the FD failed MD emissions test today and I'm looking for ideas, either on what my problem may be and/or hints how to pass... I used to know what all this stuff means, but it's been a while...



here's the details:



1993 R1 bone stock except for a RB dual tip cat back

car has been running wonderfully since I replaced the Intake Air Temp Sensor

I go through maybe 1 quart of oil every 2500-2800 miles

average about 18-21 mpg when not driving like a jackass



I drove the car at highway speeds for around 20-30 minutes before going to the test station to get it nice and warmed up



test results:



----------------Hydrocarbons (HC) Carbon Monoxide (CO)

State Standards--1.1000 GPM------- 20.0000 GPM

me-------------------2.0211 GPM------- 36.5474 GPM



------------Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

State Standards 2.3000 GPM ----------------N/A

me -----------------0.7465 GPM ------------427.2142



When the guy was driving it I could hear the engine bog some, like he was shifting at an insanely low RPM...



any ideas would be appreciated

 

do you have an air pump ? is it on the car ? clogged cat ?

 

Air pump is on the car and not sure about the clogged cat, I wouldn't think so, but that's really just based on how well the car runs



maybe it's high time I just take it to someone who knows more about FDs that I do and have 'em give the whole car the once over...

 

make sure the air pump is plugged in. usually you get # 's that high with zero emissions equipment. i'd say air pump not working or cat is messed up or something emissions related crapped out ACV, etc

 

Thanks Vosko... I'm going over the whole emissions section in the manual right now, trying to figure out what I should be checking next right now I'm really wishing I had a garage... I hate it getting dark so early

 

Your problem is your taking it to to nice of an inspection station. Bring it down to PG county and you can refuse them driviung your car where you just get the funnel test. Then if you are still having problems the brothas always smile at $20's . Scoff if you will but this trick works. Just ask Rikki how he passed emissions with a straight through exhaust. :bigok:

 

Drew, did they give you your printout of your failure?



See my page at



http://www.zeroglabs.com/rx7/emissions.htm



for my experience.



I think it's going to be either an ACV or weak/not working air pump problem as Vosko suggests.



You could try running denatured alcohol like I did to pass, but you really shouldn't need to resort to that if you have the factory emissions, airpump, etc.



You have the right to ride IN the car with them when they test, and I always do this. You can ask them real nice to drive the car a certain way and they will sometimes help you out. Keep RPM low, and don't use any boost at ALL. If they are driving it nicely, it will not hit boost on the MD test.



Do you have any mods which may hurt your emissions such as bigger secondaries or an upgraded ECU?



Regards,

Brian

 

an easy way to pass is to put in a couple of bottles of alch... not the drinking kind just off the shelf rubbing stuff...only use about 2 on half tank..you shoud be good I used that trick on my turbo 2.5 subie...and with NO cats

 

Thanks for all your replies guys... after taking a look at everyone's ideas and taking a look at the car I'm guessing bad ACV and/or cats... the cats are both original and I'm real close to 94K at the moment...



this is what I'm planning on doing:



-check ACV and air pump

-install the downpipe I got the other day

-order and install a Bonez high-flow cat

-replace the o2 sensor when I do the CAT and DP

-plugs only have 3K on them, but I have a spare set and a spare set of wires, may throw them on as well

-replace anything else found to be bad

-throw in some alchohol for good measure

-go test again

-have a beer