Failed smog but made improvements and fixed my issues to pass legally
06-21-12, 11:25 AM
#1
Failed smog but made improvements and fixed my issues to pass legally
------------Please read on to how i fixed my 1986 gxl to pass california smog legally .At the end of this thread you will see the actual passing sheets.-----------------
Wacky/skank ho/Mel stay out of this!!! Lol
So I want to legally pass my fc because it's 100% stock. There's no need for a smog hook up. When I purchased the car it already had failed by previous owner. Upon looking at the HC it had to be fuel or catalytic converter.
Just by me installing new injectors, gaskets, vacuum lines, newer smog pump. It lowered the HC by a lot. But it still high. Seems like I need a newer/intact catalytic converter now.Y
If you have any ideas or suggestions please Lmk
Before
After the work idid
Wacky/skank ho/Mel stay out of this!!! Lol
So I want to legally pass my fc because it's 100% stock. There's no need for a smog hook up. When I purchased the car it already had failed by previous owner. Upon looking at the HC it had to be fuel or catalytic converter.
Just by me installing new injectors, gaskets, vacuum lines, newer smog pump. It lowered the HC by a lot. But it still high. Seems like I need a newer/intact catalytic converter now.Y
If you have any ideas or suggestions please Lmk
Before
After the work idid
Last edited by Alex Rodriguez; 07-14-12 at 03:08 AM.
06-21-12, 05:56 PM
#2
is this for the FC?
if so there is a variable resistor at the RF strut tower just by the pressure sensor, turn it counterclockwise until the engine starts to hunt at idle and turn it clockwise just a hair from that point. this is basically an idle mixture screw, counterclockwise is leaner and clockwise is richer.
if this is for the FD, hmm, you're screwed... add a little bottle of etha.... i didn't say it. try replacing the cat with a decent quality one, not one of those cheapo $100 specials.
also make sure the timing is correct(for FC, FD has no timing adustments), if it's off NoX and HC will climb. also make sure your TPS is calibrated properly.
if so there is a variable resistor at the RF strut tower just by the pressure sensor, turn it counterclockwise until the engine starts to hunt at idle and turn it clockwise just a hair from that point. this is basically an idle mixture screw, counterclockwise is leaner and clockwise is richer.
if this is for the FD, hmm, you're screwed... add a little bottle of etha.... i didn't say it. try replacing the cat with a decent quality one, not one of those cheapo $100 specials.
also make sure the timing is correct(for FC, FD has no timing adustments), if it's off NoX and HC will climb. also make sure your TPS is calibrated properly.
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; 06-21-12 at 05:59 PM.
06-21-12, 11:43 PM
#4
Karack it's for my FC
I didn't even think of the variable resistor! What I will do is swap out the main cat this weekend a fellow forum member has some. I will then lean it and add a bottle of you know what in the you know where.
I don't mind that it's a gross polluter it's my daily and it will remain stock. If I want to go fast that's what my FD is for and it's registered in Florida FOREVER FOOOOR EVERRRRRR!!!
That and the guy will **** his pants when he sees what I have. Gotta love Florida no smog.
I didn't even think of the variable resistor! What I will do is swap out the main cat this weekend a fellow forum member has some. I will then lean it and add a bottle of you know what in the you know where.
I don't mind that it's a gross polluter it's my daily and it will remain stock. If I want to go fast that's what my FD is for and it's registered in Florida FOREVER FOOOOR EVERRRRRR!!!
That and the guy will **** his pants when he sees what I have. Gotta love Florida no smog.
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06-22-12, 10:49 PM
#9
cheap and me dont go in the same sentence bro. For refrence check all my cars that i have built or currently my Fd.
Why run 89 or 91 when its not needed?
I am running 87 and have no problems or pinging/stumbles. The car idles great and runs superb. As i mentioned before its 100% stock it passed smog the last 25 years straight with no issues. If you havent read my new build page this vehicle was strictly maintained by original woman owner.
Why run 89 or 91 when its not needed?
I am running 87 and have no problems or pinging/stumbles. The car idles great and runs superb. As i mentioned before its 100% stock it passed smog the last 25 years straight with no issues. If you havent read my new build page this vehicle was strictly maintained by original woman owner.
06-23-12, 01:30 PM
#10
because someone doesn't want to pay $38 for some $5 stickers they are cheap?
ethanol content also varies depending on the grade, which is likely the small difference you are seeing. ethanol has a higher octane rating and causes less emissions because it produces 0 hydrocarbons, it also lowers NoX not raise them. you can add your own denatured alcohol(ethanol which has been toxified to be non potable for the alcoholics looking for a cheap fix, or also called moonshine in previous posts because it is subject to ATF control) and skew results but the engine will not be happy after you thin out the mix too much.
i had one car that was pegging the sniffer, with a 30% mix of ethanol it was bucking like a bronco but it was within limits.
