Arrrggghhhhh!!!!

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Brentbba

Brentbba

Former Golfer
10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Threads
448
Messages
11,074
Location
OC, CA
Just failed smog MISERABLY! CO% not even close and HC wasn't any better. Gross Polluter big time.
 
raYGunn said:
Doh! What do you even do when that happens? I know the incorrect response is buy an FJC. :p
Click to expand...

Two thoughts come immediately to mind. One - bad O2 sensor or two, when Jay adjusted the VAF it's now too rich. This isn't on Yotamaster at all. Jay recognized it was running lean when he noticed the VAF had been tampered with by the HG guys. It had been misfiring on a too lean mixture. Who the 'F' knows. Still can't figure why HG folks would have gotten into the VAF to begin with. There's got to be a fine line on the VAF somewhere and it shouldn't have been messed with in the first place. Certainly don't want to have to replace that thing - it's about $700. Shoot - O2 sensors are up over $200 each now.
 
Last edited:
Bummer

I am not sure if this is true for late model 80's but one guy in our local club got a gross polluter stigma on an 1979 FJ40 and now has to resmog each year. Hope thats not the case for you.

I was stressed it would happen on mine to the point that I replaced both O2 sensors, modulator and all vacuum lines prior to my last smog. I was getting a 401 code and everyone said a 401 code could be driven on for years and pass smog if it was cleared prior to the smog check. Cleared the code and smogged OK. Smog station said they would automatically fail with a code showing on the system

You should have a code if the O2 are bad I would think.
 
landcruising said:
I am not sure if this is true for late model 80's but one guy in our local club got a gross polluter stigma on an 1979 FJ40 and now has to resmog each year. Hope thats not the case for you.

I was stressed it would happen on mine to the point that I replaced both O2 sensors, modulator and all vacuum lines prior to my last smog. I was getting a 401 code and everyone said a 401 code could be driven on for years and pass smog if it was cleared prior to the smog check. Cleared the code and smogged OK. Smog station said they would automatically fail with a code showing on the system

You should have a code if the O2 are bad I would think.
Click to expand...

I failed smog once years ago and labeled as a gross polluter ever since - I have to go to a smog test only station every other year. Not allowed to go to any station. I suppose that's for our own protection since a test only station can't do repairs or legally even recommend places for repair.

I think it's probably because the original HG folks f'ed up the VAF, but it could be the O2's w/o a code. There's only so much Jay can do with a VAF that's already been tampered with.

First fail was due to something severing the inboard wiring harness at the O2 sensor - no code at all. My truck loves to eat O2's about every 30K as it is. Inboard is new last fall, but in think the other one is aging up there, but still need to check. Gotta wonder for the time the engine ran near red line when the HG blew if the sensors were toasted. It's possible.

Looking for an unmolested VAF. Will probably replace both O2's also. Will also check with CDAN about the cost of the PCV and EGR valves an all the associated vacuum system hoses except the big intake tube since the one I have is less than 2 years old.

I need a f'king new gas cap too! Leakdown test on the fuel system passed, but the damn cap did not. Gotta love the Republik of Kalifornia.
 
SOCALFJ said:
That's crazy, because i've passed smog in my 80 with the CEL ON!
Click to expand...

Well, I'm 8 times over the CO% limit.

Looking for a used VAF. They are $700 new. Don't know whether to seek some compensation from the HG shop that opened mine up to begin with or not.

Going to inspect the O2 harnesses when I get home to see if they are ok.
 
Gotta call Eric back today. Spoke to him before Jay got in yesterday morning. He was going to call around to see if he could find an unmolested air flow meter to try. I'm looking for trucks here on Mud being parted out.

Looked way back in my receipts - went back to '07 and didn't see the #1 O2 sensor in that time frame. #2 was replaced last fall and before that back in '08. #2 seems to be a problem child.

Going to ask Eric/Jay whether it's worth changing the EGR and PCV valves - don't think either is real expensive.

Online price from a Yota dealer site listes the air flow meter around $700 new :eek::eek::eek: . Last O2 sensor I purchased from Dan was $200 and they are up a little from there. Really don't want to drop $400+ on two new ones there either, but that's what it usually is knownig the history of my truck. I resigned myself to replacing both of them every 25-30,000 miles years ago as routine maintenance and have to wonder if I fried them (even the new one from last fall) when the engine almost overheated when the HG went.

Mechanic at the smog place had a questioning look on his face when he hooked up a pressure gauge to the EGR also but didn't say anything. Wonder if it's shot. I don't think it's ever been replaced. I know the PCV valve has been.

