1988 Mazda RX7 - smog test
 

My question is: Do you think my RX7 could pass emissions? I am a little worried about getting it tested.
The odometer currently reads 139,143 miles. The engine has 50,000 less miles than the car does. The engine was replaced under warranty by the original owner.
I replaced the clutch/transmission about four years ago. It has brand new tires with less than 5,000 on them. Replacements within the last two years include: a new alternator, new ignition, new exhaust (but the catalytic converter was not replaced), new radiator, and new hoses.

It is leaking a little bit of oil, but isn't that bad.
Some pictures of it:
http://img685.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=99997875.jpg

It runs very well. I did have to put a switch on the side of the steering column in order to limit the flooding. The car would only start once every 4-6 hours after running. So, I had a friend that installed a kill switch for the fuel pump and it starts every time now. If I flood it/have to use the switch, it does smoke a bit on startup. Anyway, do older RX7s typically fail the emission testing?

If the emissions systems are in good working condition, there's no reason to think the car will have a problem passing. My old 180k mile NA engine would pass the CA smog test just fine. Inspect the emissions equipment (air pump, ACV, split air pipe, main cat), and then go give it a shot.

I also had to edit your post a little. Classified ads go in the classified section of the forum only. You'll need to get some more posts to access that section.

Mine passed with flying clolors, just make sure everything is hooked up! Air Injection!

The Second gen 1988 N/A I had was not even close to passing here in WA, which is why I switched to an 1985 (pre smog here). The guy I got it from had your exact same flooding issue and the switches hooked up like that. When I took it for testing it failed by 1500%!

I am not sure what the emissions testing is like in Denver they did not really test for that kind of thing when I lived there but I did notice you can get a waiver just like WA but it costs $715 in repairs before they will give it to you on your car. I would try and get a hardship waiver if it does not pass.

I wish you the best of luck but looking at the Denver emissions site it does not sound good to me as far as passing.

~Spike~

smoggy...
 

I am also curious why mine won't pass (Ont. Canada) Stringent etests here and I think that this car has a rich fuel mixture- hard to start when cold and lotsa unspent gases trying to start it; nobody in this area has a solution so I am ready to bring car to Toronto where there are more rotorheads- a V6 chevy motor waits in corner of garage if I cannot get this thing to spin properly.

Important tips!
 

1) Your engine must have all of the pieces it's supposed to have. If it doesn't pass the physical inspection, you fail. Also, buy a new gas cap, the last three smogs, all said I needed a new cap so just buy one at a local parts place that's cheaper than from the smog place.

2) Ignition timing has to be right on. They will not adjust it for you, they just fail you.

3) Are you sure your cats are still in one piece? It's been a while since I've owned a 2nd gen but doesn't the exhaust split after the cat for dual exhaust? Check this cat to see if it's in good shape. I can't remember if 2nd gens have the two pre-cats, I hope for your sake no because they always seem to self destruct.

4) Warm up the car, run it through the gears and bring it up to operating temp for at least 15 minutes. Don't let the shop let your car sit for any length of time, you want the cats lit off. Oh yeah, I hope you have the correct thermostat.

5) Again, I can't remember but does the 2nd gen have a check engine light? If it's lit, it won't pass smog and no, removing the bulb won't help either since all the lights come on in the ignition on position before you start it. Find out why the light is on and fix it.
Good luck.
ETA to correct a Homonym error because I'm a moron.

Did You guys know that CA board changed MAX HC from121/96 to 85/67!!! What CARB is doing to our cars?? I just failed new rebuild engine test at 92/69!!! All other parameters are fine. Does anybody know if there is any organized attempt to address this to Sacramento? I have verified that new values are as quoted.

Just make sure you have a good running idle and decent cats.

My problems are solved- rotor motor gone and I'm done with it- even though I DO know how it works and could fix it, but that motor and trans are gone YEA! and the V6 Chevy will do the job better than the original - bash me all you want and reprimand me in whatever fashion that you feel will make you feel like the school principal- I don't care, I've had enough nonsense on this web site.

Can we consider this a Divorce then?
you never did contribute to the "marriage" anyways,and all you ever did was whine!
Let's call it irreconcilable differences..LOL!

Well if your going to travel on the other side of the tracks... at least do it right... v6... pft.... push through with the ls1 t56 swap.

350hp and 21+ mpg..... cant go wrong with a matchboxed sized car.

The V6 was virtually free with all machine work and new components installed- guy just lost interest in project and handed it all over to me- all I needed was a good recipient to install it into, hence the RX7- no need to try and make me as a traitor, at least I used some quality parts from Mazda, and the parts I don't need are available, so keep that in mind.

"Never let anything mechanical know you're in a hurry."

Well I'm in Ohio and my 1988 TII passed with no problem. I don't know if i was just lucky, but I've been told that it's very rare that rx7's will pass emissions.

Good thing you're not in Ontario- you will need to put tin foil on your head and drive the car in 1st gear for an hour in Toronto morning traffic to get it hot enough to bake bread, then add 2 gallons of methyl hydrate to the tank.