. On my 27230 I use the original thermal reactors to pass smog ck.

ckelly · 07-25-2003, 08:10 PM

Souk, if you can't find a cat soon enough, I've got mine here too. It's pretty quick shipping from NE to IL. If you need one and haven't lined one up, mine's available.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
Ruf, it's just an idle test for '67-'80 cars, but they have to roll it for a period before they sample. News to me 'cuse it didn't state that on the EPA site.

Hey Souk

You have a 76 why are they testing it on the dyno roll? Seems like one of the tester just wants to go for a ride in the Porsche or perhaps see what this baby can do on the dyno roll.

You gotta remember the tester there are paid minimum wages and it gets boring testing Toyotas and Hondas all day, so when they see and exotic car pull into the lane it "My turn to test the car".

They would love to put my Lotuses on the dyno roll but I tell them it's a 70 so no dyno roll for me.

MotoSook · 06:28 AM

Clay, thank you for the offer.

Bus and ruf, I was tested to 1976 standard (eventhough I have a 3.0..go 27230!). And I knew it was suppose to be an "idle test". Before I went into the bay, I asked the guy about it, and he said they have to do a "loaded idle test"..I was surprised by that! So for a "loaded idle test" they drive my car on the roller up to 30 MPH and stay there until the computer says "enough", then they let the car idle while the computer samples the exhaust.

The guy that did the testing was not one of the lower wages tech, he seemed to be the crew chief on duty.

I'm taking it to a different location next week (doing an oil system install this weekend), and I'll be more insistent that it be an "idle" only test. If not they'll have me on video going Souk Fu on their arses!

ruf,

The idle test is for a range of cars, from (ruf corrected) 68 through 80 or 81, as stated on the EPA webpage. 81+ I assume are dyno'ed as they have always done, then the OBD cars just get plugged in. I printed out the testing requirements....but it's in my briefcase in the car, which is on the lift...

.. just not gonna quoted.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

OBD cars are plugged in and dyno rolled,

Next time I buy another SUV I'm getting a full time AWD, they don't have dyno roll for AWD vehicles so they just get plugged in for OBD if they are younf enough and idle test.

Joe Isuzu is a part time 4 wheeler, but but he didn't take too kindly to the dyno rolled, the front wheel just wanted to pull the back wheels off the roller.

Wish I had my 4000 quattro again.

I'm getting antique plates for the Lotuses aned I think that will exempt me from the EPA test.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Hey Souk

Come on down into the City at 18th and Canal, they have a testing center there, open on Saturday, hardly any lines. That should get your engine nice and hot for the test.

We're just two minutes away from the testing center. They never put my 74 911 on the dyno roll when I owned it they only idle test the car.

Test standards are based on the year of registration for the car and not according to an engine swap.