(Simple) Tricks to helping the car pass smog?
 

My car goes to a Test Only center today. :mad:

I was thinking of driving the car on the highway for 30-45 minutes before the test to get everything nice and hot. :D It should clean everything out pretty well. Is my logic correct?

The car has fresh oil, and good gas... any other easy steps to help an "old" 911 pass CA smog?

The mixture has to be correct because they will test for NOX in CA. Leaning the car out too much (to reduce CO, HC) will raise NOX, so it's got to be dead on.

Making sure the cat is hot is your best bet. Idling the car will not keep it hot, so you have to try to get in right onto the dyno when you arrive.

I read this here that you can substitute a good fuel injector for a welded shut injector 'cause that should drop readings by 1/6. I'm not positive of the % drop.

I'm not sure what you are saying... but wouldn't that make tailpipe emissions richer if one isn't firing?

If it's in good tune and you haven't changed anything it should pass.
My SC has done 4 of these test's and passed them no problem. I'd didn't even get it real hot, just about 15 min of driving.

it'll be running on only 5 cyl. And the info was from one of the pros around here. That's all I know 'cause I've never had to do it.

Sorta makes sense - but I wonder if their diagnostics will catch the engine only running on 5?

In any case, my appointment is in three hours. I'll post my results here.

Kinda like going to the dentist :D

Using regular gas instead of premium is supposed to help.

Exactly! :(

Thanks, I saw that comment (from you) on another board on Pelican when I did a search before this post.

Unfortunately, it's bit late for that as I've got a full tank (and I'm not in the mood to drive for three hours to burn it off).

I wonder if changing to a hotter plug will reduce emissions ?

Nope....it acts like an extra air pump if the INJECTOR is disconnected, no fuel is being added to the mix, just air. It dilutes the exhaust.

Trust me......

On annother note...."I" would put it on analyzer FIRST to see how it reads....nothing worse than going to the smog appointment and getting failed or worse getting tagged as a gross polluter.

If yer bored and wanna come up to SB I have an analyzer....the big Behr one....

Interesting. :D

Thanks for the offer. Appointment in two hours... no time today.

Pre-test first. Tell the guy you wil pay for it so he will do it right. Put the lowest octane gas available in your car.
There are two ways to pick up an rpm signal during the smog. First is on the plug wire, second is if the smog machine is connected to the OBD2 connector which I think your car does not have. If the car is smogged with the OBD2 connector, there might be a problem due to the fact that the smog machine will access the computer to check for any abnormalities. If you pick up the rpm on the plug wire, the smog test technician will have to tell the smog machine computer it's not hooked to the OBD2, thus it will not access the computer. You want to have the the guy use the plug wire.
Good luck.

I haven't had to use this one for my 911 but I have used it extensively on my other older vehicles and it WORKS! Run your tank down as low as possible and then add dry gas (isopropyl alcohol), about 4-6 12 ounce containers should do it. Hopefully you don't run out of gas waiting in line or worse on the dyno. Also, remove the air cleaner. Do a full tune up and an oil change before the inspection. In NJ we have to use all the tricks.
Best regards,

New plugs and air filter.

Wow, a half gallon of alcohol to a few gallons of gas??? It would seem correct to add the alcohol but is that the correct amount? Seems way too much but I am no smog expert.....

You can use as little as 1 quart/2-3 gals gas which is the minimum I used. BTW don't drive around with this concoction in the car, use it only to get through inspection and then FILL up with premium. This mix is not good for the engine but will produce very low emissions.

Are you going to Moe's Test Only? If you do, tell him you know me (he knows me as the Posche and Saab guy). He has has been good to work with.