My 88 SE didn't pass emissions here in AZ. Failed in hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. The list of possible problems is quite extensive and I'm short on time with only enough cash to fix it right the first time. She's got almost 200k miles and I just had the oil cooler lines replaced. Anybody with similar problems and solutions?

 

Find somebody and pay then off is going to be the cheapest way. Probably burning oil and needs new cats

 

Do a full tune up. Check the filters air/fuel/oil. Check the cats to see if they are functioning correctly. Check sensors and and spark plugs. Also see if your emissions equipment is running good ie air pump etc.

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How can you tell if the cats operating properly?

 

Normal stuff first.
Air pump
Cat
spark plugs
Fuel Filter

Then maybe do the alcohol trick. 1 gallon denatured alcohol in tank with maybe 4 gallons gas.

or have a daily driver and get collector car insurance. My FC has been emissions exempt for over 4 years and the insurance is $17 a month for full coverage.

 

Pull out the cats and see they clogged. If your air pump isn't working properly, the your cats could possibly be shot.

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Assuming the car is in generally good shape, add denatured alcohol to the gas (@ 1:3/1:4 ratio) and retard the timing about 10 degrees.
Worked for me the last two times I was tested.

 

What does the alcohol trick do exactly?

 

It gets your car drunk enough to submit to a test.

 

Turns Head and Coughs

 

Thanks for the advice guys! Just to let you know what it looks like in terms of how bad it failed its:

HC limit 1.60 ( Mines is 4.73)
CO limit 15.00 ( Mines is 53.93)
NOX limit 2.50 (Mines is 2.86)

Based on the chart that Icemark posted I need new cats and o2 sensors. Should I go and get them if I plan on swapping out the engine for a s4 t2?

 

before you do any parts changing you should check the Air Control Valve, it directs the air from the air pump to where it needs to go, and when it isn't working emissions will be really high.

next thing to do is to check/replace the o2 sensor. the check is in the FSM, they have a special tool, but its just a light hooked up to the diagnostic port, and it should flash, meaning you're in closed loop.

i can usually get any old FC to pass California smog, by making sure these two things are working, even on cats that have seen (lots) of better days

 

I one year. Used a Vette Electric airpump and a new cat to pass emissions. Almost passed as zero emissions.

Hooked up air pump with a hose straight to the cat air inlet pipe. Had block off plates on engine itself.

The turbo motor may be harder to pass emissions. It may be worth just trying to pass with this engine and then get the 2 -5 year tags.