Failed Aircare - need Cat advice.

[richmondbob]

Failed Aircare on Friday (that's BC's emission testing for those who don't know).

Today, my mechanic tested the emissions systems and has determined both the front and rear catalytic converters plus the front and rear O2 sensors need to be changed. He gave me Mr. T's prices for the parts but I'd sooner sell the truck then pay that much.

So, has anyone successfully used an alternative catalytic converter and O2 sensors that let them pass Aircare or emissions testing? And where to get them from?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Parsnip]

This thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...talytic-conv-replacement-success-stories.html

The new generic is "heavy metal" and does both NOx and HCs so there is no need for a precat and cat. But even if you must run two cats to satisfy Aircare you can still get a magnaflow front pipe with cat and a generic cat for about $360 plus installation.

As for the O2s, I would want to see what voltages they are outputting before I just replace them. IMO if you didn't have a CEL or stored code then I would not replace them on a hunch.

 

[e9999]

as discussed before here, at least in some US states you *must* replace with OEM parts or *approved* ones IIANM to placate the smog naz@s. Now, I have no idea what it's like in the "Land of the Freeer Colder up Norther, eh" but you may want to check?

 

[86tuning]

Did you get the cats hot before the testing? Did you fail by a little or a lot?

 

[Wheelingnoob]

If you want we can trade y pipe and cats i also have two newer O2's on it? Only problem is I leave for two weeks on Saturday. When is you insurance up? Would want a few $$ for the O2's but way less than Toyota wants.

If you can wait till Jan 11th ish ill be taking the exhaust off anyway when I pull the engine to start my swap.

 

[richmondbob]

Did you get the cats hot before the testing? Did you fail by a little or a lot?

An Aircare supervisor called me back this morning - I had expressed concern with their tech not keeping pace smoothly with the acceleration/deceleration leading to alot of hard skinny pedal use. After talking to her about it, I told her the tech suggested I warm the vehicle and cats up more and come back for a re-test. She said that advice was incorrect - NOx readings would not improve with warmer cats/emissions componants with a warmer vehicle.

On the plus side, because the tech gave that advice leading me to waste $23 on a re-test the same day, she's arranging a voucher for a free re-test when I'm ready.

 

[richmondbob]

If you want we can trade y pipe and cats i also have two newer O2's on it? Only problem is I leave for two weeks on Saturday. When is you insurance up? Would want a few $$ for the O2's but way less than Toyota wants.

If you can wait till Jan 11th ish ill be taking the exhaust off anyway when I pull the engine to start my swap.

I might just take you up on that. January is no problem as I'm swamped until mid-January, too. Will send you PM with my number. Thanks.

 

[86tuning]

Better make sure the egr is working properly first.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Better make sure the egr is working properly first.

Yes I agree. If I'm not mistaken catalytic converters in our trucks do little to reduce Nox that is the EGR's job.

 

[lp2k]

If this is the truck from el mariachi / potato and has the aux tank I'll be interested in buying it

 

[richmondbob]

If this is the truck from el mariachi / potato and has the aux tank I'll be interested in buying it

Thanks but if I ever sell it Jim has first dibs in appreciation of what a great Cruiser he built and the help he's provided since I bought it.

 

[lp2k]

Well if he doesn't want it back, I do

 

[dougfj62]

Magnaflow has some direct fit convertors. They even have one that was certified for use in california. Check Amazon.

 

[Kernal]

What were the actual readings from the emission test?

 

[richmondbob]

FACK!@*!%!#

Thanks to Jeremy, I was in possession of a passed-air-care pair of cats. Had mine cut out and his welded in. Go back for Aircare test and FAIL! Now, the just fail reading was much better this time around on the NOx but fail is a fail. When the other cats were swapped in the second O2 sensor by the cats went along with them. The only thing I can think to do is swap my O2 sensor back in.

Any thoughts?

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Need to start digging through the EGR and cleaning out passageways. The Cat's are there to convert carbon-monoxide to carbon-dioxide. NOx is crated in the combustion chamber and the 1FZ reduces that with the EGR (when working correctly).

If you try that and find nothing I have that other O2 sensor here that is about a year old.

 

[richmondbob]

The EGR tests fine when parked - could this be an intermittent problem with the EGR when I'm driving?

 

[richmondbob]

What were the actual readings from the emission test?

Here comes the numbers, numbers, numbers. B.C.'s Aircare program tests for the following emissions.

AIRCARE emissions test components with max and averages:

1. Hydrocarbons (HC) g/km @ 0.500 max and 0.2300 average
2. Carbon Monoxide (CO) g/km @ 8.0800 max and 3.7703 average
3. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) g/km @ 1.1200 max and 0.6698 average

December 13/13 - 1st test
Admittandly, I basically drove from home to the testing facility which definitely wasn't long enough for the Cruiser to warm up.

1. HC @ 0.1893 = PASS
2. CO @ 2.7474 = PASS
3. NOx @ 1.7648 = FAIL

December 13/13 - 2nd test
On advice of the Aircare Tech, I drove the Cruiser up and down the highway before coming back a couple of hours later for a re-test on the same day.

1. HC @ 0.1504 = PASS
2. CO @ 3.3504 = PASS
3. NOx @ 1.7400 = FAIL (extra highway driving didn't help much)

[STRIKE]February 01/14 - 3rd test
Thought I'd roll the dice with a mix of regular and Supreme gas plus some driving on the highway driving in milder weather conditions.

1. HC @ 0.4947 = PASS
2. CO @ 3.8120 = PASS
3. NOx @ 2.1888 = FAIL (highway driving and warmer weather had no positive effect)

[/STRIKE] *I've called this my WTF? test since all the numbers were so out of whack compared to the first two tests)

February 22/14 - 4th test (I'm a glutton for punishment)
After having Jeremy's cats and cat mounted O2 sensor implanted (but still my pre-cat 02 sensor at Y-pipe) I went back to Aircare thinking I'm finally out of the woods. Idiot.

1. HC @ 0.0803 = PASS (48% lower reading than first two tests)
2. CO @ 1.4504 = PASS (48% lower reading than first two tests)
3. NOx @ 1.2898 = FAIL (36% lower reading but still not good enough failing by just 0.1698)

So, even though the already passing HC and CO improved by almost half, NOx still failed by the smallest amount. So, now that the numbers are here for all to see, do I:

1. leave everything as-is, run the truck hotter, keep it revved at 2,500rpm in the Aircare waiting line and test it again? or
2. take Jeremy up on his generous offer and install his other pre-cat O2 sensor before re-testing?

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Count me as one in the "test your EGR system per the FSM" camp.

 

[richmondbob]

Count me as one in the "test your EGR system per the FSM" camp.

Had the EGR tested while parked by both my mechanic (twice) and Brian (86tuning) who were both able to make the vehicle stall.

Is there another test to conduct?