87 Carrera failed DEQ (Oregon Emissions) - suggestions?

[Gendaito]

I recently acquired a 87 Carrera with around 140k miles. The car seems to be in great shape, with good leakdown/compression numbers.

My father took it in today to get an emission check (DEQ here in Oregon) and it failed. The CO numbers were too high.

The numbers on the form read:
CO - 2.1141 and 2.3081
CO2 - 6.8 and 6.7
HC - 128 and 108

The car was probably sitting for about 2 months, and I have yet to change spark plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter, etc.

I was planning on a nice long drive, but what else can I do to pass this test?

[SilberUrS6]

If the NOx numbers are high as well, then your catalyst is shot.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Any time that the CO% is very high, you must consider an air flow meter replacement. We have seen the problem on a number of cars, so your first step is to find a good independent who has a proper CO machine and the knowledge to set the CO on the car. If the CO% will not lean out, chances are good that your AFM is faulty.

[john walker's workshop]

unplug one injector. instant air pump. deal with the real problem later.

[wwest]

Disconnect the battery, change the oil and oil/air filters, connect the battery, put in PREMIUM fuel, the more the better, run the car hard (stay in low gears) on the freeway, A/C going WOT, arrive at the test station with the engine HOT, shut it down as much, as often as you can waiting in line at DEQ so the engine doesn't cool.

[HarryD]

A good tune up, get the car hot, use a hi quality hi octane premium fuel (go to Chevron), go when the line is short to keep the motor hot.

If this does not work, there are several excellent shops in Portland who can help you as well. I like Kurt at Marque Motors but others can help you as well.

[Gendaito]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll be taking it to Kurt at Marque to sort out. I don't that the time to mess with it, so it's going to hit me in the wallet instead...

[rusnak]

Make sure that the brown wire under the driver's seat next to the DME control unit is connected. This will drop your numbers enough to pass if it's not. If your cat is bad, however, then your 911 may not pass no matter what.

[rsscotty]

Call the guys at Stuttgart Autotech in Lake Oswego, ask if they can test your cars emissions and also check if your oxygen sensor system it working.

[Three.Two]

I recommend the DEQ test station in Tualatin for shorter lines. I drove my 84' there straight from the dealer lot and miraculously passed with a cat bypass and nearly fouled plugs.

[Charles Freeborn]

Run it over to Marque motors and let Kurt have a look.
-C

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Run it over to Marque motors and let Kurt have a look.
-C

Yep,...thats the right place.

[mark4ton]

or get Special Interest plates now that your car is over 25 years old. you wont ever have to worry about deq

[HarryD]

Hope you get it sorted out.

Are you aware of our monthly get togther at Pyramid? http://forums.pelicanparts.com/pacific-northwest-us-wa-id-ut-hi-ak/500446-oregon-pdx-beers-burgers-second-thursday-every-month.html

All you need to do is show up and have fun.

[Doug&Julie]

Please post your "fix". As a future Oregonian, I'm very curious to how this turns out.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Make sure that the brown wire under the driver's seat next to the DME control unit is connected. This will drop your numbers enough to pass if it's not. If your cat is bad, however, then your 911 may not pass no matter what.

Brown wire reduces the NOX emissions so won't do anything for what he is testing for.

[timmy2]

Depends where you are going to live, no DEQ in Salem...

Please post your "fix". As a future Oregonian, I'm very curious to how this turns out.

[Gendaito]

Originally Posted by mark4ton

or get Special Interest plates now that your car is over 25 years old. you wont ever have to worry about deq

Doesn't the special interest plate restrict the usage of the car? Meaning, I can't drive the car much at all with those? Only "exhibitions, parades, club activities, or similar activities" is what the DMV site says...

Ah, the joys of old Porsche ownership...

[rusnak]

I'm getting ready for smog in California, not Oregon. I will change the plugs but probably not anything else - not many miles on the car in the past few years. Then I'll hook up the fuel pressure gauge, and the LM-1 fuel air gauge. With the O2 sensor disconnected, I'll go for a slightly rich mixture. With the O2 sensor connected and engine warm, I open the oil cap to watch the mixture go "lean stop". It spikes lean and then in a second or so go back to .98 to 1.02 lambda. Same thing when I disconnect the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line. It goes "rich stop". This verifies the health of the O2 sensor. With the cat bolted on, it will pass.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Depends where you are going to live, no DEQ in Salem...

..alas, greater PDX area..