Emissions trouble in MO

[JP_in_STL]

I just bought my first 'Teener, a 74 1.8L that was converted to dual 34ICTs, an 050 dizzy, SS Exchangers, and a Bursch Exhaust by the PO. I know I'm still running the stock Cam as the reciepts don't show it in the conversion.

I've not done a full tune up yet, I've just driven it a bit and been messing with the electricals to get it passed the safety inspection. I took it to get the Emissions Certificate today and they rejected it because of "Sample Dilution." They couldn't get enough bad stuff out of the pipe so they won't test it.
http://www.gatewaycleanair.com/failveh/sample.htm

The car seems to be running really clean. I took it on a 2hr highway trip and she got a little warm, the far side of the M on the Temp guage, but no pinging on hills. I was doing 70-80 most of the time. I'm getting better than 25mpg, but it's hard to tell with a failed odometer. It has decent power, not as much as I expected, but still adequate. I don't seem to have any exhaust leaks and other than idling a bit slow she runs pretty smooth.

I know most of you are in So Cal, but is anyone in the Mid-West who could give me some advice. I can pay repair costs of $75 and then be eligible for a waiver if it fails the reading, but I have to fail the test first. Right now I'm in bureaucratic limbo land since I was "rejected" . . . help please . . . .

John Pinnell
'73 VW Thing
'74 Porsche 914
'96 Dodge Dakota

[paulhagedorn]

With a VW thing, I am assuming you know how to adjust the carbs. Try raising the idle a little bit. If it isn't at a proper idle, then I would say it is possible for not enough gases to come out. What is your idle running at...probably can't tell with the stock tach, but do you have a meter to test it?

Paul

[JP_in_STL]

I've got a Tach/Dwell Meter and I'll use that to verify, but I'd guess right around 600rpm. The stock Tach doesn't do much until 1Krpm and then bounces around alot when I'm shifting. It idles pretty slow for being aircooled.

The linkage is pretty crappy. It's some tinny looking center mounted bell crank throw thing. It does work though . . . I guess I'll try bumping up the idle a bit and going from there.

What's the preferred linkage setup for running dual ICTs on a 914. I've got a set of dual 40IDFs that I'll probably eventually go too, but first things first.

- JP

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The spec for idle RPM is 850-950 for most 914s. Most people I know set the idle at or just under 1000.

Nearly doubling the idle RPM should help your dilution problem.

--DD

------------------
Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[Special K]

I had the same problem (diluted sample) with my '75. Never did get it fixed. Ended up parking the '75 (rust in bad places) and am in the process of rebuilding a '73. I live out in Franklin county by Six Flags, so I know exactly what you're talking about. A friend suggested getting "classic vehicle" plates because the car is over 25 years old, and then you wouldn't have to mess with the smog tests any more. Haven't check on the cost of the plates, but I'm sure it's less than the $75.00.

[24flys]

I got an idea! Move to Illinois. we don't have them emission tests over here! Just kidding. It's nice to know there's a couple 914's somewhat close to me. I live up by Rock Island, IL, and Davenport Ia. about 5 hrs north of st.louis.

scott

[JP_in_STL]

Illinois?? Why the hell would I want to move there?? That would just make for a longer commute to work for the BEER Co. I think staying in St. Louie is my best option :-) 10 minutes and I can smell malted hops and barley . . .

My plan is to up the idle speed to around 1K rpm and hope that it puts out enough to not get rejected for Sample Dilution. If that doesn't work then I'm just going to tune it so rich that it's guaranteed to throw out enough particles to fail. Then all I've got to do is spend the $75 in repairs and I can get a waiver. Hell, new plugs, wires, and a EI system will set me back more than that and I was going to do that anyway. Then I'll go back and if I still fail I'll just default and get the waiver. There's no limit on how many waivers you can get. I can keep doing this process until it's old enough to exempt.

Of course I'll tune it back the way it currently is so that I can get some decent performance and mileage out of it. all this hassle just to appease the Bureaucrats!!!!!!

I'll keep all of you posted on my progress Monday . . .

- JP

[Special K]

Definitely good to know there's other 914's around this part of the country. For awhile there I thought I was going to have to tow my '75 around behind my '73 and pretend I was at a 914 rally

[Special K]

JP- You work for Anheuser-Busch? You're my HERO!! Keep the product flowing! Yet another great German product.

[B Komar]

You have to be kidding me? They're freakin because your car runs too CLEAN??? What am I missing? No emissions testing here in Kansas!

[JP_in_STL]

I finally passed after 3 trips to the Testing Station.

I had a really nice line backed up behind me since the technicians didn't know what to do with a mid-Engined car. They make you get out and stand inside this glassed off room and the guy couldn't even figure out how to open the engine lid. Therefore they couldn't get a decent RPM reading and they ended up having to test 4-5 times. But it finally passed.

I didn't mess with the idle settings on the Carb. I didn't even change the plugs or wires. I just adjusted up the linkage so it was holding the carbs open and she was idling around 1100rpm. Seems to have done the trick.

She passed the saftey yesterday and I'm off to get real tags at lunch!!!! So if any of the 3 'Teeners in STL Metro want to get together, let me know. I'll eventually be dealing with suspension console rust and will need the moral support.

- JP

- JP