2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

CA smog fail high nitrous oxide

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2015 | 09:38 PM
  #1  
FC3S Timmy's Avatar
Thread Starter
ReTripleOG
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
CA smog fail high nitrous oxide

Just did smog on my 88 NA every test is good besides the NO (PPM) at 15mph MAX:565 MEASURED:812. At 25 mph it passed but barely MAX:522 MEASURED:496. Any clues what is wrong here? I do smell lots of fuel maybe my injectors are the problem . I'd rather do it myself than to take it to a shop.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:36 AM
  #2  
GrossPolluter's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 2
From: CA
Was your cat hot? Ignition timing to spec?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:37 AM
  #3  
Hecubus84's Avatar
Informed Appreciation
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 4
From: Detroit Jr.
High Nox (oxides of nitrogen) emissions are usually indicative of a malfunctioning egr system, I'd probably start troubleshooting there.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 09:54 AM
  #4  
RXSpeed16's Avatar
Theoretical Tinkerer
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 49
From: Norcal/Bay Area, CA
Rotaries are naturally quite low on Nox. The EGR was not really necessary and even removed on the S5 FC.

I have failed for high Nox due to a vacuum leak. It was because one small vac hose was not connected.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 10:01 AM
  #5  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,833
Likes: 3,232
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
i had one that failed Nox due to a bad 02 sensor. there is a test port, and you can plug an LED into it, and watch the o2 cycle, or not in my case. new 02, and car passed easily

nox's started @800, retarding timing 10 degrees (back to stock) took 150 nox's off. then the o2 sensor took another 500 off or something
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 10:38 AM
  #6  
jjwalker's Avatar
MECP Certified Installer
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Mesquite, TX-DFW
NOx in our cars is caused by running very lean or having excessive timing advance. You are a thousand times more likely to fail due to HC than NOx.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 01:30 PM
  #7  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,833
Likes: 3,232
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by jjwalker
NOx in our cars is caused by running very lean or having excessive timing advance. You are a thousand times more likely to fail due to HC than NOx.
i've smogged something like 100 rotaries at this point, and only failed Nox once, because it was lean. timing does effect nox too, but its fairly minor
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2015 | 02:48 PM
  #8  
DR_Knight's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 161
From: san diego
Vacuum test acv. Diaphragm probably failed. Able to shim the acv to always be open. Search.

Vacuum leak possible
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2015 | 08:43 PM
  #9  
LargeOrangeFont's Avatar
Fistful of steel
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 27
From: OC, So Cal
Clearly your intake manifold has failed.

Reply
Old Mar 4, 2015 | 08:41 PM
  #10  
red1990rx7's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ontario ca. 91761
Im having same problem, 1st, engine light didnt work on the idiotlight, so i used one next to it that worked.......then they did the actual text and failed horribly, they told me i needed new converter and they needed to see the eo number on it......
ok went out and had a new converter put in
back to smog...did the test and failed again---this time they are telling me its running too lean, and i might need to get an o2 sensor, or check my fuel filter......
I have a 1990 rx7 n/a
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 11:24 AM
  #11  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,833
Likes: 3,232
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by red1990rx7
Im having same problem, 1st, engine light didnt work on the idiotlight, so i used one next to it that worked.......then they did the actual text and failed horribly, they told me i needed new converter and they needed to see the eo number on it......
ok went out and had a new converter put in
back to smog...did the test and failed again---this time they are telling me its running too lean, and i might need to get an o2 sensor, or check my fuel filter......
I have a 1990 rx7 n/a
i would check to make sure the Air Control Valve (ACV) is working, it is more important to emissions than just about anything else
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 11:36 AM
  #12  
jjwalker's Avatar
MECP Certified Installer
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Mesquite, TX-DFW
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
i would check to make sure the Air Control Valve (ACV) is working, it is more important to emissions than just about anything else
I agree with this.

A bad o2 would make you run richer, not leaner.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 11:42 AM
  #13  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,833
Likes: 3,232
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by jjwalker
I agree with this.

A bad o2 would make you run richer, not leaner.
i had one with a bad O2, and it ran lean and failed NOX. although i think rich is more common. there is a test port you can plug an LED into and watch the o2 cycle
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 12:01 PM
  #14  
spectre6000's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
For what it's worth, increased NOx emissions is the result of combustion chamber temperatures being too high. Aim your diagnostics/repairs in the direction of reducing combustion temps, and you'll be headed in the right direction.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RedBaronII
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
4
Sep 20, 2015 11:29 AM
Erosangel
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
5
Sep 18, 2015 04:06 PM
JP's 93 fd
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
5
Sep 16, 2015 01:12 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:18 AM.