Buying a 1997 (I Hope) - Help with Emissions Testing, Catalytic Converter

[VinylSeats]

Hey all. I found a 1997 40th Anniversary with 250k miles in amazing shape. The second owner has driven it for the last 16 or 17 years and taken great care of it. I put a $500 deposit on it last week to hold it while we sorted out the purchase details.

He took the truck for emissions testing (hooray!) in Boulder, CO, last week and it failed. The CO limit is 15 and it got a 15.3. Passed all other areas. He had a shop replace the spark plugs today and took it back for testing. It failed again with a CO reading of 19 this time.

This truck is in phenomenal shape and I don't want to let it get away. I wish I had pics to share so you could see how clean this thing is! I will if I buy it.

So, I'm trying to figure out the way forward. He has registered all of his vehicles in Eagle County where there are no emissions requirements. He has a place there. My parents have a place in Winter Park (Grand County) where there are also no emissions requirements.

1) Can I title and register the truck using my parents' Winter Park address? Do I need to bring any proof of address? Looking at the title page and registration page in Colorado, it doesn't seem like it. Do I need to put the Winter Park address on the bill of sale, application for title, etc? Hopefully someone has done this before and can provide insight.

2) If I can't register in Grand County, should I still buy the truck? Seems like a catalytic converter replacement would do the trick.

3) If I try to register it in Arapahoe County where I live, can I get this thing to pass emissions without replacing the cats? While I'm happy to spend the money replacing them, I'd prefer to do that sometime within the first two years of ownership, not be rushed just to properly register the thing.


Thanks for the help!

 

[ccslider]

You can register it but bewar of the huge fine. It's like 5000 or something crazy.

I'd still buy it. We all have that fear when at the emissions center.

I failed once on high nox and maybe once on co.
Check for exhaust leaks before the O2 sensors.

 

[BILT4ME]

You need to take it out and drive it 30-40 miles to get it good and hot before emissions test. Then only sit in the lot maximum of 30 minutes or it will fail again.

The cats heat up to do their job and good and hot does better.

 

[Biggreener]

Buy it if you like it and sort out the emissions stuff (probably just a +1 to what BILT4ME said). In a pinch have your parents buy the truck. They are the legal owners, they register it, their name is on the title, no funny business, etc. Nothing wrong with them letting you drive it now and then...

 

[OffRoadScott]

You need to take it out and drive it 30-40 miles to get it good and hot before the emissions test. Then only sit in the lot maximum of 30 minutes or it will fail again.

The cats heat up to do their job and good and hot does better.

Agreed, but when you are sitting in line DO NOT turn off the LC.

 

[VinylSeats]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. So, I think I'll go ahead with the purchase with the intent of registering in Arapahoe County.

I'll probably give myself 2 attempts at passing before replacing the cats. In order to have the highest chance of passing, I'll do the following:

-Oil change
-Air filter
-Spark plugs (done)
-Ensure tires are very full
-45 minutes of highway driving immediately before

Anything else you guys would recommend to increase chances of passing?

-Does fuel octane make a difference?
-Does amount of gas in tank have any effect?
-Anyone have any luck with any products like Lucas fuel treatment?
-The engine burns a little oil; any products I can use in the short term to pass emissions?

Thanks!

 

[OffRoadScott]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. So, I think I'll go ahead with the purchase with the intent of registering in Arapahoe County.

I'll probably give myself 2 attempts at passing before replacing the cats. In order to have the highest chance of passing, I'll do the following:

-Oil change
-Air filter
-Spark plugs (done)
-Ensure tires are very full
-45 minutes of highway driving immediately before

Anything else you guys would recommend to increase chances of passing?

-Does fuel octane make a difference?
-Does amount of gas in tank have any effect?
-Anyone have any luck with any products like Lucas fuel treatment?
-The engine burns a little oil; any products I can use in the short term to pass emissions?

Thanks!

Hold off on the oil change, tire pressure. Put some time/money into changing out the cap/rotor and plug wires. To remove some of the carbon build up run some Seafoam through it. With the Seafoam you can put it in a few ways, adding it to your oil, fuel and sucking some out of a small container via a vacuum hose.

 

[montypr]

Check this video out.

 

[VinylSeats]

Hold off on the oil change, tire pressure. Put some time/money into changing out the cap/rotor and plug wires. To remove some of the carbon build up run some Seafoam through it. With the Seafoam you can put it in a few ways, adding it to your oil, fuel and sucking some out of a small container via a vacuum hose.

I'll look into doing the cap and wires. I've never used Seafoam but some people seem to swear by it.

Anyone have any luck with this Lucas Fuel Treatment?

