Failed emiisions test by this much

[Rod b]

Took the old 95 safari in for the dreaded emissions test today and failed as i expected Maybe some input from all you helpful people may shine a route to go .I must say the test center had just re calibrated their machine so it was dead on ( tooo bad for me)

here are the readings and a little history on this baby

emission test

5000 ks ago was checked over gold tipped plugs ( looked brand new)cap and rotor( were corroded) egr valve( surging and gave a code) fuel pressure regulator( was leaking) and needed a new cat for emissions .The tech at the garage said it was so little either run 1/2 hi-test and try again in a couple days or go to another shop.It has always stunk of unburnt fuel even with the new cat ( sulphur) the tech says the cat seems okay any ideas would be great Id hate to throw on a new set of plugs as you know they are a ***** unless you have a hoist thanks in advance

[sadglad]

My 93 failed with similar circumstances. It barely passed the higher rpm test with high HC but failed at idle with excessive HC. It had new cap+rotor, new wires, new plugs. It turns out one of the spark plugs had a hairline crack in the porcelain. I had looked and listened for a spark jump in a dark garage but did not see it. I used a clear plastic hose as a stethoscope and the clear plastic caught a faint glimpse of spark jump and reflected it back enough to see. Without the hose the spark was not visible.

Replaced the one spark plug and passed HC levels by a wide margin. Van ran much better too.

[Rod b]

The van seems to run fine no real miss felt I may just jamb in a new set of plugs and some hi test and retest the old girl I just cant afford to pour a lot into it ...

[1990GMCRallySTX]

My 93 failed with similar circumstances. It barely passed the higher rpm test with high HC but failed at idle with excessive HC. It had new cap+rotor, new wires, new plugs. It turns out one of the spark plugs had a hairline crack in the porcelain. I had looked and listened for a spark jump in a dark garage but did not see it. I used a clear plastic hose as a stethoscope and the clear plastic caught a faint glimpse of spark jump and reflected it back enough to see. Without the hose the spark was not visible.

Replaced the one spark plug and passed HC levels by a wide margin. Van ran much better too.

Hey, did you happen to snap a pic of the hairline crack on the plugs ? Did you need to look very closely to spot it or is the crack obvious. The van I run failed with high HC idle as well.

[Jasen]

Did you change the oil before the test. This has worked for me in the past on the close ones and now I always change the oil before test.

[Rod b]

yes fresh oil change on friday so that's not it the tech asked that too its 1 thing i always do

[sadglad]

Hey, did you happen to snap a pic of the hairline crack on the plugs ? Did you need to look very closely to spot it or is the crack obvious. The van I run failed with high HC idle as well.

Sorry, no pic. It was fairly obvious.

[thor124]

How hot was the engine at test? My 1995 Monte Carlo flunked once when the engine was only "warm"(warm enough to be in closed loop, but not up to full operating temp). Passed the next time when I took it to them after a 20minute drive on the highway.

[Rod b]

come to think of it i only drove 8 blocks in the city sat half hour then they took it in .If the cat was having problems would it be more evident at higher temp or lower ??

[94 Van Guy]

I agree with thor124 about the engine being hot. A must to pass emissions. I always take mine out for a 15 min run on the freeway first.

Good luck,

Keith

EDIT: Typo

[Rod b]

will find out in the morning might put in a bit of hi-test and give her a half hour hiway burn before my 8:30 am test .Someone also mentioned a canister filter I don't think my 95 has one ???

[Rod b]

Well getting it hot didn't pay off the test failed even worse .Took it back to original testing station and was ready to pay the 90 for diagnosis left the truck came home.Nervous as to more big bucks called later in day guy says all done he says it passed??? Spoke to the tech ( first time id gone here) he waited until the office was empty and said I know why your truck failed too much fuel left at idle so when the test asked for idle loop the truck wasnt at idle . I think i found a real honest give a **** shop il go back .He says he doesnt believe in this 459 limit especially when its off by so little. He did suggest change the o2 sensors if i never had so thats next .

[1990GMCRallySTX]

I really hate car repair shops, they are always in it for themselves and usually don't do the work you had asked and sometimes end up by making things worse, and stealing your money. Even worse are the Manufacturer 'Stealerships' .

[Rod b]

my experience seems to have negated that all shops are thieves Ive ran a number of repair shops and yes there are techs out there to jamb you but they are not everywhere.As for dealers they were built for warranty work only and people that take their cars there are either loyal and have a rapore with a trusted tech or don't know any better .It seems you were burnt once or twice and thats a drag but please don't paint everyone with the same brush its not fare ,just sayin not looking for an argument.

[ryyiann]

i got my emissions coming up in a few weeks

[xit]

We don't need no STINKING emission testing here! Seriously, here in Oklahoma there is no testing for emissions or anything else for that matter. You should see some of the wrecks that are driven on the highway, headlights, stop lights hanging out, cars with more than one temporary spare on, broken glasses, crazy. We did have inspections from the mid 60s till the 90s, then the state government just did away with them.

[Heavyopp]

Same thing going on here for me.
NJ state inspection center -- 1st test was 1800 PPM for HC passing limit 220 -- CO was also higher than the limit but not by much

I tuned the van up - Denso TT plugs - delphi wires - accel cap and rotor - air filter - PCV valve - oil change
Van runs awesome -- the cap I took off was all corroded on the ignition coil connection the rest looked OK.

2nd test 256 PPM HC Passing limit 220 --- CO was fine -- All this testing is at idle. High rev test was fine from the beginning

For my 3rd test this week I think I'm going get another PCV valve and hook it up to the vacuum line but not stick it in the valve cover. Just let it breathe fresh air.
I'll leave the PCV thats in there now in the valve cover to stop possible smoke and oil getting everywhere.

Here in NJ state testing is free. Well at least it doesn't cost any money at the inspection station -- just time -- usually 50 minutes of waiting and a 10 minute test.

[Lumpy]

In Arizona, they only test in the metro areas. You can go online and see real time video of the cars waiting in line and the estimated wait time.


Lump

[RECox286]

The truth be told:

In Joisey, the test is not free. The state requires an ANNUAL registration fee be paid, then the Smog test is administered by a

state facility, manned by a private contractor, EVERY OTHER year. You get a choice of using this state facility, for "free"

(part of the registration fee) or you can use a state licensed testing facility (basically a repair center) which will cost you

a fee, over and above registration, for them to do the testing. Either way, I see it as a rip off. And we have to pass

California Smog Standards.

I didn't chose to be born free ! Ha.

Uncle Bob

[TDMobile]

The truth be told:

In Joisey, the test is not free. The state requires an ANNUAL registration fee be paid, then the Smog test is administered by a

state facility, manned by a private contractor, EVERY OTHER year. You get a choice of using this state facility, for "free"

(part of the registration fee) or you can use a state licensed testing facility (basically a repair center) which will cost you

a fee, over and above registration, for them to do the testing. Either way, I see it as a rip off. And we have to pass

California Smog Standards.

I didn't chose to be born free ! Ha.

Uncle Bob

And don't go to the Deptford testing facility if it gets too close to 8:30AM, you won't get out until noon!!!