Failed Emission Test, Again & Again
 

After replacing the EGR value, The PVC value, spark plugs and installing a new catalytic converter I still can not pass the emissions test in Oregon. The O2 sensor was replaced about 4 years ago (less then 5,000 miles ago). So now I’m thinking it’s either the turbo seals or the apex seals. Is there any way to test or check either to see which is bad and causing my FD to fail the emission test?

What numbers are you failing? NOx? HC?

Failed emissions test.
 

I'm in Missouri and I've lived in California before, both states have waivers to emissions. I would check with the emissions testing and specifically ask about a waiver. In California one had to spend $$$ based on the year of the car (the older the car the less $$$). In Missouri it's fixed at $450.00 in parts (they dont care about labor, and you can do it yourself). My car failed, I came up with receipts for coils, wires, plugs, O2 sensor (things I needed anyway) and was granted a waiver. BTW all my emissions crap was removed with the exception of a hi flow cat and I went in to testing with <1/8 tank of gas + 1 gal of ethanol (still failed!).

I had to get my newly purchased 94 through emissions to get it registered. The car only had 24k miles on it when I got and it ran great. I thought it would pass, no problem. First time, failed. Changed out O2 sensor, failed again. Changed out plugs and wires. Failed again. Took it too a dealer and they tested everything and nothing wrong. The dealer took it to a different emissions place and it passed with flying colors!!! The dealer did nothing to the car. I think the first place I took it too didn't know what kind of car it was and probably put in the wrong information into the computer and was testing the wrong engine. I'd take it to a different place and see what happens.

NOX is 3 something and HC is 4 something. I do not have the paper work with me.

Wish I could edit my last post. The numbers are totally wrong. My memory is not what it use to be.

I retested my car again and fail again. The HC is 914 at idle, 359 at 2450 rpm. The CO is 3.9296 at idle and 4.5073 at 2450 rpm. The print out I got does not say what the levels should be.

What else can I do lower these numbers?

hmm, lame that it didn't tell you what the acceptable levels are.

the rx7 has TWO cats, maybe you need to replace the other one as well.
do you have any mods?

The first cat was replaced with down pipe in 1998. I have pass DEQ here in Oregon 3 times with out it.

Does Oregon have a waiver program like Washington where they allow you to take your car to an "emissions certified" shop and if you spend at least $150 and still don't pass on your next test they will give you a waiver and allow you to register the car. But make sure it's an "emissions certified" shop cuz the shop I take my car to isn't, and showing the DOL my receipt for $800 some dollars did nothing for me....

I see you have no pre-cat.. Have you removed your air pump?

I do not know if Oregon has a waiver program. I will check.

I still have the air pump.

Hmm... I don't know what to tell you other than at least your numbers weren't as bad as mine. I was in the THOUSANDS withought airpump and pre-cat. WA shows you the limits and I wasn't even close.... I will look for the sheet later when I'm not at work. See how close you are to my standards. Shouldn't be much different for you.

i have full open exhaust, and i passed TX emissions.... then again ive got the hook up!

A likely culprit would be the ACV failing and not directing air to the cat.

Please list all of your mods.

Well that's fucking helpful.

See below for mods.

has anything changed since ur last smog?

No new mods. Only put 2000 miles on car since last smog check.

My bet is a bad airpump, or bad ACV as Rynberg suggested... with a new factory cat, you shouldn't have to do much else. Did you try some alcohol in the tank?

just put 2 gallons of denatured alcohol in 3 gallons of gas and you should be fine :)

Was your cat replacement actually a Mazda OEM cat? Our '94 FD failed miserably and I replaced the cat with a Bonez, and failed again. Went for a $1300 OEM cat and passed beautifully... 3 times now. Some cats do not have a proper way of injecting air from the pump into the cat; for example, the air might be injected into the cat housing in one place. The factory cat has internal piping that distributes the injected air like the gas pipes in a barbecue grill, so that O2 gets to as much of the catalyst as possible.

Who sells denatured alcohol? Auto parts stores, hardware stores or ??

should be able to buy at a local hardware store

I'm not familiar with the M2ECU. Is that any fuel adjustment to it? Can you lean it out a bit in the test range? On the other hand, if nothing has changed since you last passed, something isn't working right or the test station is off. You could always borrow someones Power FC and lean it out that way if you know someone nearby who has one? Sorry, not too helpful. . .

Check this out and see if it applies to you:

http://www.deq.state.or.us/AQ/vip/fo...pplication.pdf

Thanks for checking into that, but I do not qualify for low income. Maybe if I list my FD has a dependent.