94Q Failed Smog, Arnold The Governator Gave Me $500 To Fix It

[goody90q45]

The biennial smog check came due for the 94Q a couple of weeks ago and it failed. Here's a rundown of the results for the 25mph test only (15mph test was similar):

(Maximum/Actual)CO %____0.42/0.21__PassNO PPM___683/150___PassHC PPM___45/51_____Fail

Since our Q's are considered gross polluters in California I am required to go to a Test Only Smog (TOS) where no engine adjustments or repairs can be made by the technician to help me pass the test (i.e. advance the timing 2 degrees to pass then set it back where it was when complete). Since I'm required to use a TOS station I also qualify for up to $500 to make the repairs, regardless of income.

I barely failed the HC emissions and the smog tech suggested that it was a bad catalyic converter. I got to thinking about it and I'd had at least two episodes of leaky injector lower o-rings that flooded the exhaust so bad that raw fuel was coming out the passenger side (PS) muffler, cat and throttle body and probably comprimised the PS cat. The BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) approved shop I took it to, which happens to be the repair shop I've used for all my vehicles for 20+ years, just called and said that it was indeed a bad PS cat which they replaced.

The good news is my out of pocket cost. The bill total was $608.50. I had to pay the first $100 up front for the diagnosis, the state of California paid the next $500, and I paid the remainder- $8.50. What a deal.

This is the first time ever that the state has given me anything except a $2 discount on parking at the state fair for carpooling. I've paid more than my fair share over the years to support all the illegals, provide educations for those that shouldn't be here and heal the poor. I'm happy to get a little back and drive my gross polluter with my chin held high for another two years. With giveaways like this no wonder the state is broke. God bless the Governator.

[Q45tech]

The redesigned cats for 1994 were less durable than the 90-93 due to cost cutting and more stingent emission requirements.

Common to see this especially passenger side after 150-200k.

[Infinitiguy19]

Common to see this especially passenger side after 150-200k.

Do you mind if I ask why?

I though there would be even wear on the cats.

[lino]

Nice one

[Q45tech]

Don't assume that the cats are exact mirror images of each other. Don't assume that the air flow or heat is perfectly equal across the underside of Q45.

Things are close but just enough different.

Measure the air flow thru the plenum for each runner, you will find differences. That is why their are 2 O2 sensors because of differences in each bank.

Unfortunately OBDI is not powerful enough to trim each cylinder accurately all it looks at is the average of 4 and has only a +- 2.5% resolution.

Errors build up with the miles and accumulated damages seem to occur on passenger side first.

One side has to fail before the other even if it is just a 1,000 miles after all most techs just find the worst offender and replace that one. Since that is enough to bring the vehicle into PASSING.

[goody90q45]

.....One side has to fail before the other even if it is just a 1,000 miles after all most techs just find the worst offender and replace that one. Since that is enough to bring the vehicle into PASSING.

I talked to the shop owner when I picked the car up to ask how they determined it was a bad cat. As you had said in another post Tech, they drilled a small hole in each of the rear cats and measured emissions pre-cat (drilled hole) and post-cat (at the tail pipe) looking for a reduction. The DS cat had been changed by the PO (news to me) probably about 4-5 years ago. He must have had injector 1-3-5-7 leaks. It showed a large emissions drop between the two readings. The PS cat showed a "minimal reduction number" (in his own words) and it was obvious to him that the catalyst was tapped out, probably from the couple of 2-4-6-8 injector leaks I had.

I didn't get an OEM cat for my $108 and the state's $500, but I did get a cat installed that's rated for the "reduction" needed for the nasty beast 8 cylinder gross polluting Q45. In comparison, my Q barely failed the toughest smog standards in the country on the first test but still had very low emissions which would have passed smog inspection in any other state. The new cat made it that much better (and for only $108).

[elwesso]

i probably would have just taken the car out and got it super hot...

[law abidn]

$500 bucks from the state? no wonder Cali is going bankrupt.....

MAKE POT LEGAL AND TAX IT! lol

[goody90q45]

i probably would have just taken the car out and got it super hot...

I did as you've been suggesting and drove at about 4000 rpm for the 4 mile drive to the smog shop. Once I got there though there were 3 others in front of me and it was at least an hour before he started the test.

I forgot to mention that it passed with a NICO ECU installed.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Over an hour to test 3 cars?! What do they do, pull the motor and order pizzas?

[Q45man1]

My G50 is schedule for a smog check and the HC reading is almost identical to yours. It failed test two years ago, and it had the NICO ECU installed.

I took out the NICO ECU, put back the original and after a week went back to the station and passed the test.

[maxnix]

I didn't get an OEM cat for my $108 and the state's $500,,,,

A couple of years ago the new OEM catalytic convertors from Joe were $1,100.

[BadQ45t]

BTW, you were not sent to the Test Only Station because you were a gross polluter. Those are actually relatively random but they are most focused on older cars. My 84' 300ZX has seen the test only station 2-3 times now and my old 85' Max did as well. However, just last trip for the 84' Z was at the regular station.

They now give you $500 to repair, that is new and unreal considering our budget crunch...but i always say if they put it out there I'll take it.

I hate smog tests.

[Infinitiguy19]

Its better to get the OEM used 1990-1993 Q45 cats than to get new ones from Joe if price is a problem.

[Q45tech]

The 90-93 are different sizes and differnt pipe lengths from 94-95 so welding and cutting [positioning flanges] is required