Failed Emissions

[karmat]

Replaced plugs (with NGK platinums), verified #3 wire (even swapped it out) and still got the same weird reading on #3. I can't tell if it's something weird with the multimeter or if it really isn't firing often enough on that cylinder. Could the coil cause this? Seems weird it would always be the one cylinder. Anyway, after an oil change and further mucking around it still won't pass emissions. I suspect the catalytic converter is toast. I've scheduled with Veloce Motors to take it in tomorrow. Hopefully Dan Sommers can figure out what it needs.

Karl

[AlfaTipo]

I would try to determine why #3 is showing odd readings before lumping out good cash on a new converter. What does the plug color (medium brown) look like? Are they all the same?

The coil should not make a difference on one cylinder but the rotor may be iffy gap wise on #3? Check inside the dist. cap and make sure the electrode looks the same as the others. Caps may look OK but can break down under high voltage so swap it out with another if you have one.

If you are in the Portland area I have a spare cap/rotor and lead set to try.

[karmat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaTipo I would try to determine why #3 is showing odd readings before lumping out good cash on a new converter. What does the plug color (medium brown) look like? Are they all the same?

[AlfaTipo]

Karl, the CO reading was pretty low. It may be running too lean. That, somewhat paradoxically, will increase HC levels.

My main squeeze (mechanical these days!) won't pass either. I am fitting a Zeitronix wide-band O2 sensor. Mainly to get an accurate A:F ratio. As it wil also give me a new sensor it may go aways to getting through DEQ.

I am on my 2nd 21-day trip permit and it expires next Saturday so something has to work and work soon.

Jef

[karmat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaTipo I am fitting a Zeitronix wide-band O2 sensor. Mainly to get an accurate A:F ratio. As it wil also give me a new sensor it may go aways to getting through DEQ.

[91spiderNV]

Easiest way to pass smog is to crank the AFM screw all the way to too lean. Engine runs terrible but it passes smog, feels as if its not htting on all cylinders, then crank the screw back down to the rich level the engine wants to run at.

I'd try the easy fix first before the rocket science, but if all else fails after you replace all the stuff everyone tells you to replace, just try the AFM screw.

[karmat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91spiderNV Easiest way to pass smog is to crank the AFM screw all the way to too lean. Engine runs terrible but it passes smog, feels as if its not htting on all cylinders, then crank the screw back down to the rich level the engine wants to run at. I'd try the easy fix first before the rocket science, but if all else fails after you replace all the stuff everyone tells you to replace, just try the AFM screw.

[karmat]

Jef I picked your kindly loaned wires, cap, and rotor this PM and tried it out. Same readings off the meter. WTF?! I did find that the hall sensor pickups were out of spec in two instances and bent them farther out to get them within the .5-.6mm tolerance specified in the manual. Didn't make any difference. I'm thinking red herring from the meter now. We'll see what Dan says. I'm taking it tonight.

Thanks a ton for your assistance. I discovered, BTW that my distributor is maybe 180 out from yours as I had to move all the wires on the cap. Weird, eh?

Karl

[karmat]

So Dan put a new cat on the car, re-timed and re-tuned it and installed a new O2 sensor I had left with the car. Apparently my tuning with no exhaust analyzer wasn't quite spot on. But, they tell me it should pass with flying colors. I'm headed down tomorrow to pick it up so we'll see what the testing center says saturday morning. Cross your fingers for me.

Why is it that it hurts so much more to spend so much money on something that seemingly doesn't make the car run any better... I know it _does_ now run better as I pointed out earlier. But still.

Jef, I'll drop your stuff by your place on saturday. I'll call you first to make sure it's cool.

Karl

[AlfaTipo]

Hey Karl anytime. Not sure what my non-planed plans are for Saturday. I guess they are opening PIR up for slow tours of the new course. May head on over. Weekend schedule in PDF here.

My gal passed DEQ yesterday. By a whisker; 215 HC but hey, it passes right?

I probably only needed an O2 sensor but I now have the wide-band in and can monitor the A:F under a variety of conditions. So long as my knackered laptop battery lasts anyway.

Mind you she runs like crap today. I shall go get registered tomorrow.

Now my mind can drift to the other really important repairs.......

[karmat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaTipo My gal passed DEQ yesterday. By a whisker; 215 HC but hey, it passes right?

[chelo]

If your car is really close to passing. The best thing to do is run it until you have about 3 gallons. Make sure your running regular. It burns faster. Drive your car for at least 30min making sure that temperature is up. Add some denatured alcohol and it will pass. You can also turn on the a/c to a low position. Makes the engine run hotter. It will also pass. This is of course your within a 100hc.

[karmat]

Chelo, wish I had heard those tips to try a week ago! Well next time. What does the denatured alcohol do? Lower the octane rating of the remaining gas?

In any case, with the new catalytic converter and a little tuning the car passed this morning with flying colors. 123 HC, 0.0000 CO, 7.1 CO2. Woot!

Karl

[A.J.K.]

retard timing,take air filter out, put heat gas line antifreeze in gas tank.dont forget to puttiming back afterwards.

[chelo]

Denatured alcohol burns clean. Although too much will damage rubber hoses. I had not logged in to this sites in weeks.