Failed smog test in CA.What to do next?

[CJF]

Check here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=904167&postcount=12

I'd be scared leaving in the dealer's hands. EGR? Maybe, but hopefully they'll really test it and not just slap a new one on. Cat's? No way would I do that before O2 sensors.

Curtis, AKA Oxygen Sensor Police ;p

 

[JDay]

O2 sensors typically do not affect the idle. They are only used in closed loop mode which is usually at cruising rpms/speeds.

Probably not the EGR. Unless your EGR is stuck open, it again only comes into play at certain loads (vacuum) and rpms. At idle, if your EGR is stuck open, your vehicle will most likely stall or idle very poorly. Easy to check, apply vacuum to the port on top of the EGR and see if the vehicle stalls, if it does, the EGR is not stuck.

Check the simple things first. Change your plugs and wires. The high CO and rich readings at idle can be from a weak spark and/or miss. Also check for a vacuum leak.

Go buy a $15 vacuum gauge and check out what it is reading at idle. On the face of most gauges, it tells you what the most common readings mean.

How do I know, in So. NV we get the sniffer test every year for vehicles 1968 to 1995, and I have been tested every year since 1988. The 1996 and newer cars get only an OBDII test.

 

[Silicon 70]

Okay, just got it back from the mecahanic and he found my VSV valve was broken and O2 sensor was was missing. Nearly $600 later she's fixed.

There was a huge difference in the smog sheet.Especially in CO%, she now measeures in at .002 and the average is .10.....They smogged it and every reading is now way below average.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Which VSV, or do you mean ASV for the A.I.? If so, then I would have gladly sold you mine one hell of a lot cheaper than factory, and it is a 1/2 job. BTW, how much did they charge for you the O2 sensor, and was it the DS or PS?

 

[Silicon 70]

Both O2 were replaced, one was bad and the other was missing. The VSV I would guess is located by the DS headlight. I've seen vacuum hoses attached to it, one was broken and I paid no mind to it for the longest time.

I hate learning expensive lessons.

 

[jaxcruiser]

thank god in florida they dont test any more.

 

[alkaline747trio]

http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/3FE_Desmog_Guide.pdf page 4, #5?

 

[Silicon 70]

That's where I need to move to, Florida.

 

[CJF]

Okay, just got it back from the mecahanic and he found my VSV valve was broken and O2 sensor was was missing. Nearly $600 later she's fixed.

There was a huge difference in the smog sheet.Especially in CO%, she now measeures in at .002 and the average is .10.....They smogged it and every reading is now way below average.

This is good news!



Curtis

 

[Brentbba]

Missing as in completely off? Wow!

Glad you've got her smoged now. The Governator will call off his gross polluter police now.

 

[Silicon 70]

Missing as in there was a hole that had no O2 sensor in it. I was shcocked to find that out as well. No wonder she's been running crappy. Now, its like a night and day difference. The VSV valve I would have never guessed. Now all I need to do is flush the heater core. HAHA