Cataclysmic

Replaced and checked:

Magnaflow Cat
NGK Plugs and Wires, gapped and model #'s listed on timing cover.
OEM Japan Cap/Rotor
Oil/Filter change.
Timing is spot on now.
o2 sensor tests as being good and working.

Test Results:

HC 0.81 FAIL, pass is 0.80
CO 15.34 FAIL, pass is 12
NOX 0.52 PASS, pass is 2

This test was run without denatured alcohol and using 87 octane fuel. I'm not sure why this car is still not passing the emissions test but I'm thinking either the fuel injectors are leaking fuel or I should be using 91 octane fuel which is the highest we have around here at normal gas stations.

Any suggestions please? Girlfriend needs the car for work and we have no more temporary plates we can buy from the DMV.

Cataclysmic

Oh, the cat was put on today because we had some shitty ebay one that was sold with the car when she bought it. They said it should pass with the new cat because the numbers were previously within HC .89 to 1.7 and CO from 12.45 to 16.1. And NOX was still passing but around 1 to 1.76.

So the new cat def. helped but didn't get it all the way there.

Cataclysmic

Help plz?

Former User

Any CEL?

Did you check the ignition timing with a timing gun and the service connector jumped? Is the valve clearance set to spec?


Is the fuel pressure a little high? Is the FPR working?

Cataclysmic

NO CELs

Ignition timing was done with a timing gun and service connector jumped. Valve clearance, no clue.. never done that one before nor would I trust myself.

Fuel pressure, no clue.. regulator.. no clue. Might be time to take it to a mechanic. Tried doing everything I could myself..

Don't really have the money for anything anymore lol :\

Former User

If you can borrow a few tools and a fuel pressure gauge and feeler gauges, then checking the fuel pressure and valve clearance would almost be free. Of course, you'd need to do all of the work.

Cataclysmic

Anyone else?

Tractor_Boy

it seems like a fuel issue, but what was the O2 reading from the emissions sheet???

check your injectors, it seems they are probably leaking

how many miles on the engine? could be getting blow-by in the cylinders due to worn cylinders/rings........

Cataclysmic

The emissions sheets here arent as detailed as other places. They only show HC, CO, and NOX.

The motor swap was done by the previous owner who was some 40-50 yr old man. He claims the motor only had 35k when installed, which would mean it has 45k now.

He did say that the fuel pump is the original fuel pump and the car has 210k miles on the chassis now. I'm wondering if the fuel pump is going bad and causing the car to lean out.

It's interesting because the car has a CX tranny and I figured it would get at least 40 mpg but it gets closer to 30-35 mpg with mainly highway driving.

Former User

Your engine is running rich not lean. If it were running lean, then the HC would be low and the NOX would be high. If anything, your fuel pressure would be high not low.

Tractor_Boy

+1 agreed, exactly what I was gonna say

Cataclysmic

I'm lookin around tryin to borrow anything to check the fuel pressure with...

Anything else I should inspect?

Tractor_Boy

some auto-parts stores rent tools, its not expensive, comes with everything you need and instructions on how to use it on your vehicle........

I know most of them are not mechanics, but sometimes the computer gives you a list of possible causes, does your sheet have any other info, or did the emissions inspector tell you anything???


I would start with fuel pressure, and injectors.......

Cataclysmic

Nah thats the only info AZ sheets give. And the emissions station people are only good for testing, they havent really said much else.

We have a mechanic who lives next door and I guess we might just take it over to his shop because they have emissions testing equipment there and can look it over.