Failed Emissions

Taktiks · Taktiks's Garage

Pissed. '84 Cab that passed IL emissions last year, but this year no. And this is the last year I'll need to test it. Since it wasn't driven much, emissions guy said put it on the highway. So I did: Failed again. I thought it was because I had the oil changed and the goof put in too much oil. Went back and had 2 quarts drained. Still gurgled and smoked. Bad shop. Also DME relay blew up so I replaced it. So, I go back to emissions joint and the "scientist" tells me we don't diagnose, we just suggest where to go--get this-- to spend a minimum of $450 to receive a waiver in the event you fail again. By the way, this time, their facility was on the willys with an electrical outage. Oh, and lest I forget that in 2003 the tech there tried to force a gear while on the treadmill and bent an internal gate. 6 months of negotiating and the administator paid to have the gearbox fixed. They suck.
Anyway, car seems to be running rich (ran on for the first time ever--fuel?) so can you suggest what I might do to lower the CO, which is where I failed? Hydrocarbons passed.
Side note: I need new door panels. Any suggestions.

Porsche_monkey · 06-21-2007, 06:09 PM

Can you post your numbers? Do you still have a cat?

Why not lean out your mixture just to pass?

Taktiks · Taktiks's Garage

HC 60,Standard 220; CO 1.2, Standard 2.5 (fail). I put on stainless headers and heat exchangers and got a bolt on 4" cat. No problem in the past, I think. Many years ago I failed and my friend, a mechanic told me how to lean. Isn't it just the mixture screw on the front of the throttle body housing? Can't remember.

Thanks.

johncarlos2003 · 06-21-2007, 08:14 PM

Did you drive it for a good bit before as well- get it nice and well blasted up? can create an edge . . . good luck.

rgdalacrity · 06-24-2007, 07:22 AM

There is always a way to beat the system. I have an '87 Targa and will be moving from Virginia Beach, VA. to San Diego, CA. My car has no emissions equipment whatsoever. I have it registered in another state and will keep it that way. If you have a friend in another state that does not force people to get an emissions check, you can use his or her address to register it there. I think that would be a small price to pay for freedom. To make someone get an emissions check on a 20+ year old car is a tragedy.

stlrj · 06-24-2007, 09:44 AM

The real tragedy is the DIY tuner who has no idea where the mixture adjustmnet is made on his engine.

Try "3.2 CO adjustment" on the search window.

Kraftwerk · 06-24-2007, 11:56 AM

First year I owned my car it had been driven little by the previous owner. It failed emmissions. My mechanic changed my plugs and added some strange liquid to the gas tank I drove around and came back and it passed. You need a good mechanic to inspect the thing. Now I have my inspections after 2-3 days of spirited driving. Never been a problem since. Spirirted driving is good for emissions tests, good for your car and good for the environment. Also its good for you.