i own an 83 gsl and this month we started the smog testing. I just bought the car and painted it and now i cant drive it. I am failing the 15 mph hydrocarbon test.
I am at about 340-350. After the first fail i searched an old thread of mine and i had been told change oil and drive a little, thay said the old oil might be the problem. I failed worse the second time with fresh oil! I found a mechanic shop who said for between 90 and 140 dollars they will run a chemical through my car that will clean the carb and recondition the apex seals. They said if that doesn't drop it enough they will tune it while it is on the machine until it gets low enough to pass. Are these guys blowing smoke? What should i do? Im about broke and cannot get a job until my car is going!

 

I wasn't able to pass anything with my Camaro, I was offered a solution to the problem such as you have been, and I thought it was alittle to good to be true, so I ended up chasing ideas until I spent well over 1k and I still can't pass smog (the car is now not drivable), I know that RX-7s and camaros are differant, but if I were you, I would go for it, but I would ask alot of questions, and price check for the same solution elsewhere, tune ups I figure you can get everywhere (any shop) but if you are in a pinch (which you sound like you are) then I would seriously go for it, just make sure that they give you a guarentee (sp?) on it, and it should be good, Again, its just my two cents, but I know from experience that the best thing to do is ask questions, that and if you need to pass smog to register and such, you can get an extension on it so you can still drive it while working on it.

Just make sure they are a reputable place with alot of experience, or you can do like I do now, and just find a really bad smog busters and slip them 20 bucks extra to 'pass it'

I'm joking about the 20, I only got that special thing cause I used to go out with the owners daughter and their all friends with my grandfather (I don't get it anymore thanks to my loud mouth)

But seriously, 90-140 bucks isn't to bad of a set back when it comes to getting around (or getting a job)

Just make double sure that its a flat rate for the fix so you don't get stuck with hundreds of dollars worth of 'extra' work that wasn't needed.

Hope this helps, I have heard that rotary engines are hard to get to pass california smog, so if their willing to help, then its worth a try

-Karma

 

throw me a bone....someone.....PLS!!!!

 

wel i know it helps if u run the car nice and hard before you get it smog tested heat up teh cats and burn off old crap.

 

do you still have all the emissions equipment??

 

Hey

I was told on my 12 a to throw some carb cleaner in when I got down to a quarter tank......drive a few miles and then go right to the test center and let them test.......I passed no problem.....Good luck.......For the right amount of money their are people out here for 300.00 to 400.00 that will take care of you.......no need to spend 1000.00 bucks not to pass...........

 

I haven't had a problem with either car, and they're tough here. I expect that the regular use of MMO will improve my numbers. Just in case, I have a new Bonerz cat in the garage ready to install: i figure a new cat ought to cover most problems.

B

 

Years ago I had removed the air pump and rerouted many of the emission /vacuum lines for my turbo install. When it was required the car have an e-check in our county, state of Ohio I proudly received the worst test results ever recorded at the facility. I applied for collector plates at the OBMV got them they cost no more then regular plates and do to not require an emissions test as long as your car is listed as collectable, the rx-7 is listed as collectable in Ohio maybe in your state this might be a route you can pursue?

 

yea, i have heard the same sbout pouring some isopropanol (SP) into the gas but sorta wearing of posting it because ive never actually done it myself but apparently you pour in some then drive real hard for 10 mins or so then go straight to get tested..

 

you could always run the dry gas stuff that is really just ethinohl(sp?), they say 1 bottle to full tank I put to to a just less then full, man ran like a champ and didn't smell, but I don't have emissions up here.