My Continuous SMOG and Emissions Problems

[Gurr]

Alright, I've gotten as far as I can with the FSM and thread searching and want to just make sure I'm doing the right thing here. I also just want to have this thread up in case I have any other problems in the future

My last SMOG showed that I have fairly high HC's and CO's. After attempting to find a middle ground between the 2 readings by adjusting the fuel mixture(while hooked up to the machine)...it pointed to an issue with the Air Injection system.

I found that one of the more common issues presented itself, there was a bit of a draft coming from the ABV. The next test that failed was (7) checking the deceleration fuel cut system to VSV(2). So I thought I would check the VSV's for the evap as these seem to commonly go bad, they both failed to switch with power applied to them. So with both VSV's constantly closed, this puts they system into bypass mode, correct? Is there anything else I should look for?

Also checking the VTV's there is NO air flow and resisted air flow, when it seems like the FSM states it should be resisted and free air flow...Although I broke one of the plastic nipples so I might as well pick up a couple of those anyways.

I also opened up the ABV, ASV, ACV assembly and cleaned it out. There was a fine carbon powder all throughout. Biggest mess I found was in the Relief Valve, lots of good little chunkies in there.

I guess I just want to make sure this sounds consistent as a lot of these parts are interacting with one another.

Another side note is the fact that I get fairly poor MPG's...like under 8. I hope to fix that.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Silver City Cruiser]

Please feel free to call me at the shop tomorrow. i am very familiar with the systems on a 60, Bill 505-325-4388

 

[Gurr]

Thanks Bill, I appreciate the help.

I am aware of the readings and know that 8 is way too low. I have a limited repair time before I take a long drive to my house down south. I've already spent many hours searching threads and will continue to do so.

I just want to make sure these issues that I have found sound like they coincide with my symptoms or if there might be something more. Of course I know that no advice is my golden ticket here, I'm hoping someone pops in with a possible culprit. I would also like to go through the entire emissions system and test it all, but I don't exactly have the time or tools with me at this point.

I'm lucky to have found both VSV's and VTV's that I can get before I leave...

 

[Gurr]

I have also found some good info in threads you've replied to Output. Thanks.

california 60 smog, high CO% low NO no O2

 

[Silver City Cruiser]

Without talking to you here are a few things I would check first. Look at all the vacuum systems on the passenger side of the engine that use intake vacuum to operate. Distributor vent VTV (clipped to the air filter housing above the distributor) is the number one cause for air injection failures. Test it by applying vacuum to the small port on the black side (suck on it with a piece of spare hose), it must hold vacuum. Next check BOTH vacuum advancer ports on the distributor the same way, they MUST HOLD vacuum(mpg). Check the air injection bypass hose to the top of the air filter housing while running. if ANY air comes out you have a problem. The next failure point is the VSV for the ABV closest to the ABV. Apply 12 volt to see if it has a audible click. it should apply vacuum to the ABV. And make sure the Vacuum filter is clean at the #1&2 intake runner. Next make sure the vacuum restricter is in place on the center vacuum hose that runs to the top of the air filter housing. Hope this helps, Bill

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

that VTV gave me hell finding the problem- it was bad internally and bled vacuum to atmosphere...I was at about 9", then jumped to 16 after plugging the vacuum inlet on that vtv...

 

[Silver City Cruiser]

Did you perhaps have the Cat replaced? if so ,did they weld the temp probe back into the cat or weld it to the pipe.? Welding it will destroy it as it is a "one time switch", it will keep the computer in BY bass mode. You can test it by unplugging it. The connector is under the center console, green connector near the E-brake, OPEN circuit= inject, shorted= by-pass, Bill

 

[Silver City Cruiser]

that VTV gave me hell finding the problem- it was bad internally and bled vacuum to atmosphere...I was at about 9", then jumped to 16 after plugging the vacuum inlet on that vtv...

It also makes the power valve open to soon in the carb and wa la=bad mpg

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

of course it does...

 

[Gurr]

Without talking to you here are a few things I would check first. Look at all the vacuum systems on the passenger side of the engine that use intake vacuum to operate. Distributor vent VTV (clipped to the air filter housing above the distributor) is the number one cause for air injection failures. Test it by applying vacuum to the small port on the black side (suck on it with a piece of spare hose), it must hold vacuum. Next check BOTH vacuum advancer ports on the distributor the same way, they MUST HOLD vacuum(mpg). Check the air injection bypass hose to the top of the air filter housing while running. if ANY air comes out you have a problem. The next failure point is the VSV for the ABV closest to the ABV. Apply 12 volt to see if it has a audible click. it should apply vacuum to the ABV. And make sure the Vacuum filter is clean at the #1&2 intake runner. Next make sure the vacuum restricter is in place on the center vacuum hose that runs to the top of the air filter housing. Hope this helps, Bill

that VTV gave me hell finding the problem- it was bad internally and bled vacuum to atmosphere...I was at about 9", then jumped to 16 after plugging the vacuum inlet on that vtv...

Thanks for the streamlined diagnostic tips. I tested the VSV's yesterday and both of the AI system ones failed...at least the EGR VSV is good! Looks like the vacuum advance on the distributor is holding vacuum on both sides as well.

I think what you guys are referring to is a VCV? Acronym aside it is NOT holding vacuum on that black side...and from the looks of it that'll give me poor mpg's. I was glad to find it failed so I can start pointing fingers. From the description it looks like this guy:

I placed my order for the VSV's and VTV's last night and made sure they would make it here on time this week. I also just called in and was able to add that VCV to the list as well before the shipment made it out. Craig at Cruiserparts.net has been really helpful in making sure everything goes smoothly even though they're a bit backed up from the holiday. I thought I was going to have to go through $OR for all these emission devils with the time frame I have...

