Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

After all this work my car still failed emissions test. Everything I did helped a ton and passed everything really well, except teh low speed HC @ 219 limit 200. :thumbdown:
I'm not sure what to do next. I know what I should do -register this car outside this county. ;) But I'd like to do things correct and don't want to just give up.

Here's a few questions.
My car was fully warmed up (temp at it's normal area, radiator fan would come on several times while stopped. I probably only drove it ~ 12 miles and none of it was on the freeway. Could this by my issue?

What should I look at to fix this?

I'm considering an additive to make it pass, has anyone used these before?

Should I adjust my timing a bit? (it's currently spot on)

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

I've looked into the fuel additives and they seem to be just cleaners.....
I did read about using Acetone to lower HC emissions.
Link HERE

Anyone try this?

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

Heck, I got Rusty to pass emissions, and I know it should not have. If you do the following it will probably pass...

#1. Go into emissions test with a fresh oil change.
#2. Run the hell out of the car right before the test. I usually run it 70 MPH down the interstate for 20 or 30 miles, then pull off the highway and into the emissions station without shutting it off.

Doing this my sister once got a car that would belch out black smoke when you accelerated to pass a smog test.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

The oil was changed a couple of days ago.
The only thing I didn't do was run it hard on the freeway. I usually do but was concerned my idle was going to shoot up too high again. I felt it was good and warm with the driving I did do and my idle would kick up just over 1k RPM.
I asked what the limit for RPM was to find out it's 1200. So I pulled around the corner and checked mine with an external tach.
Turned out I was fine at 1100 RPM when the fan would kick on.

I think I'll try Acetone, drive it in from home (interstate all the way for 15 miles).

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

It passed! The acetone and a 25 mile trip down the free way must have helped.
Here's what I don't understand.
The my first attempt after the new carb insulator, pvc, 02, set timing.
I had only driven the car ~12 miles down a one way street, it was good and warm but got these results. Bold= fail
High speed: Low speed:
HC 60 219
CO .45 .02
CO2 14.5 6.2
O2 1.19 10.22

After the acetone and 25mile drive on the interstate.
High speed: Low speed
HC 93 137
CO 1.0 0.00
CO2 14.5 9.3
O2 0.00 6.98

I'm not sure I fixed anything or just made it pass. This car has some miles on it and low compression can cause some of these problems. But so can a malfunctioning cat.
Does anyone see anything that might suggest something is up?

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

Look at what Rusty did after a nice run down the highway...

https://www.gassavers.org/garage_imag...lsq6j7r7jc.jpg

https://www.fuelly.com/attachments/fo...5d0da2d44a.jpg

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

That's what I'm talking about! I drove this 80 mph for 25 miles, The car was idling near the max at 1200. I tried to turning it down but it had no affect when the fan was running. Something was making it rev up.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

The air conditioner can bump the idle speed up on some cars.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

No A/C, I think its the fan unit to cool the radiator.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

congrats! i too believe in the power of acetone.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

Wow. Congrats. :D I wonder at what age the VX won't have to pass emissions here in Atlanta???

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

In Virginia cars over 25 years old are exempt from emissions. I believe its the same for most states.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

Albuquerque I think is the only place in the whole state that requires emissions testing. There is no "age" requirement, just everything after 1975.
I think it should be on a sliding scale to something like 25 years old are exempt.
It should be a crime to require me to sell a vehicle that beats new cars MPG just because it's not as clean burning as it should be.

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

The ironic thing is everyone that lives outside the county are technically* exempt, and since allot of people live outside the city are in a different county are working in the city aren't doing emissions.
To really make this work, all the surrounding counties within ~ 15 to 20 miles should be included in mandatory testing.

*The law says that if they commute to the city a certain number of times a week they are required to have emissions testing.
But this is a city law and how are they to enforce that? They can't.

Here's an example how screwed up New Mexico laws are:

The state passed a law that required all operators under 18 to have an OHV training course w/ card. They started issuing tickets to the parents & riders for not having the training &/or card in Possession.

The real kicker is there's no training anywhere in the state to be in compliance!:mad:

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

I'm giving this update to the emissions issue in case someone is searching for a similar problem.
In short the thermostat was the issue- not allowing the temperature to reach proper temp.
The gage would appear to be normal too. :rolleyes:
Here's the link to the T-stat.
https://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=12882

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

You also had to forfeit the inspection fee after a failed test?

Re: Emissions Test = FAIL!
 

Well, my old inspection place of 15 years had a different guy for my last inspection place and he charged me full price for the inspection.
So They are fired. :thumbdown:
The state will re-inspect free with a failed emission test. That's where I went for last years cert.

This year I started using Jiffy Lube- Free drinks and popcorn while you wait, and $4 cheaper.
Passed first time this year with flying colors + 2year cert. :thumbup: