Another NC Newb With Questions

[nexus08]

Better cats and a new CTS should definitely help you pass. And you shouldn't need an EGR valve to pass emissions, it might have helped marginally but it shouldn't make you fail.

And for reference, when you do the emissions vacuum trick, you aren't supposed to plug any of the the vacuum lines. You unplug a vacuum line and LEAVE IT OFF so that it creates a vacuum leak, essentially leaning out the A/F mixture so that you pass. Your emissions values will go wayyyy down because of this. That's why you aren't supposed to rev it above like 2.5-3k rpms while the vacuum line is off.

I'm going to try one more time to get my point across then give up on this.

Smog tests are different depending on what state you live in. Some states only test for CO and VOCs when they do sniffer tests. Based on the data he showed, his state tests for NOx too. It will be harder to pass the NOx test without the EGR.

If the vacuum trick leans the mixture down that will help with CO and VOC for sure. But a leaner mix burns hotter making NOx go up DRAMATICALLY.

Yes, better cats will help, but I'm not sure it will be enough.

Anyway... that's my 2 cents.

[nexus08]

t.mcginley.jr do you know if NJ tested your car for NOx and if so what was the level it had to pass? Like I said earlier, I don't know for SURE it won't pass without the EGR in Arizona. If they did test for NOx and you did pass that is good info to share.

[1Dreamer]

I didn't know that trick would make the heat raise, but I guess I didn't really even think about it.

I think with the three components I'm replacing I will have a pretty good chance of passing. Every z guy I know here has passed emissions without the egr system in their car, pitstop stated they normally take them out when they have a car with it installed. So I wouldn't stress the egr too much.

[nexus08]

I didn't know that trick would make the heat raise, but I guess I didn't really even think about it.

I think with the three components I'm replacing I will have a pretty good chance of passing. Every z guy I know here has passed emissions without the egr system in their car, pitstop stated they normally take them out when they have a car with it installed. So I wouldn't stress the egr too much.

If by "here" you mean in Arizona.. actually more accurately in Phoenix as they have much tougher standards than most of the rest of the state... then great that is good to know.

But if you mean "here" as in on this board, like I said the vast majority of states do not test for NOx, only VOC's and CO. In fact my state, NC, doesn't require any tailpipe testing anymore... just OBDII. Since my Z is too old to have OBDII, it doesn't even have to do that.

Again good luck with it!

[1Dreamer]

By here I meant Phoenix, thanks though man.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Sorry for the late reply, they did in fact test for NOx in NJ when I had my car inspected. Yes I did pass without having an EGR valve. Since it's OBDI they have to stick the probe in the tail pipe. They run it at idle for 1 minute and then at 2k rpms for 1 minute (called fast idle test).

I just went back to my own thread from when I was having all these same problems, but I don't think I ever failed for NOx, just CO and HC. I can try looking for the paper they gave me to see what my numbers actually were before/after. I went a total of 3 times, failed the first 2 and did the vacuum trick on the the third. I'm almost positive though that I didn't fail NOx on any of them, probably because my cats were new and I took it on the highway for like 15 minutes to make them good and hot.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Also as a side note, my car actually has the AIV system still intact. I'm not sure how much of an impact this had on the emissions though.

[1Dreamer]

No aiv for me.

Here I. Phoenix there's no idle test the actually put the car on a sumo and run it up to like 60mph or so. The follow like a rpm line and keep it on the line as close as possible.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Hmmm well in that case I'm not sure I'd run it with the vacuum trick... it might lean it out too much. I mean if they're only slowly getting up to 60mph they might not get above 3k rpms so that would be fine. It's not like they're on a dyno flooring it right? lol

So does Pheonix have their own special inspection stickers or something? Like you can't go to another part of AZ to get it done?

[nexus08]

Sorry for the late reply, they did in fact test for NOx in NJ when I had my car inspected. Yes I did pass without having an EGR valve. Since it's OBDI they have to stick the probe in the tail pipe. They run it at idle for 1 minute and then at 2k rpms for 1 minute (called fast idle test).

I just went back to my own thread from when I was having all these same problems, but I don't think I ever failed for NOx, just CO and HC. I can try looking for the paper they gave me to see what my numbers actually were before/after. I went a total of 3 times, failed the first 2 and did the vacuum trick on the the third. I'm almost positive though that I didn't fail NOx on any of them, probably because my cats were new and I took it on the highway for like 15 minutes to make them good and hot.