Did you perhaps have the Cat replaced? if so ,did they weld the temp probe back into the cat or weld it to the pipe.? Welding it will destroy it as it is a "one time switch", it will keep the computer in BY bass mode. You can test it by unplugging it. The connector is under the center console, green connector near the E-brake, OPEN circuit= inject, shorted= by-pass, Bill

I have had the cat replaced, the guy who welded it did not go MIG trigger happy with my temp probe though. Yesterday I did the short circuit test on the connector and that tested fine.

I'm hoping to get these guys on and bring it to the SMOG shop around here that lets me use the sniffing computer before I take my trip.

Once again thanks for the responses, start sending me addresses so I can start shipping 6 packs around...

 

[Silver City Cruiser]

Glad to help ,got your call but the number was garbled. Try again later if you need to. Bill

 

[Gurr]

Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up getting the 2 VSV's, VTV's and the VCV Friday morning. They were immediately installed and I was running through the tests with them. The AI system was no longer in bypass mode and the VCV also held vacuum!

I wanted to run through the EGR system really quick when I started to hear ticking... Trying to determine which pulley it was coming from the smog pump froze up. I was glad it happened there and not a hundred miles away from home.

I immediately tore out the smog pump remembering I got it from the Kragen several years ago, it was one of the first parts I replaced. They couldn't find it in the system so I tried to get it from my good friends at the FLAPS within the hour.

Unfortunately their computer cross referenced the wrong part number...I had to call O'Reilly's again and tell them to ship it, at this point it is almost 4pm and I had to have the truck ready that night. They said it would be in at 5 or 6 depending on traffic. Finally 7pm rolls around and I give them a call...they had it for over an hour...

Went and got some dinner with good ol' Bro Montana, got the part, borrowed a headlamp from a neighbor and got the truck running by 11.

Left the next morning for San Francisco and came back and drove it down south to LA area. Didn't even have to top off the oil on the way down and I averaged 15 mpg's. I am a happy camper.

I still have to see what the emissions are, but it seems like it should be much better now. Once again, thanks for the help.

 

[NMfjCruiser]

Please feel free to call me at the shop tomorrow. i am very familiar with the systems on a 60, Bill 505-325-4388

Wait you have a shop in NM and you really know the 60 System? I'd be glad to drive up from ABQ if you could get my 60 to pass and run well. I've had it at all the known shops here and nobody seems to know what they are doing.

 

[Gurr]

What's up folks! Can you guess what problems I'm having!?

I should also mention that the SMOG place seemed to have a new guy or something, claiming that my cat was modified and that my hot air intake looked incomplete because I have an aftermarket metal hose going down to the exhaust manifold.

Nonetheless, I failed SMOG with high CO.

Ran through some more tests involving the AI system and found the ASV possibly doing some funny things? I'm not entirely sure, the FSM could be interpreted in different ways.

The air flows out of the air hose to the check valve with or without vacuum applied to the ASV...The ASV also holds the vacuum just fine.

 

[Output Shaft]

Whether the air gets diverted into the air injection rail or into the exhaust pipe, the cat doesn't care.
If you can feel air sucking into the big air intake hose on the L side of the air cleaner and no air is blowing out of the big hose on the R side (passenger side) of air cleaner, the air pump is pumping air into the exhaust one way or another... which is good.

But since your O2% is 0, there's something not working with the air injection.

 

[Gurr]

Hmm. All the components listed under AI in the FSM checked out fine except for the speed sensor to VSV(2) was a little wonky. It seemed to kick on and off at high speeds, but that being something that shouldn't be affecting SMOG at low speeds.

I didn't test the temperature sensor, mainly because I have to take out the seat to do it. But it tested fine several months ago...not that that is conclusive.

Is there anything else I could check that affects this system? Several years ago I got a new to me air injection rail, I soaked it to get all of the crap out and it was pretty clean before installing. Maybe some other blockage or leaking diaphragms?

I guess I can start checking where air gets put into the exhaust and check that flow.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

man what a nightmare...if you're not in bypass mode, you should have air coming out at the cat and the injection rail. there are check valves inline with those two pipes, perhaps they are clogged? You could remove them to test them- they should let air pass one way, but not the other.

 

[Gurr]

From what I can tell, the check valve going to the air rail is letting air through one way and restricted in the other direction...although I'm not sure how free flowing it is compared to a new one, I can just tell the difference between the two sides.

Best way to describe it is probably about the same flow rate as a fuel filter when you need to replace it, and not as free flowing as a new one.

I could double check the VCV I replaced awhile ago. Never know when components will go out nowadays.

I think I might look a little harder at that link there OS...

Yeah, this thang has been a reel pain in tha arse. That's fo' sure.

As always, thanks guys.

- Gurr

 

[Gurr]

Christ...the bypass didn't work. They said I could have a new cat thrown on it for $400 and hopefully it will reduce the emissions enough for a pass. Here's the results with air going directly into the exhaust...

The CO's are still just a bit too high.

The check valve going to the exhaust is blown out. No resistance in the opposite direction. I imagine the backpressure would make it hard for the airpump to dilute the system, right?

Now I'm just in this funny situation, I don't think I can bring it back to that place...

 

[Gurr]

Forgot to update this. Ended up passing the smog after replacing those 2 check valves. We'll see how it goes in another 2 years

These dyno machines sure make it difficult to pass.

Thanks for all the help.

- Gurr