Another FAILED S13 California Smog Thread

[GymkhanaS13]

Okay, I know this topic is beat up pretty hard....I have searched around but I haven't found any other threads with results as bad as mine....My car however runs very good...I do not have any check engine lights and do not really remember the last time I did, it does light up on start however so I know the bulb works...no stuttering, great idle, timing, new plugs....doesn't burn oil or smoke. I have smogged it once before and although I don't have those results it barley passed. I haven't made any mods to the car since then and if anything I have tuned it up since then and seems to run better. Now since I failed yesterday, I completed a seafoam treatment and also found a vacuum hose that was leaking (it was the hose off the intake near the TB and it goes somewhere under that....When I pulled it off the car died right away, when I sprayed carb cleaner near the area the car started stalling. I also noticed when I completed the seafoam, I had an exhaust leak I wasn't able to tell for sure where it was, but smoke was coming from somewhere before the muffler as well.

Here are my results if anyone can comment before I go spending money I may not need to:


So pretty much the only things I have found since I ran smog were, an exhaust leak somewhere before the cat and the vacuum leak after the MAF on the intake near the TB, which I fixed. Any other concerns please let me know, I need my S13 back!!!

What I was considering purchasing:
New o2
I had new oil, but I added seafoam - So I will do another oil change
Fix exhaust leak
Inspect/replace plugs again just in case
Clean MAF

Thanks again everyone I appreciate it!!

[compactfean]

I'd say that's a perfect start. Also check your air injection. It seems like, from your numbers, that could be an issue. Also use some " heat" before your test.

[GymkhanaS13]

I'd say that's a perfect start. Also check your air injection. It seems like, from your numbers, that could be an issue. Also use some " heat" before your test.

Hey thanks for the quick reply....when you say air injection, are you talking about the PAIR/AIV? I heard that can be removed completely and still pass somg....Is this what you were talking about? Thanks again!!

Oh and I forgot to mention in my original post - I had about quarter tank of gas and I added 2 bottles of Heet before I ran smog and I also made sure to run my car on the freeway about 30 minutes and didnt turn it off when I got there to smog, I just pulled right in the bay...Thanks!!

[compactfean]

I don't know if they do visual inspection on your components ....they do here. You could probably pass without it but it does help alot. My buddy's old Chevy Co's we're through the. Roof. We put a air injection pump with a check valve and belt on it and cut his Co's down by 1000! We only have high and low idle tests here.

[GymkhanaS13]

Okay, so far tonight I have added 1/2 bottle of seam foam to the crankcase, drove for about 15 miles, but rev'ed pretty hard and let it idle quite a bit. Oil wasn't to dirty, but changed anyway. Changed the o2. Fixed vacuum leaks. Plugs look normal (replaced just before seafoam through brake booster.) Also cleaned the MAF...I didn't finish chasing down the exhaust leak, but I am hoping that is not my biggest concern. Overall, after I did the o2 and cleaned the MAF, she ran a little off at first, but I attributed this to the ECU learning the new o2 and clean MAF...After 10 minutes of idling and then the 15 mile drive on the freeway, she started running wayyyyy better!!! I have a smog appointment tomorrow. I was going to run more Heet (2 bottles in my 1/4 tank.) Is there anything else I should be concerned about? I need my s13 back and do not need to spend any extra loot just so I can pass emissions. Thanks again everyone!!

[GymkhanaS13]

I ran smog again yesterday and failed!! I completed the following before I ran:

Seafoam intake and crankcase
Changed oil and filter after seafoam
Changed o2 and spark plugs after seafoam
New Plug wires, Cap and Rotor
TPS was out of spec so I adjusted that
Coolant temp sensor was replaced within 15k miles and still looks brand new
I also added another bottle of Heet to my less than 1/4 tank of 87 octane gas

Here are my results if anyone can add some input!! It doesn't really seem like the results are that much better considering the work I did. Thanks everyone!!

[Kon036]

High hydrocarbons means you're running rich. You need to find that exhaust leak. An exhaust leak, especially before an 02 sensor can give it false readings. If your sensor sees any outside air it will think its in a lean condition and will try richen your afr to compensate.

[compactfean]

High hydrocarbons means you're running rich.

Not true. Hydrocarbons are a result of Ignition failure and there are many reasons for Ignition failure. Yes running rich can cause high hc readings but only really rich running rich will affect carbon monoxide Levels first. If your looking to see if. Your running rich look at your Co numbers. You are correct about the exhaust leak pre o2 sensor.

[Kon036]

Thanks for clearing that up. I assumed since he stated the engine was running fine and with acceptable c0 and c02 levels that the high HC content warranted a rich condition.