Emissions Failed in IL
 

I just had my '93 emissions tested for the first time and failed. It is stock except for a downpipe. The results were Hydrocarbons: 1.45GPM and Carbon Monoxide: 19.8 GPM. One thing that may have influenced the results is the fact that they make you shut the car down while they check the gas cap for leakage, and lately I have been having warm start problems and as a result I flodded it a little. But he did do a dry run on the dyno looking thing before starting the test (I asked him to because of unburnt fuel from the flooding). Anyway, I did a search and a couple of the recommendations that stood out were putting fresh leading plugs in and adding 1 gallon of denatured alcohol to 1/2 tank of gas. Does anyone know if the alcahol is safe to use, or if it might cause damage? I would also appreciate any suggestions or success stores of how to make the thing pass emissions.

I passed with downpipe and intake on an engine with 71k miles on it. I made sure the cat was plenty hot with a few highway runs before I went, and then when I was waiting in line to get the emissions done, I sat there revving the engine, everyone looked at me funny but fuck them, I passed :)

If you still have the precat, you could put it back on. If the down pipe hasn't been on that long, it shouldn't be that difficult.

I do have it and could put it back on, It is my understanding that the pre-cat only effects emissions when the engine is cold and shouldn't have any effect. But it might be worth a try, I put lots of anti-seize on the studs.

My son and I had the same problem in IL. We got my sons 2nd gen to pass with 4 bottles of alchol to about 1/4 tank. Still working on the 3rd gen. It failed because the turbos were leaking oil into the exhaust. I still dont think it will pass. They want it to be cleaner than it was designed to be. I have enough in repairs to get a waiver so Im not worried for this time but next time I am going to disable the boost. Every time they get into the throttle the emmissions spike.

If you have the time and money take your car to SAM PARCHEM at PUGGI IMPORTS in Downers Grove (formerly Downers Grove Imports). I have a modded fd minus the pre-cat, and all of the Peter Farrell mods including the purple computer. I failed twice last year and once this year (once you fail once you will have to return the next year instead of every two). Sam knows what he is doing and will get your car to pass, one big problem is that most testers don't know how to conduct the test on turbocharged cars. The car does not have to be in boost in order to reach the speeds needed for the test. Each time I was tested (failed tests) my turbos could be heard spooling up like crazy. I leave my car with Sam and THEY take it to the testing station in Villa Park these guys know how to properly test turbocharged and other high performance vehicles.

Thanks for the info bbeavers, If I fail the second time I will probably try that. I'm still wondering if anyone has heard of any negative effects of using the alcohol. It sounds like it's worth a try but I don't want to hurt anything.

The alcohol will wash the oil off the seals and stuff. We put in in a couple of blocks away then filled the tank immediately after the test. Also I am told to change the oil before the test.

Join the club... I failed today in Cali. With just dp, cb, walbro fuel pump and bnr stage 1 turbos. Where can I get denatured alcohol?

Satman - did you pass with the acohol in the tank?

777rx777 - You can buy denatured alcohol at your local hardware store. It should be in the solvent area with the turpentine and things like that.