emissions inspection failure

jdc22 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 05:54 PM

Well...not surprisingly I guess my 86 quad failed the very stringent Mass inspection today...only one spot though, the HC reading was 3.43 and the limit is 2.0. The car has not been driven much, very sporadically, over the last 5 or 6 years, and the guy doing the inspection said it probably needed to be driven through a few tanks of gas, new plugs and wires maybe if not a little tune up..maybe a sensor, maybe some injector cleaner. Does this all sound like good advice...I know this failure means it's not burning fuel correctly. I intend to drive it through a few tanks of gas and then try and get it to a local alfa mechanic for a check up. Too bad, it seems to run really well and I hope it's nothing too major. Any suggestions are welcomed...I knew it was too good to be true and it was going very smoothly.

81alfa · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 08:39 PM

Do the old Italian Tune up- First replace plugs - Fill tank with new gas 89-92 octane. Then warm it up - Now for the tune up - Run the piss out of it and red line it in every gear. Now you are ready for inspection. Little dramatic but thats what Bradens Bible says. Worked for me in NJ when I had to get through inspection. Now I'm registered as a Collector car and don't have to go through that. Really,as the guy said - Couple of tanks of gas and new Plugs I would try again. One thing for sure - These cars run so much better when you push them to the limit. Key is to know when to and when not to push. Like any good woman they have their limits too. Good luck

gotglasses · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 09:40 PM

I had same experience with my 86 Quad - HC high. It was the spark plugs running over rich . Mine was from the AFM being set a few notches richer. You may also need an O2 sensor if it has never been replaced. One for a 91 Mustang GT should work fine. The Italian Tune up is always fun, but when you get it inspected they will let it idle so long that the plugs will foul again.

jdc22 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 06:23 AM

Is the Mustang O2 generally accepted on here as good for a replacement? Makes it easy...any plug recommendations? Would it be wise to do the Italian Tune Up, then before bringing it in replacing the plugs again so they are new and won't foul as quickly?
Thanks
Joel

turbolarespider · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2004, 05:54 AM

If its a big, fat sensor with the Bosch Logo on it, it will work just fine.

An NTK sensor will work, too... All the O2 sensors work the same- for the most part (there are some very minor details), just the heaters are different.

Thankfully, the standard is pretty high- your readings also suggest a dead catalyst.

Eric

jdc22 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2004, 08:48 PM

thanks for the sensor info. I spoke to the local alfa mechanic who is going to check the car out in a week or so, and he tells me that the HC reading alone does not idicate a bad catalyst (would need a bad NOx reading also I think he said) but indicates a bad fuel burning...could be just a tune up, etc to cure. I like the sound of thay, as cc's are expensive! Any suggestions as to exhaust system> ANSA any good?