Emissions test=Failed!! HELP!

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

531

9

49

Ontario, Canada

Jun 30, 2006

#1

• Jun 30, 2006

• #1

I just had an emissions test done today and my car failed!! The readings were ....

HC ppm Limit=66 My reading=58 PASS
CO% Limit=0.37 My reading=0.01 PASS
NO ppm Limit=0757 My reading=1834 FAILED!!!

Idle readings all passed.

Now i need some help as to where to start looking for my problem.I had new headers and H pipe installed before winter so i doubt it is an exhaust leak.My car has 165xxx kms on it and i change my oil every 3-4000 kms so the motor is still running ok in my opinion.Just curious where should my timing be set at for a basically stock 5.0L?? From what i saw it looks like it is at 12*( is each line on the balancer 1 or 2 *?? )I run 87 octane gas 99.9% of the time.I'm on a tight budget at the moment so i need to get this fixed asap without spending tons of $$ PLease help

Oh did i mention emissions testing sux!!


Thanks

 

mustanghunter50

New Member

May 30, 2006

123

0

0

easton pa

Jun 30, 2006

#2

• Jun 30, 2006

• #2

find someone who will just give you the stickers without the test

 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

531

9

49

Ontario, Canada

Jun 30, 2006

#3

• Jun 30, 2006

• #3

Thats pretty hard to do around here in Ontario.I have to bring the sheet with the data to the Ministry of Transportation in order to get my plate sticker.

 

8

89SaleenGT

New Member

Dec 24, 2003

32

0

0

Jun 30, 2006

#4

• Jun 30, 2006

• #4

NOx is way up. timing for a stocker should be set about 8-10°BTDC with spout removed.

Car sitting at idle passes.

OK,

Set the timing then check the EGR if it is working.

If the car was on a rollers a cause of excessive NOx is a non-functioning EGR.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

101

124

Seattle

Jun 30, 2006

#5

• Jun 30, 2006

• #5

First thing to do is pull the codes from the computer.

I would suspect that your egr system comes up.

jason

 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member

Sep 9, 2000

4,675

38

119

Antelope Valley, SoCal

Jun 30, 2006

#6

• Jun 30, 2006

• #6

MahFiVeOh said:

Oh did i mention emissions testing sux!!

Click to expand...

Yeah, tell me about it. That's why I got the the '68(pre-'75 is exempt here). Too bad I have to get the SVO checked; they're usually hard to get to pass.

Since NOx is the only thing that went too high, I also suspect an EGR problem.
Sometimes a rich condition will make the cats burn too hot and raise the NOx, but it also elevates HC and CO. Both of those were low for you, leaving pretty much the EGR.

 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

531

9

49

Ontario, Canada

Jul 1, 2006

#7

• Jul 1, 2006

• #7

 

ej95cobra

Member

Oct 26, 2003

82

0

6

Southeastern PA

Jul 1, 2006

#8

• Jul 1, 2006

• #8

With NOx high and everything else fine it means your cylinder temps are high. I had the same problem in PA.

HC limit 0275; test = 175 passed
CO limit 1.10, test - 0.05 = passed
NOx limit 3600; test = 4270 - Failed

Car may be running lean. You could plug the vaccuum to FPR, that will increase fuel; but may throw other measures off. Also as noted above, you could retard the timing. I went to 7 degrees timing and plugged the FPR vaccuum; measures were:

NOx = 1565 = passed
CO = 1.55 = failed
HC = 570 = failed

Try putting in a lower temp thermostat (160*) to get past emissions. That's what worked for me. I also put timing back to 10*. Here are the readings"

HC = 220
CO = 0.2
NOx = 2530

Good luck.

 

stangjunkie

New Member

Nov 15, 2004

381

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0

Jul 1, 2006

#9

• Jul 1, 2006

• #9

retard the timming and try again still nothing then unplug an injector

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

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124

Seattle

Jul 1, 2006

#10

• Jul 1, 2006

• #10

I am always amazed at the suggestions for passing emissions tests.

Do not un hook an injector.
Do not install a 160 stat. (unless your local weather dictates)

The majority of emissions failures also indicate that something is wrong with the motor.

Fix the problem!
Don't create new problems!

Pull the codes!

jason

 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member

Sep 9, 2000

4,675

38

119

Antelope Valley, SoCal

Jul 1, 2006

#11

• Jul 1, 2006

• #11

Try putting in a lower temp thermostat (160*) to get past emissions.

Click to expand...

Definitely don't do that. It's possible the engine will not come out of warmup enrichment. I suppose that could cool down the combustion temps, but also at the expense of HC and CO emissions. I actually put a 195* in my '89 GT before getting it tested. It had a MAF, headers, and Flowmasters on a 180k engine and never went over half the limit for any emissions. I don't know if I still have the old smog sheets for it...

The only reason I didn't get caught on the shorty headers is because they were Flowtechs that turned rusty and looked stock.

 

ej95cobra

Member

Oct 26, 2003

82

0

6

Southeastern PA

Jul 1, 2006

#12

• Jul 1, 2006

• #12

The issue is getting past emissions inspection. The 160* will help keep the chamber temps lower thereby reducing the NOx. It will not significantly affect HC or CO emmissions. You can put a 180* or 195* back after passing inspection and spend as much time as you want chasing other causes.

 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.

Nov 8, 2003

2,120

2

59

windsor, Canada

Jul 1, 2006

#13

• Jul 1, 2006

• #13

with cats on the car there is NO reason why you can't pass...pull the codes and set timing at 8deg, leave the spout out for the test.