SMOGII check is killing me!

[Huw Powell]

just some random comments...

> Well the state of California wants to take my gross pollutin'  87.5 
> coupe GT off the roads.  Its failing the NOx portion of the test and I 
> just failed AGAIN after I:
> 
> 1. Installed new wires, dist. cap, rotor.  First failure, I had new 
> W7DTC plugs, air filter, oil and filter change.
> 2. Replaced rotted air intake hose (NAPA p/n BD825-6028  is a perfect fit)
> 3. Installed new thermostat (80 deg) and matching switch

I prefer the 87 degree thermostat, and so might your engine.

> 4. Set fuel mixture (0 mA +/- 1 mA)
> 5. Set timing dead on at 15 deg BTDC with fuse inserted in fuel pump relay.

Pull it back to 12 degrees, which I believe is stock.  Advancing gets 
you power at the expense of emissions, I believe.

> 6. Filled with 12 gallons of  Chevron 91 supreme with bottle of Techroline.
> 7. Checked compression: #1 160; #2 155; #3 158; #4 160; #5 155 (~165K on 
> the odo).
> 8.  Flushed nearly full cans of Berryman B-12 and SeaFoam carbon cleaner 
> through the charcoal canister opening with the engine at high idle-no 
> easy feat to do this operation.
> 
> And it still failed.
> 
> HC: 188 (max 116 @ 15 MPH-Failed); 27 (max 91 @ 25 MPH-passed)
> 
> CO%: 0.68 (@ 15 MPH) 0.22 (@ 25 MPH) both passed
> 
> NO(x): 2760 (max 791 @ 15 MPH-Gross Polluter); 1297 (max 730 @ 25 
> MPH-Failed)
> 
> I'm running out of ideas here-the smog guy thinks with the readings I've 
> got, a new CAT won't do it.  BTW, the CAT and O2 sensor were installed 
> new in 1999.  My A/F gauge shows the engine in closed loop and cycling 
> in sync with the DPR current.

So your OXS must be at least limping along.  "New in 1999" means "very old."

> Maybe I need an over night soak with SeaFoam filling the CC- I just 
> don't know.  BTW, the engine starts instantly and consistently returns 
> 27-32 MPG.  One thing I haven't checked is the waxstat controlled flap 
> in the airbox, its hard to get to.

That shouldn't affect warm operation, it is there to get preheated air 
off the exhaust manifold when everything is cold.

My vote would be for a new cat (or used, if you can convince someone to 
sell you one), if the t-stat doesn't help.  I don't think it is working 
anymore.  CO is under control because the OXS is still working.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/