Ok 3rd time I failed a state ref inspection in California..

[meliketoball]

3rd time I failed..I went in this morning with ONE gallon of 87 in my tank, all stock parts on and failed. Maxium is 54 HC and I measured 73 HC.

I changed and cleaned various parts related to the emission system. I clean/replaced such things like the alternator, cleaning the EGR, running fuel additives and driving the car for a while to heat up the cat. etc.

I did everything I can think of except going under the car and replacing the cat..I was thinking about replacing it and upgrading it as well with a high flowing cat.

I was quoted a high flowing cat and 3 inch cat-back piping for 370 customly done and installed at a local muffler shop. Good deal?

On the phone, the guy told me that for 1997 cars don't have a high flow cat application. I was confused due to the fact that I see it on other 2gs here as well and that my cat is being monitered by an o2 sensor..

He also told me that if he does put it on, there will be no warranty if the cat fails and that made me ponder if the high flow cat will pass smog..

So yeah, I am asking to the fellas who live in California went in and passed smog with a high flow cat and cat-back exhaust because I am sick of going in multiple times paying 30 bucks every 2 times..

So let me know!

 

[slowgsr]

high flow cats typically don't pass smog, they are just there for a visual you know? Off road use only.

you have to much unburnt fuel in your exhaust, this is why your HC's are high, you could TRY adding some more timing.. It will increase the combustion temperature and possibly have more of a complete burn, less timing has a lower combustion temperature and a less complete burn and alot of heat energy goes though the cylinder walls into the coolant instead of out the exhaust, or you may be running too rich.

Often why turbo engines tuned by inexperienced tuners on a 'safe' tune, experience overheating because there is too much timing retard.

Replace the cat with a proper replacement A high flow isn't going to cut it for emissions testing, Cats are also expensive for proper replacements as you will find.

Good luck.

 

[crimsondragon]

Have you seen any improvement when you cleaned the parts? I doubt it's the cat but I would look into timing as well. Why did you choose to go with 87 octane instead of 93? That'll cause knock and pull your timing back automatically by the ECU.

 

[SOADweskey]

Well 93 isn't an option in California but I would have ran it on our version of premium which is 91.

 

[slowgsr]

Have you seen any improvement when you cleaned the parts? I doubt it's the cat but I would look into timing as well. Why did you choose to go with 87 octane instead of 93? That'll cause knock and pull your timing back automatically by the ECU.

Might cause knock under full load conditions, i highly doubt he will get knock with 87 on anything less then 3/4 load, and i don't believe part of the testing requires any WOT conditions, well ours doesn't anyways.

 

[Avionixx]

I would have run with 91 octane as well and when you do the retest, make sure it's with 91. Replacing the cat would really have to be a last resort, since you're only barely failing.

High flow cats are fine, as long as you get a 'real' high flow cat with a ceramic honeycomb monolith; not hollowed out shells or the metal core type. I passed with a 3" high flow cat, so it's definitely possible.

 

[FFTec - jerry]

Hello,

What's the reason why your car wont pass? Is it just too high of HC levels? I asked my friend who has a test only station. Basically, your problem is you have an incomplete combustion. You will need to change a few things on the car to make sure you are getting a complete combustion cycle, such as new plugs, wires, and a new cat (there are high flow cats that are OBDII CA compliant). Before the test, drive the car around hard, heat it up well. Before the test, do not shut the car off, just let it idle. Keeping the car idling will keep it hot, and before the do the test, rev the engine a few times to heat it up some more. I hope this helps you out...

By the way, if you are going to the ref, you can do a pretest at almost any smog station for a smaller fee just to see if things are testing cleaner.

jerry

 

[Avionixx]

I just noticed he has a FWD, so he's on the rollers during the test. Have the smog guy put you in the lowest possible gear during the 15 and 25mph sections to keep the RPMs up.

The pretest is a good idea, but I've seen cars that pass a pre-test and fail the actual test for reasons beyond explanation, so you might as well try out for the real thing!

 

[meliketoball]

I didn't pass because of high HC readings. I put a gallon of 87 in because I thought it would compensate for the high HC out of high octane fuel.

The first test I took had a HC reading 130+ or so. The second, I replaced such parts like the plugs, plug wires, ran seafoam and "G2P" fuel additives and various other things. The second test read a 84 HC count and the maxium is 54 @ 15 MPH.

After performing cleaning/replacing parts, I lowered it a little more but still not passing. Today, like what I said above, read a 74 HC count.

If my timing is off or some reason not burning the fuel all the way, wouldn't 87 octane help with giving it a more complete burn? Since 87 octane and whatever low octane fuel have high flash point thus reducing HC count.

And plus, I don't know how to fiddle with the timing departement..keekeetz.

(Just so you guys know, I fail @ 15 MPH roll and pass BARELY with a 50 max and measure 50 @ te 25 MPH roll.)

What else can I do? Wouldn't a high flow cat lower the HC readings to be passable? My car is stock but is a high mileage motor (194,xxx)

 

[Avionixx]

If you're absolutely sure that's the stock converter on the car then maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to "finally" replace it. They're not considered wear items, but if it really has close to 200k on it then I would definitely reconsider.

Magnaflow and Catco make good high flow cats, just don't pay too much for one. I got a 3" Catco high flow cat from Dejon complete with welded mounting flanges and gaskets for a little over $150.

