Failed emmissions today

[whysimon]

Apparently I'm rich, super rich (burning oil, not monetary). I was wondering what I can do to pass. The car is great and it passed last year so I was in complete disbelief today. What's kind of odd about this whole thing is I get great gas milage and I don't have to add any oil inbetween oil changes.

Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Thanks,

[Farbin Kaiber]

Give us the specs from the emissions test, tell us about your car, tell us about the testing procedure.

[whysimon]

it's an 87'e car with an M52 converted from obdII to obdI. 506 DME, and stock everything. Knock off k&N air filter.

Test results are as follows: HC 554 (220 maximum)
CO 1.59 (1.20 maximum)

They stick a wand up the tail pipe and apparently it reads it.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Ok smartypants, I mean, how long did you warm up the car, how long did it take til they did the test, was it running the whole time, did it cool down? Did you drop it off and come back later with a cool/cold cat converter is what I'm asking.


What about NOx? What exhaust, what cat?

[whysimon]

Not trying to be a smart ass. The car was warm and it's a drive-thru style. I'm looking at the test and they don't test NOX. The whole procedure takes 5-7 min max. I went this morning and it failed. They told me the car needs to be warm, so I went up to the store got a coffee and drove around for a good 10 miles.

[whysimon]

tried the test again and my numbers were worse (which I put up on a previous post)

[Farbin Kaiber]

Not "warm". You need to get the car hot, more that 10 miles, I suggest at least 45min to 1 hr of highway speeds, also get the revs up and keep them there. Drive one gear lower than you would otherwise. You failed because it was not hot enough yet.

Also, rich is not burning oil, it's not burning all the fuel.

[whysimon]

oh alright that makes sense. I'll try it again on Monday and we'll go from there

[M-technik-3]

Bosch or NGK plugs? I have had much better luck with NGK than the Bosch twin electrode unit.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Yes, the NGK BKR6EK.

[matt]

The #1 most important thing that will let you pass emissions is having a working O2 sensor.

#2 is a proper chip. Why would you expect an M52 to run properly on a chip for an S50 with very different cams/displacement/etc?

[whysimon]

Matt, I'm the person whom dropped off the ECU to you late at night at your apartment one night about a year ago.

I understand about the 506 working on a non M motor, but the thing about it is I passed last year with flying colors. I'll try the NKG plugs and maybe I could get a 413 DME

[M-technik-3]

413 runs both 3.0l and 2.5l so it's the chip as Matt mentioned not the ECU. NGK's are cheap at autozone about $2 and some change each.

Get it nice hot as mentioned and run it through, but on that note is the Cat an aftermarket? If so how old? Seems some cats are not as reliable as good old OEM and that is why they are so cheap.

[whysimon]

I'm running OEM S50 exhaust. I'm going to try all suggestions and go from there. I'll post updates

[matt]

Getting it really really hot is key.