I've been waiting for my emissions test this year before I ripped out all of the smog parts and put on the T04S that's waiting in my basement.

After hearing about the "magical" effects of alcohol I decided to just throw some in (not much), put the stock 02 sensor back in and run down to the VEIP. Wham. Failed on HC (1.92 out of 1.1) and CO (23.0 out of 20.0) but at least they give you a little plot of how bad you did. Most of the ugliness really came from the far end of the test when the guy ran 3rd gear up to 55 mph. What a Jackass.


After installing a fresh set of stock plugs, cleaning the air filters, changing the oil and adding a gallon of alcohol to 1/4 tank of gas, I headed back. Closed loop is working and I turned the boost down as far as it would go. Car's good and hot.

I even ask the guy this time, "This car should pass fine if you could just try to stay out of the boost."

Mr. Jackass assures me, "I can only do what the computer tells me".

At this point I know I'm going to fail again. Right off the bat he spools the turbos up. I watch him snag second on the dyno and proceed to not shift where the computer tells him to. When the test is over, I ask him why he didn't shift at the lines on the screen.

"Yeah, dose are where we supposed'a shift but.. well.. we don really have to."

This guy thinks it's okay to boost 3rd gear up to speed too, and that doesn't have an effect on my emissions. So much for closed loop. GRRRRRRRRRRR.



What to do next? Cram in even more alcohol? It (and new plugs) did seem to help. Maybe I'll go fill up with E85. I 'm also thinking about popping off one of my intercooler hoses so there's no boost at all. Anyone got any bright ideas? Do I have the right to drive my own car so these jackasses with the lead foot don't make my tests look bad?

Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm?




Here's the first report:

 

Second Try:

 

Take the test at the Glen Burnie shop.
You'll have better luck passing there
since they see more performance cars.

 

Go to a DEFFERENT shop - An FD will NOT pass under boost no matter how much alcohol you run in it.

 

I'm from MD and went to the VEIP up near Bel Air - they ran mine on a restricted test cause they were afraid if they gave it some gas that it would bog and rub the rollers... go to a different station, and yeah pull off one of your hoses to the intercooler or from the y-pipe to the crossover pipe so you don't get any positive pressure... good luck

 

Not to be a smart ***, but why the hell would you go back to the SAME smog station with the SAME jackass working there? Go somewhere else. You'll pass just fine, you shouldn't need alcohol if you have your emissions equipment hooked up and your main cat is good and hot.

 

The alcohol has it's greatest positive impact on CO levels.

I believe your HC readings will go down if the cat and engine are very hot when testing. You said the car was already warm, so maybe there's no more you can do there.

Keeping the car in closed loop is good as you said... driving with a very steady foot is the key to passing. Sudden on/off throttle also messes you up. When I got my single turbo through, I rode IN the car with him (I think you did this too) and I said to him something like, "I really hope the car passes... I think if you could try to keep the boost below 0 *point to gauge* it will do better". Just act real nice about it. My guy drove the car perfectly and I passed easily.

I took my car to the station on Rockville Pike, which one did you go to?

Brian

 

Man that sucks!! I passed CA emissions today finally after 4 tries The first 2 times I was off by a lot and It turned out to be that my plug wires weren't seated on right (none of them). I paid to get my plugs changed and it turned out they tought that they were on but they weren't seated on the metal part at all. I was pissed, then my first test today passed with my CO level was at like .o2, I was so happy then my freakin gas cap didn't pass and the guy said he smelled gas but he would let me slide if I got the gas cap. So I buy a gas cap and I passed but I had to drop an extra $35 on another test, but I'm just happy I passed.
Best of luck with your next newbernd 'cuse it's frustrating when you don't pass.

 

I'm okay with you being a smartass. Better than being a dumb-***.

I went back to the same facility, but it's not like it was the same tech or anything. All I need is a good driver behind the wheel. They've got 6 bays and who knows how many shifts. I thought my odds were reasonable.

 

Hey Brian.. No, I didn't ride with the guy but I basically stood behind the car when he drove it. Actually, I opened with just about the same line as you when I pointed to my boost gauge, in a non-threatening, almost pleading tone and asked for no boost.

This was the Silver Spring testing station on Rt. 29. I took it there first because 2 years ago the couple of numb-nutz techs just let me idle-test. (Dunno why.. but I wasn't going to complain.) I'll take it up to Rockville tomorrow and see how it does. With the number of Ferrari's I see running around that area, maybe they're got a better breed of drivers up there. And I'll run the **** out of it first and get that cat glowing.

..Dave

 

Wow, that sucks. Your requirements are even more strict than they used to be here. However, Kentucky no longer has emissions

 

I'm pretty sure northern kentucky still has emissions.

 

Emissions ... Texas ... what?

 

<sigh or relief>

So this morning I dumped in the rest of a can of alcohol for good measure, dropped the boost, enabled O2 feedback, and pulled out about 7-8% of fuel from 3000-5000 rpm.

And this afternoon I took it to the VEIP that Wargasm suggested.. it's pretty well hidden. I got in the 4-wheel dyno lane, expecting the guy that works that one to be able to handle a car better. He was terribly polite, and I ask him to just go gentle on the gas and keep the boost down.

Before you know it the computer screen says FAST PASS.

Excellent.

HC = 0.0832 out of 1.100
CO = 0.5066 out of 20.000
NOx = 0.0491 out of 2.3000

The State of MD can kiss my *** for another 2 years.

 

They won't after november, I've already had to vet test for the last time.

 

If that's the case I'm a very happy man!

Steve

 

NICE... Fast Pass is the KEY. The reason is that they barely give it any gas during the "fast pass"-able portion of the test! So you basically get to pass without REALLY doing the whole test. It's the middle and end of the test where most RX-7s get screwed on emissions levels... fast pass rocks!

B

 

I agree 100%. I should of just leaned the hell out of it before, and shot for the fast pass. But the agreeable guy in the drivers seat really helped out a lot.

I think I'll write a letter to the state of MD, and to the manager of the Rt29 station about the tards who wasted my time the first two attempts.

 

NewburnD,

congrats. What alcohol did you run? going to bring a can or two with me when I head over. And um.. how much in the tank?
thanks

 

Kyle@insight: where did you get the info about nky emissions going away? It seems odd they would stop emissions check after building check stations only a few years ago. I hope it's true what a PITA.

 

I probably should have been more specific, I KNOW louisville is geting rid of emissions. As far as other parts of the state, I don't know

 

i'm in md and i got to the one i belair or in the city. i dont get out of the car.

i do the test my self. **** getting out

now my car is low i just go around on the side and idle for 5 mins.