Failed CA smog-- newbie advice

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T

thc187

Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Threads
12
Messages
28
Location
Los Angeles
Howdy,

So i took my out of state vehicle to be smogged here in los angeles and it failed. Its a 1987.

The CO2 and 02 passed fine, along with the HC and the CO. But the NO--

Speed MAX AVERAGE MINE MEASURED
15 mph 1062 406 1329 FAIL
25 mph 1073 349 1073 PASS

so i just made it at 25, but failed at 15.

What needs to be adjusted for the NO to pass?

I am gonna be searching the archives, but figured i would post this while i search.

thankx all
 
the rest of my readings

15mph Co2 =11.2 02= 4.8 HC= 61 CO=.31 NO= 1329
25 mph CO2= 11.2 02= 4.8 HC= 49 CO=.28 NO= 1073



any advice, i dont have any manuals as I just bought her last week, and i dont have a tag cuz she was bought out of state and i drove her to calif.

so i really need to pass so i can register...any help would be nice :)
 
Not to hijack, but , What does it cost to just license a vehicle in cali?I heard it was $600. Also, what does the smog test cost? Do you have to pay for smog test yearly?
I have been to LA-LA many times but never asked anyone..good luck to you!
 
Retard the timing a couple of degrees and that might do it. Other things get more complex and $$, like EGR valve issues. Make sure all your vacuum lines are intact and hooked up. Hopefully, you will pass on round 2.

I don't know what state of tune your 60 is in, but always start with the basics. Valve adjustment, fresh sparkplugs, set timing, take test.
 
riverliver said:
Not to hijack, but , What does it cost to just license a vehicle in cali?I heard it was $600. Also, what does the smog test cost? Do you have to pay for smog test yearly?
I have been to LA-LA many times but never asked anyone..good luck to you!
Click to expand...

The license for my FJ40 was just $42, The smog test (every 2 years) was $55. The whole smog thing is pretty much a scam at this point. Basically, all modern OBD 2 cars and trucks won't run if they miss the smog targets anyway.
 
I second what grrlscout89FJ62 says.
I had to replace my catalitic converter in order to pass.
If you do have to replace it or get it replaced make sure that the shop that is doing it puts the right Cat Coverter.
I need to smog mine in the next week or so. Im running with an red tag as it sat for a good year before getting it going again.
I paid $63 to the DMV.
Once I get my smog check I dont have to pay anything else.
I think California tags are paid by % or the total value of the vehicle.
So, the higher the price on the vehicle the higher the charge on the tags. No smog check for new vehicles until after 3 or 4 years I think. You dont have to smog yearly I think is every other year or every two years.

Good luck Thc187 !!

Where did you get the LC from ?
 
MANUCHAO said:
I second what grrlscout89FJ62 says.
I had to replace my catalitic converter in order to pass.
If you do have to replace it or get it replaced make sure that the shop that is doing it puts the right Cat Coverter.

Good luck Thc187 !!

Where did you get the LC from ?
Click to expand...

It could be the cat converter, but that's expensive and a pain to change. Setting the timing is free and takes 5 minutes. Definitely go through the tuning steps first. Decreasing the timing advance will often solve a slightly high NOX problem. He isn't far out of spec, and a little tweak may fix it.

Also make sure you take the test with the rig fully hot-my routine is 20 miles on the freeway, then direct to the smog shop. If I have to wait, I'll run it 5 minutes out of ten to keep it hot.
 
If it's a bad egr, you can cut a small hole in the vacuum tubing coming off the egr valve. Take the tubing off, cut a small 'v' in it, put it back on with the 'v' hole facing the engine block (turned out of sight). Worked for me in order to pass.

:cool:
 
thc187 said:
15mph Co2 =11.2 02= 4.8 HC= 61 CO=.31 NO= 1329
25 mph CO2= 11.2 02= 4.8 HC= 49 CO=.28 NO= 1073



any advice, i dont have any manuals as I just bought her last week, and i dont have a tag cuz she was bought out of state and i drove her to calif.

so i really need to pass so i can register...any help would be nice :)
Click to expand...

I always take my '87 to K & H Imports in Canoga Park for the smog check. He is a Land Cruiser specialist. His name is Richard Kirkpatrick. Give him a call at (818)594-0088. His shop is not far from Spector Off-Road. He is really nice and very reasonable.

hattrick:grinpimp:

'75 fj40 / '87 fj60 / '93 fzj80
 
I've had two vehicles where the NO was too high and replacing the Cat fixed the problem! The one I got for my 60 was $126.00 online and bolted in in 15 min.
As Drew said start w/the basics, cheapest and easiest should always come first.
A new cat can mask all sorts of problems, but It'll help get you through smog.
Toad
 
The very first thing to check for high NO is the EGR system.Also a bad spark can cause high NO so put in some new plugs, rotor, distributor cap if it has been awhile sine you replaced them.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
The license for my FJ40 was just $42, The smog test (every 2 years) was $55. The whole smog thing is pretty much a scam at this point. Basically, all modern OBD 2 cars and trucks won't run if they miss the smog targets anyway.
Click to expand...



THANKS DREW FOR ANSWER TO MY QUESTIONS.......
 
If you are in Los Angeles go to High Tech Auto at 4000 Fountain in Hollywood and talk to Coco. 323.661.2788

He is a genius with carbs, passed an old '85 Pontiac of mine three times with a similar problem. He can diagnose looking at the failed smog test paperwork.

He also knows and works on Land Cruisers.

Don't bother with anybody else, worth the hassle to get the car to him.

He will get it to pass.
 
My baby passed smog test...

It read
At 15mph CO2 13.30 O2 1.32 HC 34 CO(%) 0.07 NO 364
At 25mph CO2 13.52 O2 1.32 HC 27 CO(%) 0.07 NO 327
 
Last edited:
thc187 said:
Howdy,

So i took my out of state vehicle to be smogged here in los angeles and it failed. Its a 1987.

The CO2 and 02 passed fine, along with the HC and the CO. But the NO--

Speed MAX AVERAGE MINE MEASURED
15 mph 1062 406 1329 FAIL
25 mph 1073 349 1073 PASS

so i just made it at 25, but failed at 15.

What needs to be adjusted for the NO to pass?

I am gonna be searching the archives, but figured i would post this while i search.

thankx all
Click to expand...

God I'm glad I'm leaving Cali. Has it been resolved? If not, PM me...I'll call my dad and see what he recommends...he smogs at his shop and might have a cheap trick to gett'rdone for ya.
 
thc187 said:
15mph Co2 =11.2 02= 4.8 HC= 61 CO=.31 NO= 1329
25 mph CO2= 11.2 02= 4.8 HC= 49 CO=.28 NO= 1073



any advice, i dont have any manuals as I just bought her last week, and i dont have a tag cuz she was bought out of state and i drove her to calif.

so i really need to pass so i can register...any help would be nice :)
Click to expand...


Does it also give the allowable limits for each gas on the report?
 
yosemitesamiam said:
Does it also give the allowable limits for each gas on the report?
Click to expand...

My report did..

They read:
MAX - Maximum Allowable Emissions

15mph HC=125 CO (%)=0.79 NO (PPM)=1062
25mph HC= 96 CO (%)=1.00 NO (PPM)=1073
 
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