Check this video out.

Lacquer thinner! Seems a bit extreme.

 

[VinylSeats]

Check this video out.

Have you had any success with this method personally?

 

[Bludozer]

You can register it but bewar of the huge fine. It's like 5000 or something crazy.

I'd still buy it. We all have that fear when at the emissions center.

I failed once on high nox and maybe once on co.
Check for exhaust leaks before the O2 sensors.

$5,000. That is complete insanity. I don't love everything about my state but at least it is free in that regard...

 

[guthriealexander]

I have failed Jeffco emissions twice over the years in my 95. I put in a bottle of injector cleaner turn off OD, and drive it on the highway for 20 minutes and come back, both times it has passed on the second test.

 

[Tools R Us]

Do you have ethanol fuel available, if so use it, if not make some. Our summer gas doesn't have it, making emission testing more challenging. So run the fuel level low, add denatured alcohol, shoot for ~15-20%, after the test refill to dilute. Alcohol burns clean, helpful for passing emissions.

 

[VinylSeats]

I have failed Jeffco emissions twice over the years in my 95. I put in a bottle of injector cleaner turn off OD, and drive it on the highway for 20 minutes and come back, both times it has passed on the second test.

Good to know. My plan is to run Lucas Fuel Treatment, drive for 45 minutes on the highway, then test immediately as the emissions place opens.

What injector cleaner have you used?
What is the benefit of turning off overdrive?
Has the emissions station made you shut off the vehicle when you pull in then an employee starts it again? Does it matter so long as it's tested quickly with the cats hot?

Do you have ethanol fuel available, if so use it, if not make some. Our summer gas doesn't have it, making emission testing more challenging. So run the fuel level low, add denatured alcohol, shoot for ~15-20%, after the test refill to dilute. Alcohol burns clean, helpful for passing emissions.

Interesting. I don't think we have fuel with ethanol in Denver so I'd have to make some.

 

[Tools R Us]

...
Interesting. I don't think we have fuel with ethanol in Denver so I'd have to make some.

If you have E85 available (we don't) it's likely the cheapest way to get it done. It's 85% ethanol, so maybe 1.5 to 2 gallon E85 in a quarter tank of gas.

 

[VinylSeats]

If you have E85 available (we don't) it's likely the cheapest way to get it done. It's 85% ethanol, so maybe 1.5 to 2 gallon E85 in a quarter tank of gas.

How far is safe to drive in that situation for the cruiser (6 gallons gas, 1.5 gallons E85)? Would you drive 30 minutes on gas on the highway to heat up cats, quickly add the E85, then test ASAP?

 

[Tools R Us]

How far is safe to drive in that situation for the cruiser (6 gallons gas, 1.5 gallons E85)? Would you drive 30 minutes on gas on the highway to heat up cats, quickly add the E85, then test ASAP?

Wont harm anything, need to drive enough to get it well mixed and into the system. Quarter tank on the gauge is more like 10gal.

 

[guthriealexander]

Good to know. My plan is to run Lucas Fuel Treatment, drive for 45 minutes on the highway, then test immediately as the emissions place opens.

What injector cleaner have you used?
What is the benefit of turning off overdrive?
Has the emissions station made you shut off the vehicle when you pull in then an employee starts it again? Does it matter so long as it's tested quickly with the cats hot?


Interesting. I don't think we have fuel with ethanol in Denver so I'd have to make some.

I'm sure I just picked up some Lucas injector cleaner from orilies. I just turn off the OD to help keep the RPMS up on the highway, no idea if it actually helps, it's just what I've always done. It certainly helps keep the 420 error code from popping up for me.

 

[VinylSeats]

Wont harm anything, need to drive enough to get it well mixed and into the system. Quarter tank on the gauge is more like 10gal.

That's good to know. I'm likely picking the truck up tomorrow. I'll add some Lucas Fuel Treatment to the tank, then drive it down throughout the weekend.

Next week when seeking emissions, I'll drive it down to quarter tank on normal gas, add 2 gallons of E85, drive on the highway for 30 minutes keeping RPMs up, then pull in to emissions facility with fingers crossed.

I'm sure I just picked up some Lucas injector cleaner from orilies. I just turn off the OD to help keep the RPMS up on the highway, no idea if it actually helps, it's just what I've always done. It certainly helps keep the 420 error code from popping up for me.

Good to know. Anything to keep those RPMs up.

Was there a emissions facility that you've had good luck with?

 

[Sc0-]

Can try to retard the timing to 3 degrees after going through the ignition components. Mine was 3 for a LONG time and always passed emissions with minimal readings. Low idle speed but never noticed any other issues.