Bad_dude

So I got my car registration renewal notice today. It says I need to take it to a STAR test station. I know it's much more stringent but what are the differences?
What's the best way to prepare to make sure your car pass it? My CB and Corolla have always pass without cheating and preparation. Since it's much stricter, how would a car that always pass before fail this time with the STAR station?
So I found the smog check back in 2007 when I got the car and it passed with flying colors. I don't get it, I did lots of maintenance and it got much worse than before I even did all of the cleaning up. What the heck guys?

-New plugs, NGK or Denso.
-New Denso wires.
-Clean EGR ports and EGR valves.
-Fram Air Hog air filter.
-Replaced some hoses.
-Cap and rotor.
-Valve adjustments.
-Fixed the distributor O-ring leak.
-Replaced valve cover.
-New battery.
-Replace alternator with new brush kit.
-New tires.
-Seafoam.
-Switched to synthetic oil.
-New Denso O2 sensor.
-Alarm.
-Fuel filter, twice replaced but with the O'reilly, not OEM.
-Timing is on both base and ignition.
-Idle dead on at 750rpm.
-New Honda Tranny fluid.
-New Honda Power steering fluid.
-After market Autozone PCV valve.
And a few more things I can't remember.

So which one of these items above that might have caused the HC and Nox to go up so much higher? Air filter or fuel filter, or synthetic oil? Valve adjustments? After market PCV valve?

The only thing that are difference between the test in 2007 vs. the ones in 2009 and 2011 are the stations and the after market PCV valve and Air hog air filter. The station used in 2007 is further. So I was thinking maybe the cat was not hot enough with the nearer station used in 2009 and 2011.

Thanks.

MAD_MIKE

You have issues at 15mph, just because it 'passed' doesn't mean it is in tune. HC and NOx...


Ditch the hog filter it is pure ****, and most likely leaving oil residue in your intake tract. Install a paper element.

Being that you have been borderline, you have been nicked. CARB claims their 'sampling' tests are random, but that is pure *****. You, sir, are in their sights.

ReaperMan

and don't use synthetic oil in these engines. jesus guys.... is your engine rebuilt or near low low low miles for you to be using synthetic?

Bad_dude

Why can't I used synthetic? The car has zero leak, not one drop.
Mad Mike: What do you mean by in tune? How do I fix that? How much more could I tune it? It's all stock and base and ignition timing is dead on.
Thanks.

lostforawhile

The tests are designed to make you fail,cali wants you to give up,sell your car for. Scrap, and drive a preapism,not kidding

marshonda

Long Island used to have dyno smog tests on cars 25 years or newer. Then in 2011 it went to OBII cars get plug in to a computer and all others just get enhanced safety inspection. Just to make sure you have a safe ride and a cat if it came with one new. It does not even have to work. It was a huge change here. This if for all of down state NY, Upstate is enhanced safety only and cant have a CEL on.

lostforawhile

The agenda in cali is to remove every old car on the road by making it impossible to legally drive it, its a well known agenda,they have even tried to pass laws making it illegal to even sell parts off of a car that can't pass emissions, any parts, if it wasn't for SEMA the jackbooted thugs would have already forced you to have your car crushed

dwllama

I don't know enough about the system to say for sure if it works this way, but to me a gradual increase may indicate a gradual loss of effectiveness in your cat.

also, its definitely a good idea to get the car nice and warm first...
lots of short trips and very few long ones to get it thoroughly warm can also negatively effect the cat efficiency.

Bad_dude

Well, I was just wondering how could the test be so good in 2007 and be so bad in 2011? If you look at the mileage, I haven't driven it that much and keep it clean and well maintained. Just wonder if some thing went wrong with the maintenance.

A little off topic but I want to seafoam the car but would that ruin my relatively new O2 sensor in there with less than 4000 miles? I am putting in the old plugs and wires for the treatment then put in the new Denso plugs and wires.

Thanks.

Bad_dude

I thought getting the cat warm up helps pass easier. How could it negatively effect the cat efficiency?
Thanks.

lostforawhile

they said when they implemented this it was designed to make cars fail, so people would stop driving them, it's environmental overkill bullshit politics, this is the state that wants catalytic converters on lawn and garden equipment

Bad_dude

Who are they? And where did you hear or read that they want to do this? I know they do but I want to read it myself.
So even an old car if run within specs like when new off the lot, they can't fail it as the car is efficient at that time.
So what is the difference b/w communism and California?

lostforawhile

SEMA has been fighting this stuff for years, they tried to make the tests extremely difficult several years ago, but it was defeated, now apparently they have found a way to pass it. as long as the greenies own California it's going to be more and more difficult to own an older car there. They are always trying to pass bull **** regulations about older cars

MAD_MIKE

Sea foaming will remove any varnish and carbon buildup inside the engine. If the car only sees short trips/low rpm driving this may cause carbon buildup which will increase HC as carbon acts like a sponge and will absorb fuel, along with carbon in the combustion chamber and on top of the pistons will increase the compression ratio which will increase NOx.

Ditch the Air Hog filter, the media used is poor and very porous.

Seafoam the fuel tank, oil, and air intake. This will remove varnish and carbon buildup.
And go to your old smog station, if for nothing else the longer drive to make sure the drive train is completely warmed up.

dwllama

You misread - I was saying if you only take shorter trips, it doesn't get warmed up thoroughly. MAD MIKE has a clearer explanation of why this is bad.
Nice long 15min/15mi + trips (especially on a highway with little or no stop and go) are going to be better for it.

Bad_dude

The previous owner also took short trips with this car since he bought new. 10 minutes each day back and from work. However, since I got it, the period in mid 2011, I have taken short trips. Perhaps this is why. I have done seafoam twice the brake booster and quite a few times with seafoam and regane in the gas tank. I have never used it in the oil as I figure I only synthetic and it has more cleaning in the synthetic oil.
I guess I'll go to the station that is further this time to get the car warm up more. I got rid of the air hog. Replaced the PVC valve gasket as it was loose on the valve. I also put back the OEM PCV valve which is still working in place of the after market from Autozone.
Some one told me the Lucas deep clean fuel cleaner is pretty good, any advice on that?
Thanks.