[20v] Lowering Emissions 90Q 20V

[Dan Sinclair]

Definitely do not underestimate temperature of the Catalytic Converter as it affects emissions output.

The only thing I would add/contradict:  Don't necessarily rely on freeway driving to heat it up.

I did a 35 minute freeway run to an Emission Test and failed in a California-spec 10v that had passed with flying colors in years past.  WAY below Oregon standards.  The emissions guys recommended that I NOT drive on the freeway, but instead do some hard driving stop-and-go around the surface roads.  Wind it up.  Run it hard, park it, let it idle for 5 minutes, and get it good and toasty.  Make sure the fan cycles a couple times to indicate the engine has hit high temp.  Freeway airflow can keep the engine and exhaust system relatively cool.  I think the theory is that you need some low speed/high rev stuff to get the engine and exhaust system to heat up.  It worked for me.  I drove back to the same Emissions station 20 minutes later after doing what they suggested, and passed with flying colors once again.  I've continued doing the same procedure with my 20v CQ and haven't failed a emissions test since.

Dan Sinclair
1990 Coupe Q
1988 90 10v

-----Original Message-----
From: Wojnicki, Arthur [mailto:Arthur.Wojnicki at intria.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 7:35 PM
To: 'David Thoresen'; quattro at audifans.com
Cc: 20v at audifans.com; West, Scott
Subject: RE: [20v] Lowering Emissions 90Q 20V




	Hi David;

	I failed my emission also this summer on my Audi 100
	NO was over 950 (limit 857).
	Here is what I've done to pass it.  It passed only by 4 points;
wasn't 		that close
	but it passed and I don't have to worry about it for next two years.

	1.  Poured in 1 bottle of 'GUARANTEED TO PASS',
	2.  When tank was almost empty bought the cleaneset, most octane
	    gasoline which is SUNOCO 94 here in Canada.
	3.  Drove car for about 1h just before test (Canadian Driver online
advices that catalytic converter works only when very hot and
one should drive for at least an hour on the highway before test
	    and do not wait for more then 10 minutes for the test (otherwise
	    reschedule).  To prove that look at VOLVO,  they created super
 	    fast catlytic converter heaters to meet new California emmision
	    standards.
	4.  Performed the test on non-humid day.

	All of that helped but it is hard to say what played the biggest
role.
	My mechanic says that next time I will probably have to change
catalytic
	converter.  I have least faith in 'GUARANTEED TO PASS'


	Artur