Failed emissions - for those states that care!

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  • david55838
    Advanced Member
    • Nov 2006
    • 141

    #1

    Failed emissions - for those states that care!

    Besides a power chip, non-stock AFM and maybe a bad O2 sensor, are there any other causes for an S50 to run rich and go over the limit on the HC and NOx readings?

    Thanks!
    Cheers,

    David
    '89 318i Touring (gone, but still loved) :sad:
    '88 Vert

  • dougsic
    Wrencher
    • Jun 2006
    • 284

    #2
    Are you using the stock catalytic converters?

    Comment

    • 1990m3
      E30 Enthusiast
      • Feb 2004
      • 1180

      #3
      David - contact me offline and we can meet up. My car passes emissions very easy. I'm sure we can figure out how to make yours pass as well. You may need the charcoal filter assembly but I'm not sure.

      check your PM

      Comment

      • david55838
        Advanced Member
        • Nov 2006
        • 141

        #4
        Originally posted by dougsic
        Are you using the stock catalytic converters?
        They're some aftermarket cats. An emissions repair approved shop in the area quoted me $3600 :crazy: to source E36 M3 cats, fabricate them and weld them in closer to the exhaust manifold.

        I need another idea!
        Cheers,

        David
        '89 318i Touring (gone, but still loved) :sad:
        '88 Vert

        Comment

        • iflytii
          E30 Addict
          • Jun 2004
          • 482

          #5
          Have you checked to see if you are throwing codes? I was running super rich until I got all my codes cleared. A bad knock sensor was the main culprit for me, causing the computer to go limp... :(

          Comment

          • Jason89i
            E30 Modder
            • Sep 2004
            • 875

            #6
            might want to check the engine temp sender. i had that connector go bad once. i had it hooked up to a scanner were you could see ALL the sensor inputs while the car was running. sure enough, the dme thought the engine was 0deg at warm operating temp. wiggling the connector and you could see the temp jump up to 140deg. bad connector, engine was running rich thinking it was a cold engine. just a thought. cheers, jason blackhawk the 13th?

            Comment

            • david55838
              Advanced Member
              • Nov 2006
              • 141

              #7
              Originally posted by iflytii
              Have you checked to see if you are throwing codes? I was running super rich until I got all my codes cleared. A bad knock sensor was the main culprit for me, causing the computer to go limp... :(
              I'm code free, so the knock and o2 sensors were ruled out.

              might want to check the engine temp sender. i had that connector go bad once. i had it hooked up to a scanner were you could see ALL the sensor inputs while the car was running. sure enough, the dme thought the engine was 0deg at warm operating temp. wiggling the connector and you could see the temp jump up to 140deg. bad connector, engine was running rich thinking it was a cold engine. just a thought. cheers, jason blackhawk the 13th?

              I need that scanner! I might try for a waiver at the DMV tomorrow. No BHF on the 13th. Can't get off work. Enjoy!
              Cheers,

              David
              '89 318i Touring (gone, but still loved) :sad:
              '88 Vert

              Comment

              • Jason89i
                E30 Modder
                • Sep 2004
                • 875

                #8
                Originally posted by david55838
                I need that scanner! I might try for a waiver at the DMV tomorrow. No BHF on the 13th. Can't get off work. Enjoy!
                ryan can hook the scanner up over at the little car shop. not sure if dennis has it at alpine, might be worth a call. dealers typically have them too. i had another car scanned (with the euro motor) over in schaumburg. very cool to watch the screen and see everything the dme is processing. cheers, jason

                Comment

                • surebimmer
                  E30 Modder
                  • Jan 2004
                  • 978

                  #9
                  High hc is inburned fuel. How are your plugs? Just BC you don,t have a code for the o2 sensor doesn't mean its working as good as is could be.

                  Comment

                  • matt
                    No R3VLimiter
                    • Oct 2003
                    • 3731

                    #10
                    O2 sensor could be it. NOx is high combustion temps, which can be caused by running lean, running too much ignition advance (chip), or the car overheating. How are your coolant temps on the rollers?

                    Comment

                    • david55838
                      Advanced Member
                      • Nov 2006
                      • 141

                      #11
                      I suspect the O2 sensor, but the shop I just had it to wouldn't say if it was an issue. They told me I need a 'post-cat' O2 sensor wired in as well as the 'pre-cat' one that's already there. I suspect that's BS.

                      I had to put the electric cooling fan on when the car was on the rollers, but it stayed at operating temp during the test.
                      Cheers,

                      David
                      '89 318i Touring (gone, but still loved) :sad:
                      '88 Vert

                      Comment

                      • 1990m3
                        E30 Enthusiast
                        • Feb 2004
                        • 1180

                        #12
                        i don't think two o2 sensors will yield any improvements on an OBDI system. The ECU is designed to read from one o2 sensor. OBDII cars are designed to read from two o2 sensors.

                        Comment

                        • surebimmer
                          E30 Modder
                          • Jan 2004
                          • 978

                          #13
                          How old are your plugs? How many miles on the motor? How old is the o2 sensor?

                          Comment

                          • david55838
                            Advanced Member
                            • Nov 2006
                            • 141

                            #14
                            The motor has about 60k, and the sensor and plugs are no more than 2 years old. However, I went back this morning and a very 'helpful' tech got the car to pass! :pimp: So, me be done for two more years!
                            Cheers,

                            David
                            '89 318i Touring (gone, but still loved) :sad:
                            '88 Vert

                            Comment

                            • Van Westervelt
                              R3V OG
                              • May 2006
                              • 9365

                              #15
                              Lucky man! :) Mine passed first try with flying colors, and its a 130k miles block, stock internals with 24 lb injectors with an afpr.

                              I wonder what tricks the mane used? hehe
                              sigpic

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