We can certainly try tweaking the VAF back a little, but Eric did say Jay usually would just have tweaked it one click, so we'll see. While I was going thru my receipts I ran accross the last two smog test results and the CO% was .04 2 years ago and .01 4 years ago. It was 8.22 Saturday. Something is just WAY wrong.

Sorry, rambling here...back to being frustrated.
 
Jay came thru again. Drove out after my cardiologist appt this afternoon. God I'm glad I don't have to drive the 91 regularly!

Popped the cover off the VAF and found that the arm regulating the air flow was loose to the point of, you got it, letting in way too much air. Jay fixed it right up and readjusted the spring that holds everything in place. He spent the time to show me how to adjust it a little more rich or lean depending on idle or smog results.

Got out of there about 4 and knew if I took the toll road I could get back to Aliso Smog for a quick sniff test. I've been going to this smog only station for years and they offered to check it gratis before an actual retest to see if it'd pass.

It PASSED as clean as it did two years ago. Jay just nailed the adjustment. The courtsey to explain the working and adjustment of the meter if necessary was just over the top great customer service. :cheers:

Almost too bad - mudder in WA is parting out a '93 and offered his whole unmolested unit for $90 shipped! Tempted to pick it up as a spare.

Let's all hope this is the end of a long stressfull 4 month saga that started in Norcal with the blown HG. My blood pressure was thru the roof this afternoon at 160\90 to the point that the cardiologist upped my BP meds! Good news was that the betablockers are doing wonders. Resting heart rate of 48!!

Hopefully both my heart and the trucks are back in good working order for good!
 
Brentbba said:
Two thoughts come immediately to mind. One - bad O2 sensor or two, when Jay adjusted the VAF it's now too rich. This isn't on Yotamaster at all. Jay recognized it was running lean when he noticed the VAF had been tampered with by the HG guys. It had been misfiring on a too lean mixture. Who the 'F' knows. Still can't figure why HG folks would have gotten into the VAF to begin with. There's got to be a fine line on the VAF somewhere and it shouldn't have been messed with in the first place. Certainly don't want to have to replace that thing - it's about $700. Shoot - O2 sensors are up over $200 each now.
Click to expand...

I got o2 sensors from rockauto.com for about $67 a piece recently....
 
Don't think it's the O2's. This evening it was back to it's idle misfire. May open it back up and adjust one click rich and see what happens. Hanlon should have never, never opened that up to begin with. Now it's a matter of playing with it to get it right.
 
SOCALFJ said:
That's crazy, because i've passed smog in my 80 with the CEL ON!
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't catch this earlier, but to clarify, this only seems to apply to OBII vehicles 96 or newer. A mil or check engine light is an automatic failure when hooked up to the smog machine. Also has a visual test I beleive for the light. I beleive he told me they would also fail you if the light does not come on when the ingnition is on but not running. This prevents people from disconnecting the bulb. I searched a bit and found this site that explains it better.

SmogTips.com - Smog Check Functional Inspection. Check Engine Light. Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Why is my check engine light on? Check engine light illuminated. Malfunction indicator lamp, also known is MIL. How to test the EGR valve. Exhaust Gas Re
 
I've readjusted the VAF two clicks richer since the passed smog test - running much better, but still an occasional misfire, just not nearly as bad as it had been. I've purchased a used, and better yet, factory sealed VAF from a board member parting out a '94 and will be installing that this weekend.

Seems from another post in the 80's section that my charcoal cannister may not be functioning properly either! Symptoms at altitude are exactly what I experienced up in Monache Meadows last summer. Will be doing the FSM tests on that too this weekend since it's part of the emission system.
 
Brentbba said:
I've readjusted the VAF two clicks richer since the passed smog test - running much better, but still an occasional misfire, just not nearly as bad as it had been. I've purchased a used, and better yet, factory sealed VAF from a board member parting out a '94 and will be installing that this weekend.

Seems from another post in the 80's section that my charcoal cannister may not be functioning properly either! Symptoms at altitude are exactly what I experienced up in Monache Meadows last summer. Will be doing the FSM tests on that too this weekend since it's part of the emission system.
Click to expand...

Curious...What issues are you having at altitude ? My 80 spends much of its time "at altitude" and would like to know what is normal and what is not....
 
SoCal_80 said:
Curious...What issues are you having at altitude ? My 80 spends much of its time "at altitude" and would like to know what is normal and what is not....
Click to expand...

Rich smell of gas in the engine bay near the CC. Way, Way too much pressure release when taking the gas cap off and the sound of boiling coming from INSIDE the gas tank.

Here's the link to Steve's thread in the 80's section. He's had the exact symptoms I had.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/396151-typo-error-fsm.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom