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+--- Thread: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. (/showthread.php?tid=60423)
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Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Microman - 08-19-2008
1989 Toyota Corolla 4 Cyl (Carb) 170,000 + miles
Changed the oil and filter, Air Filter and plugs. Had to reatttach two plug wires where they came apart at plug during replacement of plugs. Put in some premium gas. Did a pre test, and guy at smog station said according to readings I need an O2 sensor. Bought one and put it in. And car readings were a lot better.
Guy heated the car up, and we did the test, but it still failed. Smog guy now suggests it needs a Catalytic Converter.
They told me of the place that sells one for $45, and of course they keep old unit.
Another regular muffler shop I go to charges $125, and says the cheap place sells Cartex, while he sells Carsound. Either way, if the car is not tuned properly it could kill the new Catyltic Convertor.
2 years ago, when I did smog check, I replaced the wires, rotor, and cap also.
This car is a driver. And here are smog results. $45 or $125 I can afford either, to help the kid. From the readings, any ideas?
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - davester - 08-19-2008
Too bad you failed by such a miniscule amount, but a fail is a fail. How messed up were the plug wires? Misfiring on account of bad plugs, wires, rotor or cap could definitely give you a high HC reading, though it could well be the cat. If it's the original cat, you're lucky it lasted this long.
Yep, it doesn't take very long running rich or misfiring to wreck a new cat.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Microman - 08-19-2008
Even though I use antiseize on plugs, and some sort of wire grease that is suppose to make the plug wires unplug easy, I still had the wire come off the metal part that clips on the top of the spark plug. I think I was able to reassemble the 2 plug wires where this happened. And not sure if new wires are neeed. Did all that 2 years ago.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Harbourmaster - 08-19-2008
If there is any question at all replace the wires!
Also you are actually hurting yourself by putting premium into the tank on that car.
Put on the new plug wires and drive it for a couple of days until you can refuel with regular.
Also check for any vacuum lines/hoses that may be disconnected or broken.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Ken Sp. - 08-19-2008
At Pep Boys and other car parts outlets there are some additives that are designed to help you pass.
It may or not work in your case--but they give you your money back if they do not work.
I think there are some DMV hardship programs for situations like this.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Filliam H. Muffman - 08-19-2008
It looks like it is running a little rich. Reducing the fuel mixture would lower the HC, CO, but could raise the NO a bit if the EGR valve is not working right.
I agree that using premium in a car it is not designed for will not help for something like this.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - macone - 08-19-2008
[quote Filliam H. Muffman]I agree that using premium in a car it is not designed for will not help for something like this.
For smog tests you do want to use Premium. It helps to keep the NOx down and slows the burn. By the numbers, I would suggest driving the piss out of the car prior to the smog test. Include 20 minutes on the freeway and a little Heet (Product name) wouldn't hurt.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Microman - 08-19-2008
Today, I will go have that Cat Converter put on at the "cheap" place up the FWY a bit in South Gate. Car is a driver, and if I have to put another on in two years, to make it pass so be it. And if it still doesnt do well with Cat Converter, then I am only in it for another 45. O2 Sensor was 37. This is the same car that has had an import engine in it, and I am sure the Cat Converter has had a lot of crap sent its way during its life.
We wil see, just not sure why its so cheap for a cat $45. I know they want the old one for scrap price, etc, just wondering in two years, will it be as cheap when I trade in their $45 one.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - Filliam H. Muffman - 08-19-2008
[quote macone][quote Filliam H. Muffman]I agree that using premium in a car it is not designed for will not help for something like this.
For smog tests you do want to use Premium. It helps to keep the NOx down and slows the burn. By the numbers, I would suggest driving the piss out of the car prior to the smog test. Include 20 minutes on the freeway and a little Heet (Product name) wouldn't hurt.
Unless you are a smog tech or have worked as a mechanic tuning cars for emissions, I will disagree.
In any case, I still stand by my comment that the car is running too rich. The mixture should be leaned out until the O2 jumps and then backed off. Having a quick adjustment by a mechanic with a combustion meter might be all it needs.
I had a car that would not pass smog unless it was driven right on the rollers. It failed twice until I got someone that shifted quickly and accelerated properly to the right speed. The carb fed rotary in my RX-7 would put out a bump in HC when you lift off the gas pedal on shifting and then stomp on it at a low RPM because of the accelerator pump circuit.
Re: Car didn't pass Ca. Smog Test. - macone - 08-19-2008
[quote Filliam H. Muffman][quote macone][quote Filliam H. Muffman]I agree that using premium in a car it is not designed for will not help for something like this.
For smog tests you do want to use Premium. It helps to keep the NOx down and slows the burn. By the numbers, I would suggest driving the piss out of the car prior to the smog test. Include 20 minutes on the freeway and a little Heet (Product name) wouldn't hurt.
Unless you are a smog tech or have worked as a mechanic tuning cars for emissions, I will disagree.
In any case, I still stand by my comment that the car is running too rich. The mixture should be leaned out until the O2 jumps and then backed off. Having a quick adjustment by a mechanic with a combustion meter might be all it needs..
My suggestion comes from real world dyno testing not surfing the net. Speaking of which, either you left something out or you didn't copy and paste enough in your mixture adjustment procedure or are you suggesting that he tells his mechanic what to do?