E85 pumps are a convenient way of getting cheap ethanol, it's already mixed for you..
ethanol content also varies depending on the grade, which is likely the small difference you are seeing. ethanol has a higher octane rating and causes less emissions because it produces 0 hydrocarbons, it also lowers NoX not raise them. you can add your own denatured alcohol(ethanol which has been toxified to be non potable for the alcoholics looking for a cheap fix, or also called moonshine in previous posts because it is subject to ATF control) and skew results but the engine will not be happy after you thin out the mix too much.
i had one car that was pegging the sniffer, with a 30% mix of ethanol it was bucking like a bronco but it was within limits.
E85 pumps are a convenient way of getting cheap ethanol, it's already mixed for you..
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; 06-23-12 at 01:39 PM.
06-23-12, 05:06 PM
#11
I am going to pick up a good cat that is used for testing only.
Funny because the smog shop I went to the guy adjusted my idle and said to swap out the cat and come back it should pass then. I asked how was everything else and he said its very good.
What else should I do for tomorrows test
So I swap out the cats
adjust the fuel enrichment till it starts to stumble
get the cat as hot as possible before i enter smog
Funny because the smog shop I went to the guy adjusted my idle and said to swap out the cat and come back it should pass then. I asked how was everything else and he said its very good.
What else should I do for tomorrows test
So I swap out the cats
adjust the fuel enrichment till it starts to stumble
get the cat as hot as possible before i enter smog
06-23-12, 06:24 PM
#12
general maintenance never hurts. new plugs, fuel filter, wires, check timing and adjust TPS and lastly the variable resistor adjustment. i've had many a car come in running like complete garbage when after doing just a few of those it runs like normal again.
06-24-12, 02:15 PM
#14
A good smog shop will tell it's customers what is the issue instead of telling they failed and have a nice day.
If you are part of a smog shop that knows exactly what the main issue is and doesn't even give a courtesy then your shop is part of the crooked system that is already a crook.
So by him telling me to buy a new cat or find a better condition one that's illegal lol......
Last edited by Alex Rodriguez; 06-24-12 at 02:22 PM.
06-24-12, 07:56 PM
#15
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what i ment to say is you cant legally touch it with out the licence ive made that mistake n got in a lot of trouble, n sorry alex didnt mean to **** you off so easily, just sayin so nobody gets in to trouble cuz ive been ther e n done that, most shops just shotgun it n through parts at it until the problems is masked, cats dont go bad unless the motor is runnin dirty, very rarely do they fail by themselves, its usually a domino effect created a problem concieved in the engine
06-25-12, 12:41 AM
#16
Its all good bro no worries just felt that way because there was nothing helpful coming from you. I really dont mind the input but for sole purpose of helping a future member out when they search for their smog issue instead they get a thread full of drama and pointless posts.
First of all not all vehicles have a PCV, the "PCV" (positive crankcase valve). The FC3S does not have a PCV system per se, but it does use a "purge valve" to recirculate vapors from the oil pan back into the engine to be burned.
Plugs are brand new all basic tune up essentials were done, plugs, wires, filter, gaskets, redid silicone vacuum hoses, BRAND NEW EGR,newer smog pump.
Update the CAT the car had was a replcment the previous owner had a local muffler shop do but where the problem was is there is one pre cat and its not RX7 part. The cat is not Rx7 related either.
No worries I installed Jons fresh set of Cat and pre cats along with the air pipe. Tomorrow I will see if she passes.
Plugs are brand new all basic tune up essentials were done, plugs, wires, filter, gaskets, redid silicone vacuum hoses, BRAND NEW EGR,newer smog pump.
Update the CAT the car had was a replcment the previous owner had a local muffler shop do but where the problem was is there is one pre cat and its not RX7 part. The cat is not Rx7 related either.
No worries I installed Jons fresh set of Cat and pre cats along with the air pipe. Tomorrow I will see if she passes.
Last edited by Alex Rodriguez; 06-25-12 at 12:49 AM.
06-27-12, 11:46 PM
#19
alcohol displaces fuel, the more the better for smog testing purposes but eventually the car will run so lean that it will fail to run at idle.
i've run higher than 20% mix and pulled out more than 2000HC from emissions before. started with a 10% mix, brought it down to about 600hc from about 2300. 20% mix brought it down to about 300, 30% down to under 200 but the car was definitely hating life and wanted to stall below 1k RPMs.
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; 06-27-12 at 11:49 PM.
06-28-12, 03:48 PM
#20
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i've run higher than 20% mix and pulled out more than 2000HC from emissions before. started with a 10% mix, brought it down to about 600hc from about 2300. 20% mix brought it down to about 300, 30% down to under 200 but the car was definitely hating life and wanted to stall below 1k RPMs.
06-28-12, 06:45 PM
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didnt notice it b4 but its wierd how the co went up from previos tests at idle, and the o2 flucuated, mayb funkjaw's rite n the smog pump might be the culprit if its used?
