Failed CA smog 2x - would denatured alcohol help me?
#1
Failed CA smog 2x - would denatured alcohol help me?
So I have failed CA smog twice now where before I would pass with flying colors with the same mods.
I actually took most of my mods off just to pass and have just on this stuff:
HKS downpipe
Apex catback (not that it matters)
Stock airbox
Stock main cat
Stock ECU
I just installed new plugs, new wires, new O2 sensor, and changed oil but still failed the second time.
Here are the values:
15 mph:
HC: Max - 61, Meas - 240
CO%: Max 0.36, Meas 0.45
25 mph:
HC: Max - 493, Meas - 98
CO%: Max - 516, Meas - 167
And I got these values after driving on the freeway for an hour. I'm thinking I have a vacuum leak somewhere that I can't pinpoint. I've tried the carb cleaner spray trick with nothing found. The car has only ~68,500 miles on it and has passed before with no problem.
Should I just resort to the denatured alcohol trick to get past this hurdle?
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
I actually took most of my mods off just to pass and have just on this stuff:
HKS downpipe
Apex catback (not that it matters)
Stock airbox
Stock main cat
Stock ECU
I just installed new plugs, new wires, new O2 sensor, and changed oil but still failed the second time.
Here are the values:
15 mph:
HC: Max - 61, Meas - 240
CO%: Max 0.36, Meas 0.45
25 mph:
HC: Max - 493, Meas - 98
CO%: Max - 516, Meas - 167
And I got these values after driving on the freeway for an hour. I'm thinking I have a vacuum leak somewhere that I can't pinpoint. I've tried the carb cleaner spray trick with nothing found. The car has only ~68,500 miles on it and has passed before with no problem.
Should I just resort to the denatured alcohol trick to get past this hurdle?
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
#3
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (1)
denatured alcohol is isopropyl alcohol which has a lot of water. Try methanol. Ask the test station to do a training run so you're not labeled as a gross polluter.
So I have failed CA smog twice now where before I would pass with flying colors with the same mods.
I actually took most of my mods off just to pass and have just on this stuff:
HKS downpipe
Apex catback (not that it matters)
Stock airbox
Stock main cat
Stock ECU
I just installed new plugs, new wires, new O2 sensor, and changed oil but still failed the second time.
Here are the values:
15 mph:
HC: Max - 61, Meas - 240
CO%: Max 0.36, Meas 0.45
25 mph:
HC: Max - 493, Meas - 98
CO%: Max - 516, Meas - 167
And I got these values after driving on the freeway for an hour. I'm thinking I have a vacuum leak somewhere that I can't pinpoint. I've tried the carb cleaner spray trick with nothing found. The car has only ~68,500 miles on it and has passed before with no problem.
Should I just resort to the denatured alcohol trick to get past this hurdle?
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
I actually took most of my mods off just to pass and have just on this stuff:
HKS downpipe
Apex catback (not that it matters)
Stock airbox
Stock main cat
Stock ECU
I just installed new plugs, new wires, new O2 sensor, and changed oil but still failed the second time.
Here are the values:
15 mph:
HC: Max - 61, Meas - 240
CO%: Max 0.36, Meas 0.45
25 mph:
HC: Max - 493, Meas - 98
CO%: Max - 516, Meas - 167
And I got these values after driving on the freeway for an hour. I'm thinking I have a vacuum leak somewhere that I can't pinpoint. I've tried the carb cleaner spray trick with nothing found. The car has only ~68,500 miles on it and has passed before with no problem.
Should I just resort to the denatured alcohol trick to get past this hurdle?
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
#4
As for denatured alcohol vs methanol, what is the ratio for methanol and where is it available for purchase?
Thanks everyone.
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#9
15 MPH:
RPM measure: 1720
%CO2 measure: 14.1
%O2 measure: 0.7
HC (PPM)
Max: 61
Meas: 240
CO (%)
Max: 0.36
Meas: 0.45
NO (PPM)
Max: 493
Meas: 98
25 MPH:
RPM Meas: 2761
%CO2 Meas: 14.1
%O2 Meas: 1.0
HC (PPM)
Max: 37
Meas: 33
CO (%)
Max: 0.35
Meas: 0.02
NO (PPM)
Max: 516
Meas: 167
It's the 15mph part where I fail.
#10
Recovering Miataholic
Hm, odd results. Our '94 FD's 2010 CA smog test result is here; perhaps your coolant temperature sensor is open or at least out of spec, which would cause rich running at fully warm engine temperature. Have you pulled PCME fault codes to see if you have any stored faults? A coolant temperature sensor fault would be #9.
BTW, it's also odd that the MAX values for HC and CO are different between my 2010 test (Orange County) and your test (San Diego County).
BTW, it's also odd that the MAX values for HC and CO are different between my 2010 test (Orange County) and your test (San Diego County).
#11
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (43)
Drop the HKS downpipe and put stock precat back . Also possible that your old cat is gone. weld in new 200 dollar aftermarket one and drive 20 miles before test. Do not shut car off and let them test. But since you are to the third test ask for training run so you're not labeled as a gross polluterthe Like pomanferrari Said.
#12
Hm, odd results. Our '94 FD's 2010 CA smog test result is here; perhaps your coolant temperature sensor is open or at least out of spec, which would cause rich running at fully warm engine temperature. Have you pulled PCME fault codes to see if you have any stored faults? A coolant temperature sensor fault would be #9.
BTW, it's also odd that the MAX values for HC and CO are different between my 2010 test (Orange County) and your test (San Diego County).
BTW, it's also odd that the MAX values for HC and CO are different between my 2010 test (Orange County) and your test (San Diego County).
I find it hard to believe that I'm failing because of the DP, since I've passed with it on before, but maybe I might have to get a precat and throw it on. Too bad I got rid of the one I had.
#13
OK, so I pulled the PCME fault codes today and the only code it threw was a #38 to me (unless I'm mistaken and it's actually a #28), which is just the accelerated warmup system. I'd expect that since I blocked that off and disconnected the wire for it on the UIM.
So any other ideas, folks?
So any other ideas, folks?
#16
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (24)
My question is, how old is your cat? I am sure if your cat is running correctly (the hotter the cat, the better it is at burning off excessive HC and COs.)
I guess is that your cat is starting to turn bad but would be ok at higher rpm/higher heat range.
IF you can lean it out more at lower rpm for the 15mph test you should be able to pass the test. BUT if it doesnt work, I suggest a new cat.
-AzEKnightz
#17
Recovering Miataholic
When you say coolant temperature sensor, are you talking about what the FSM calls the water thermosensor?
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