Great info. Thanks!

[1Dreamer]

Hmmm well in that case I'm not sure I'd run it with the vacuum trick... it might lean it out too much. I mean if they're only slowly getting up to 60mph they might not get above 3k rpms so that would be fine. It's not like they're on a dyno flooring it right? lol

So does Pheonix have their own special inspection stickers or something? Like you can't go to another part of AZ to get it done?

I'm not even sure, haven't thought to try that. But I don't think they get passed 3500rpms but I don't really remember.
I don't think I'll do the vac trick because it was teated @idle in the webpage.

[nexus08]

Any updates?

[1Dreamer]

No updates. I've been trying to find someone to let me borrow their cats since I can't afford them due to moving, I've found that that is not an easy task...

After picking my car up they had it idling at around 18k rpm...literally double to where it was before I left it at pitstop...they said they changed the timing to about 12 degrees, I'm not sure how they are ao sure without my idler pulley or whatever having a timing mark on it...

Queationable to say the least...but soon as I can either but some cheap (good) used cats or borrow some, I'll have an update.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Hmmm well in that case I'm not sure I'd run it with the vacuum trick... it might lean it out too much. I mean if they're only slowly getting up to 60mph they might not get above 3k rpms so that would be fine. It's not like they're on a dyno flooring it right? lol

So does Pheonix have their own special inspection stickers or something? Like you can't go to another part of AZ to get it done?

I'm not even sure, haven't thought to try that. But I don't think they get passed 3500rpms but I don't really remember.
I don't think I'll do the vac trick because it was teated @idle in the webpage.

I would hope they don't go above 3500 rpms assuming they are steadily climbing up to 60mph. At 3500 rpms on the highway I would be doing 85-90 mph lol (my car is auto)

And the idle should definitely not be at 1800 rpms. Timing should be at 15 degrees, so if it really is at 12 that wouldn't mess up the idle but the car will have less power. Sounds like a bad idle control valve, or the idle screw isn't adjusted right.

[1Dreamer]

5mt..but like I said I doubt it...

I doubt it's the icv because it would idle steadily at 8-9k before I dropped it off at pitstop...but I'll check the screw later today depending in my energy level after work...

How can you tell if the idle screw is adjusted badly? Will it just simply be loose?

[t.mcginley.jr]

Turning the screw in will lower idle rpm while turning it out (counter clockwise) will raise rpms. It's possible they have it turned all the way out.

How to properly adjust your idle

[1Dreamer]

Thanks

[1Dreamer]

Unexpected, but good update, thought not really helping the cause much for future users with the same issue (yet)...


So me and my lady have been planning to move out if our apartment for a while now, and last week we confirmed and legitimized a home about 30 minutes outside of town in Maricopa. Little did I know was maricopa is an emissions exempt area, so, with that being said, I'm off the leash as of now (not for certain) as far as emissions go...

I'm pumped because it was gonna hurt for me to buy the catalytic converters this month with the move and paying my daughter school and everything.

[nexus08]

Unexpected, but good update, thought not really helping the cause much for future users with the same issue (yet)...


So me and my lady have been planning to move out if our apartment for a while now, and last week we confirmed and legitimized a home about 30 minutes outside of town in Maricopa. Little did I know was maricopa is an emissions exempt area, so, with that being said, I'm off the leash as of now (not for certain) as far as emissions go...

I'm pumped because it was gonna hurt for me to buy the catalytic converters this month with the move and paying my daughter school and everything.

Wa la!!! Congrats.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Unexpected, but good update, thought not really helping the cause much for future users with the same issue (yet)...


So me and my lady have been planning to move out if our apartment for a while now, and last week we confirmed and legitimized a home about 30 minutes outside of town in Maricopa. Little did I know was maricopa is an emissions exempt area, so, with that being said, I'm off the leash as of now (not for certain) as far as emissions go...

I'm pumped because it was gonna hurt for me to buy the catalytic converters this month with the move and paying my daughter school and everything.

Well that's one solution haha

[1Dreamer]

Yea, talk about an unexpected turn of events haha