Can not pass emissions test.

[mechjames]

I've used up my conditional 3 month pass for our Aircare Emissions testing and now I'm restricted to temporary insurance permits at 26$ a day.

Originally after I bought the car, I took it through the test, and failed on Hydrocarbons only.

The readings are:
HC g/km= 0.7553 MAX 0.5000 FAIL
CO g/km= 2.1388 MAX 9.3200 PASS
NOx g/km= 1.0371 MAX 1.2400 PASS

So I proceeded to do a full tuneup, seafoam (worst seafoam i've ever done) plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, Pennzoil Ultra oil change, no PCV valve on this car (factory).
Someone also told me to put a litre of methyl hydrate in the tank to mask the HC's. I think it boosted my NOx's instead.

I then tried again, and it got worse.

HC g/km= 0.8558 MAX 0.5000 FAIL
CO g/km= 3.2470 MAX 9.3200 PASS
NOx g/km= 1.2483 MAX 1.2400 FAIL

Now I just realized that the previous owner was using 87 octane 10% ethanol, and that's the gas that I have been testing with. I've now got a full tank of 92 octane ethanol free. Could using the wrong gas cause different readings on a car designed for premium fuel?

The only other thing I haven't tried yet is changing the O2 sensors. With the age on them, they probably could be done and bump my readings down a bit.

If I do that, should I reset the computer again? (I did it after the tune up so that it can relearn the mixtures, then I took it for a 60km drive.) Does the EEC-IV have a drivecycle to get the leanest mixture? That could be also why I didn't pass, maybe I didn't drive it long enough.

Other thing I could think of is the Catalytic converters. There's 3 of them on this car. Not looking forward to the cost of replacing those.


I drove the car about 60km after the tune up (highway), and that equaled to about an hour of driving in rush hour stop and go traffic.

The last time for the etest I waited about 20 min. Usually it's 5-10, but I only got there towards the end of the day. They always make us idle in the lineup, so everything was nice and hot.

The car isn't showing symptoms of a plugged, inefficient or broken catalytic converter. Car takes off like a bat out of [censored] like a Taurus SHO is designed to. No smell of a rotten egg, and there is no rattling.

 

[mechjames]

Alright, got home from work, and at operating temperature I initiated an EEC test.

Key on engine off revealed my continous memory code was a 172. The regular KOEO was a 111-pass.

During the run test, it also came up as a 111. I then proceeded to do the cylinder balance test, and came up with a 99=all cylinders equal.

Code 172 is

HEGO sensor circuit indicates system lean (right side)

So looks like it should be my oxygen sensor. If it's wrongfully indicating that it is lean, that means the mixture is richening up, failing my test.

 

[Ishodu]

Change the 02 sensors, and then check out the "how do I section" for a post on how to pull your spout. This should get you though the test if not. You may need new cats.

 

[mechjames]

Going to change the O2's today, and go in for the test tomorrow. If it fails, i'll pull the SPOUT.

 

[wingtip80]

I got mine to pass by pulling the hose off on the front valve cover while I ran it through.

 

[Vnuk1]

Change the 02 sensors, and then check out the "how do I section" for a post on how to pull your spout. This should get you though the test if not. You may need new cats.

This^^

 

[Ishodu]

Pull the spout anyway. Its going to help not hurt you.

 

[mechjames]

Alright, i'll pull my PCV hose and spout tomorrow. Wish me luck. I really want to drive this car, but the insurance is up, and I can't renew until it passes emissions.

 

[St Louis SHO]

The spout all by itself will make that thing clean....

 

[sperold]

Good luck, I am still waiting for all my parts to come in to do my tuneup (where I will probably fail even worse with my luck), but I do have O2 sensors on the list.
Another guy from BC mentioned "Guaranteed to Pass" from CTC, try it, it is cheap, and we have to try everything.

 

[mechjames]

That guaranteed to pass stuff, it says you have to run almost a full tank through before going to emissions.

I can't get my car insured anymore until emissions is tested. They just give me temporary permits to get there. Usually a day or two.

 

[riden2low]

Change out your 02's and be done with it. Had the same problem but I was doing my front 60k anyways so I changed out the 02's just because I didn't know the history of the car and when was the last time they were changed. Passed with flying colors.

 

[mechjames]

After changing the O2's and driving for a day:

So latest test results:

HC g/km = 0.8971 MAX 0.500 FAIL
CO g/km = 3.4085 MAX 9.3200 PASS
NOx g/km = 1.6923 MAX 1.2400 FAIL

At this point I decided to remove the SPOUT jumper, as instructed here. Results got better but not perfect to pass.

HC g/km = 0.6266 MAX 0.5000 FAIL
CO g/km = 3.3641 MAX 9.3200 PASS
NOx g/km = 0.9225 MAX 1.2400 PASS

But not enough. A shop I know is going to test the cat converters, but i'm sure now that is the issue here. New cats should bring my HC down enough to pass emissions.

Also, aftermarket cats usually only last a few years, and they look like they have been changed already.

 

[St Louis SHO]

The spout all by itself will make that thing clean....

I eat my words.

 

[sperold]

I am not positive, but look into the rules of the game on your "Drive Clean" program.
If you pay a fee to have the car analysed by the same bandits that are doing the test, (costs $130.00 here) they will give you a repair analysis. You have all your receipts for your repairs so far, and that eliminates them from the list. When the cats are identified as the culprits... the repair cost exceeds $350.00 and you are then exempt from performing that change. You will get a conditional pass, which is alright except you can't sell it until you get a valid pass.
Just a thought. Might get you out of a jam for now until you want to upgrade the cats.

 

[mechjames]

I eat my words.

Well, it might still. I put the spout back in my car was running rough and stalling out for a bit. I figure the 20 min drive from one emissions test centre to the other test centre wasn't enough for the ECU to burn clean yet. I've pulled the SPOUT out, and will drive it tonight and all day tomorrow, and go in tomorrow afternoon.

I'm only 0.12 away from passing now. It might just work. Otherwise i'm going to have the cat's temp tested.

 

[sperold]

Who did the 02 sensors, You or a shop?
When a shop did mine, the car failed miserably. They used some brand X units that they buy by the dozen for about $5.00 each. When my RPM dropped below 2000, my CEL would come on.
I installed some Motorcraft 02 sensors, and it passed with flying colours.
Just letting you know that there are some things that do make a difference.

 

[mechjames]

Who did the 02 sensors, You or a shop?
When a shop did mine, the car failed miserably. They used some brand X units that they buy by the dozen for about $5.00 each. When my RPM dropped below 2000, my CEL would come on.
I installed some Motorcraft 02 sensors, and it passed with flying colours.
Just letting you know that there are some things that do make a difference.

Done myself. NTK's. Exact fit, not universal.

 

[mechjames]

Alright, passed my emissions test yesterday. Everything is below the average passing rate now.

Never buy a car with cheap aftermarket cats and expect them to work if they've been in use for 5 years (apparently)

Now, what to do with my old y-pipe? How about a cat delete? If I have to go to emissions again, i'll just put my good cat pipe on.

 

[luigisho]

That's not a bad idea. Maybe hollow them out so they pass visual inspection.