Hi Everyone,

For the first time my 7 failed the emissions test here in Ontario Canada.

It has always passed with no where near the limits for HC, CO and NO.

Last time was April of 2005.

The HC was 191 with an allowable limit of 64 at 1982 RPM.
The HC well under allowable while at idle.

I have read the FAQ and it says that if the HC are high and the others are low then I need to " run in converter ", tune up and oil change.

Not sure what is meant by run in converter ? Does it mean replace converter.
If anyone has had a si,ilar problem please advise.
The idle is good at around 700 or so without the brakes on. It has new plugs recently as well as an oil change. The catalytic converter was new about 6 years ago when I replaced the engine with about 60 K kms on it or about 40 K miles.

Thanks for any help on this.
Paul

 

sounds like the cat to me.

 

Get yourself a Brank Spankin New Catalytic converter.give the engine a Tune up,and make sure the OMP isn't sticking open.Also take the car in to test after a Good Highway Run(about twenty minutes of good spirited driving).Just before you get there add a Gallon of methyl hydrate to the gas tank(which should have about two-three gallons in it)..do some start/ stops to mix in the tankThen go ahead and Get Tested,right away. ...you should pass with Flyin colors.NOTE:right after the test FILL UP with FUEL.the methyl hydrate trick is a good one but isn't 'exactly Friendly " ..so fill up and it will dillute the Mix you had during the test..Good Luck.

 

running in the converter means the cat is too cool, what i do when smogging rotaries is run the HELL out of them prior to pulling up to the smog station to heat the cat up nice and toasty then leave the engine running as much as possible prior to the test, rotaries need as much help as they can get from the catalyst during emissions testing so keeping it warm is the key.

if you shut your engine off for about 10 minutes prior to testing and the engine was merely idling then the cat has had plenty of time to cool off prior to the test and can fail for it.

if it still fails after fully warming the cat then it is likely the catalys material in the cat is on it's last legs and time for a new one, a tune up is also the key as well and making sure there is no vacuum leaks, spark plugs and new wires, timing is spot on, clean out the engine prior to replacing the cat by running a full can of carb cleaner through a vacuum port prior to the throttle body and also be sure your air pump is working properly.

good luck

 

Hi Guys thanks for your help on this. This Forum is great.

Paul

 

Hi Paul, remember me?

I had a similar experience with Maryland emissions last year. Despite new plugs, new plug wires, a new oxygen sensor, fresh oil, and running the car for a good 30 minutes before the test, I kept failing the HC part of the test by a fairly wide margin. I replaced my five year old Bonez cat with a brand new one from Random Technology (though another Bonez would have done the job too), and viola, I passed again with flying colors as in previous years. From what you've said, it isn't certain that you need a new cat, but you very well might.

Best of luck to you and your 7.

-Dave Deep

 

Ya, I think letting your car warm up a whole lot isn't going to make enough of a difference to lower your HC that much, the only thing to do is really just replace the cat. I heard of a similar problem where the guy also recently replaced his cat, but it had gone bad in that time and when he got a new one he passed with flying colors. At this point, you have nothing to lose.