Gosh Darn Emmissions (90q20v)

[Ameer Antar]

Sounds like your car still has issues w/ proper mixture. I'd try to fix that as best as possible cuz that might be the cause of poor performance and lead to higher emissions. It'll also affect the o2 sensor and cat if the mixture is too lean or too rich. About octane, make sure you use what the driver's manual calls for. Lower octane can cause knocking esp. on older cars which have carbon buildup. Your ECU is probly smart enough to detect knocking, so keep an eye out for any check engine lights... assuming that system is working properly.

Sounds like you're burning a little oil too, right? That can also affect the life of o2's and cat's not to mention MAF's, etc.; and it increases carbon buildup. Once you get a handle on some of these issues, replace the cat. I just really think it's important to reduce the emissions of our cars, unless maybe they're race only. There's a huge difference in emissions w/ and w/o the cat. I personally don't feel the environment should be sacrificed for a relatively small performance boost. Just my 2 cents.

-Ameer


----Original Message----
From: David Thoresen <david at epicfoto.com>
Date: 5/13/04 8:32:32 PM
Subject: Re: Gosh Darn Emmissions (90q20v)

Well it's done... I ended up getting the car registered at my moms 
address where they don't need emissions done..  yay!

However I did want to check the cat (and get rid of the tip of the OXS 
sensor that had found its way in there)  I ended up hollowing out the 
cat, and found quite a bit of it had melted!  I am assuming this could 
be an issue of being to old or the car running rich.

I cant wait to use up the tank of low octane fuel I have in the car 
right now... even so its A LOT faster with the cat hallowed out.

I did take of the throttle body yesterday cleaned it up with some air 
intake cleaner... sure was FILTHY... lots of oil and gook in there, I 
am tempted to think that is from the collapse of the engine breather 
hose a while back (replaced with the new version)... I am curious to 
see how dirty the intake manifolds are (will take those off when I 
replace my valve cover gasket.)

Thanks everyone for your help!  The cat certainly was the culprit!  And 
my curiosity killed the cat!  ;o)

David
90q 20v