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-   -   Help!! Car won't pass smog for the 3rd time (https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1511496-help-car-wont-pass-smog-3rd-time.html)

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 11:21 AM

Help!! Car won't pass smog for the 3rd time
 
This is getting expensive and ridiculous. Quick back ground. I had long tubes on my 95 z28 all stock. It was time for smog so I took the off and put on some legal california mid length headers,
Took the car to get smogged and it didn't pass because of high HC (and nothing else everything else was perfect), I was told to give it a tune up, so I did. new plugs, wires, and o2 sensors.
Second time it didn't pass. I was told it needed a new opti and water pump. So I replaced those. With the second smog it was high HC again but it did drop.
Now I put in a new opti, water pump, and more new plugs because some of the plugs burned on the headers. Took it to the shop today and this time it was high NO. This was never a problem with the other smogs test.
At 15 mph max is 483 I had 784
At 25 mph max is 494 I had 742

With my other two smog test my NO was under 230 for both test. Now its so high, Im totally confused. Can anyone help out, what can cause a high HC all of a sudden??

Dave357LT1 Feb 2, 2012 11:26 AM

Im glad I live in Florida! Sorry about ur problems. Damn hippies

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 11:27 AM


Originally Posted by Dave357LT1 (Post 15916156)
Im glad I live in Florida! Sorry about ur problems. Damn hippies

Yes I gotta get out of hear these people crazy now...:bang:

SS RRR Feb 2, 2012 12:18 PM

What kind of catalytic converter are you running? EGR still in place?

05HD Feb 2, 2012 01:13 PM

What were the O2, HC, CO and NOx readings?

O2 is unconsumed oxygen
HC is unburned fuel
CO is partially burned fuel
NOx is a byproduct of high combustion temperature

The levels of all four gasses taken together provide a snapshot of what is going on inside the combustion chamber. Taken individually, they really don't say much.

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 01:41 PM


Originally Posted by SS RRR (Post 15916381)
What kind of catalytic converter are you running? EGR still in place?

The cat is new not sure what type it is nothing fancy. Here a picture of the smog VIR report... I had to write over the number with a pencil so the scanner could scan it..

http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/a...E/img001-1.jpg

BOBS99SS Feb 2, 2012 01:47 PM

lol im so glad i dont live there,

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 01:49 PM

As you can see here this was my previous smog test. the NO was fine but the HC didn't pass. Fast forward to new plugs, wires, opti, water pump, o2 sensors, CAT, and now I have a new EGR I'm about to put in...what else can I do??
http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/a...E/img001-2.jpg

SS RRR Feb 2, 2012 01:58 PM

Stock tune?

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 02:01 PM


Originally Posted by SS RRR (Post 15916749)
Stock tune?

If you consider a plugs, and wires a tune, then that all Ive done...but now that I think about it. When the car had LT headers a shop did do some kind of tune to it to make it run somewhat "better"...would the computer still think it has LT headers or something??

ahritchie Feb 2, 2012 02:19 PM

How old is this cat? Is it still in the stock location? Have you tried slipping the inspector a nice crisp Ben Franklin yet? :D

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 02:22 PM


Originally Posted by ahritchie (Post 15916820)
How old is this cat? Is it still in the stock location? Have you tried slipping the inspector a nice crisp Ben Franklin yet? :D

The cat is about 5 months old. With less than 100 miles on it. Im in cali and seems like smog shops won't look the other way anymore. everyone now is going by the book...lol.

Spartan7 Feb 2, 2012 04:46 PM

Sounds like an exhaust leak at the header flange.

Merlin8188 Feb 2, 2012 05:41 PM

Try new o2 sensors.
Add a gallon of e85 with several gallon of super unlead.
The alcohol will reduce combustion temps to bring down "NO" and the new o2 sensor will allow the ecu to adjust the parameter faster, reduce the "HC"

Cliff
369 CP Chevelle

Blue85350 Feb 2, 2012 05:48 PM

If you wanna go that way, if you ask the right people you'll find a friendly inspector.

SS RRR Feb 2, 2012 06:55 PM


Originally Posted by xxRONNIExx (Post 15916759)
If you consider a plugs, and wires a tune, then that all Ive done...but now that I think about it. When the car had LT headers a shop did do some kind of tune to it to make it run somewhat "better"...would the computer still think it has LT headers or something??

I think you need to get whatever may be in your PCM out and back to a stock tune if that is indeed the case.

stuart4185 Feb 2, 2012 07:32 PM

i have not personally done this as i just have to pass the idiot light test, but my buddy in his early model 5.0 mustang had to pass the sniffer test since it was earlier than 96. he dumpped 2 cans of denatured alcohol from depot in the tank when he filled it up and passed everytime. make sure the cats are good and hot too. go for a solid 30 minutes drive before you take it in. best of luck

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 07:39 PM


Originally Posted by Merlin8188 (Post 15917540)
Try new o2 sensors.
Add a gallon of e85 with several gallon of super unlead.
The alcohol will reduce combustion temps to bring down "NO" and the new o2 sensor will allow the ecu to adjust the parameter faster, reduce the "HC"

Cliff
369 CP Chevelle

o2 sensors are new on both sides...just put in new EGR still didn't pass at least I didn't have to pay. Back to the drawing board:bang:

xxRONNIExx Feb 2, 2012 07:40 PM


Originally Posted by SS RRR (Post 15917817)
I think you need to get whatever may be in your PCM out and back to a stock tune if that is indeed the case.

Maybe have the PCM reset?

05HD Feb 2, 2012 08:06 PM

It looks like high NOx with nothing else out of the ordinary. High combustion temp while not running lean points to too much timing advance or non-functional EGR. The valve is new so, is the EGR solenoid working right and getting proper manifold vacuum? Are the passages clear of carbon buildup? If all of that checks out, I'd head after the pcm programming.

Some alcohol in the fuel tank would bring the combustion temps (and NOx readings) down some for sure, if that is all you are after. Beat the shit out of it for 10 minutes before you line up for the test. The higher the cat temp, the better.


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