 

[meliketoball]

I want to replace it but, from what people are saying about the high flow cats are this and that and making me reconsider because one I don't want to retest the state ref inspection and two, the high flow cat is expensive. Grrr!!!

I only have till the 25th to go back to traffic court and show them the pass certificate or pay the 400 dollar fine.

 

[ApexVIII]

i ahev the same thing to high hydro carbons, i have a a highflow, but mine is a 95.

can any one tell me(pm me please) what 3" cat will pass smog??

 

[meliketoball]

Ummm, I was wondering if I purchase a blow torch from target and heat up the cat before the test would work? I don't really want to beat the car in police infested freeways and main streets.

 

[bboyalan]

i just did a smog test for a title transfer about two weeks ago and fell close to failing due to HC measurements as well. just like your situation, i had measured 87 [max 87] for the 15mph and 37 [max 52] for the 25mph. Luckily, i passed however.

back to my point. i changed three things afterwards that might have contributed to the high HC reading... spark plugs, ignition cables, but MOST importantly, my water temp sensor. i noticed previously that the temp. gauge wouldn't rise up normally [always remained at the bottom 1/4 or less]. it turns out that w/ the faulty readings, more gas was injected to supplement the supposed "cold engine". w/ that said, you get the picture heh.

not sure how your sensor is, but just thought i'd share for what it's worth. good luck!

ps: the car was completely bone stock!

 

[meliketoball]

WTF?!?!?! My max is 54! Yours is way high and you live in So-Cal??? Omg! My water temp is fine. The water temp was 198-202 degrees. I replaced the spark plugs not even 2000k ago and the wires are 8mm Accels. All is good with ignition.

 

[x98awddsm]

just get a new cat. not to sure about the high flow cats. (got a high flow from FFTEC guess ill find out in a couple of months if it will pass) anyways my GS eclipse wouldn't pass smog either until i replaced the cat. after that i had really good numbers.

 

[Avionixx]

Ummm, I was wondering if I purchase a blow torch from target and heat up the cat before the test would work? I don't really want to beat the car in police infested freeways and main streets.

Blow torch would take forever and probably only heat up a portion of the converter. You have to remember, if the hundreds of mini combustions inside of the converter can't heat it up enough, what more a torch that is heating from the outside through a metal shell?

If you really can't beat on it, then just stay in 2nd gear and ride around at near redline before the test. It's loud, but you won't break any speed limits. Or you can just sit and rev it while waiting for your test; it'll annoy people, but who gives a crap? Personally, I think this is your best shot; costs next to nothing and I've seen it work on several occasions.

 

[meliketoball]

haha. That'll be a maybe; I am gonna go for a high flow cat and upgrade the exhaust while at it to 3 inches.

 

[meliketoball]

Well today I went in for the 4th time with a brand new magnaflow high flow cat-converter. I failed...I ran the car pretty hard before the test with a fun mountain run..thought I heated up the cat good but I guess it didn't cut it.

I measured 60 HC and the maximum is 54..holy shit. Missed by 6..

To make things more worse then going back 4 times is that when I told them that I just put in a new cat, the ref took a look at it and got the series number. It is a 43000 magnaflow high flow cat series. He looked it up and told me that its not specifically made for California..its only OBD II 49 State compliant but not California compliant..my heart dropped and I ####ing put down 300 for a new cat, ended up failing and to add to that was told that I need to take it off because according to the book, the year 1997 cars don't have cats for the year and...ugh. I am so sick and tired of California. Jesus Effing Christ.

 

[bboyalan]

damn dude... that's tough news to break. have you considered borrowing someone's stock cat + catback? or perhaps the whole sha-bang? sadly, that's what us cali guys must go through.... pass emissions testing and THEN you're worry-free until the next one =/ [unless you get pulled over and checked or some shit]

 

[pickens]

You are burning oil buddy.That's why your HC count is high. Two options - 1.) Put on a brand new cat and drive straight to the smog place 2.) Fix the burning oil issue (probably the turbo).

 

[Avionixx]

You might want to consider applying for the Consumer Assistance Program to help cover some of those costs you're incurring.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdfforms/cap_app.pdf

Keep trying because you'll pass.

 

[jrcramer1]

easier way to fix that. find someone in arizona that you know and justt go register it there they dont have any inspections. and you can do all the mods you want.

 

[Avionixx]

Or just have it registered in a county in California that doesn't require smog inspections; our old service writer used to do that with his Cobra.

 

[AndrewD5418]

high flow cats typically don't pass smog, they are just there for a visual you know? Off road use only.

you have to much unburnt fuel in your exhaust, this is why your HC's are high, you could TRY adding some more timing.. It will increase the combustion temperature and possibly have more of a complete burn, less timing has a lower combustion temperature and a less complete burn and alot of heat energy goes though the cylinder walls into the coolant instead of out the exhaust, or you may be running too rich.

Often why turbo engines tuned by inexperienced tuners on a 'safe' tune, experience overheating because there is too much timing retard.

Replace the cat with a proper replacement A high flow isn't going to cut it for emissions testing, Cats are also expensive for proper replacements as you will find.

Good luck.

Umm... RRE offers a high flow cat that WILL pass you.