Aircare/Smog Test - New to DSM

[kadinga]

Right, so after picking up a 93 Talon TSI 2 days ago, dropping in a little Guaranteed to Pass engine cleaner with some 91 on nice 190km/h highway passes I failed aircare (that's canadian for "smog test"), but only when the turbo initially kicked in. The results clearly show HC and CO going through the roof during the higher acceleration portions of the test but going down to almost nothing at speed. Yes, I did the research before posting and found many people in a similar situation with a few solutions. Before I throw money at this, is there any diy tips that can save my wallet or even sneak me through with clean results? I personally suspect 02 sensors, cat and mafs.
Less important side note: I expected the stereotypical whine of a turbo when running flat out. Instead, I get a rumble and the car pulls like none other between 3.5K-6K rpm. Anything below reminds me of my old Accord and anything above feels way restricted.
Cheers, this whole Talon thing is really starting to grow on me actually.

 

[Artago]

Hey man welcome to the DSM world. I had a problem with air care as well. I tried O2, cat and all the usual suspects which HELPED but couldn't get it to pass.

Eventually here's what I did to get it to pass. Disconnect the wastegate actuator arm and use some wire to pull the wastegate flapper arm so it keeps the wastegate open. This will prevent your turbo from spooling and help you pass air care.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[vancitydsm]

Well 3 of us have dsms and live in the lower mainland. Air care will be gone in 3 years. I'm a mechanic , I have my air care certification . I just passed an eclipse that was failing almost 5 fold on hydrocarbons and CO, the NOX was like nothing. His problem was a number of things. How was the idle test? If you can do a turbo system leak test. Search for how to do that. Do you have a bipass valve system or do you have an after market Blow off valve? How is your airfilter? can you post how much you failed by and the 3 gases, I will have a better idea. Grab a canadian tire set, probably be like $100.00 or so. Or if you want just grab a spark plug tool kit. Take out the spark plugs and see how they look. Describe them or compare them to pictures on google somewhere. How do your wires look? Again, I will have a better idea if you post your readings. The catalytic converter in general cleans all gases quite a bit. Think of a cat as a janitor, cleaning the mess that left behind but it can only do so much. Your oxygen sensor also does quite a bit with aircare, the O2 sensor is probably second most critical part on your car to effect readings. You guys smoke cronic or what? I'm high right now.

 

[vancitydsm]

If you can do a turbo system leak test. It pressurizes the turbo system and you are able to check for leaks. The problem with turbo leaks is that the Mass air flow sensor has already accounted for that air, and thus the air that has leaked the computer has adjusted the fuel for it.On an earlier post buddy mentions removing the wastegate arm. It would most likely work if you have a boost leak. Hydrocarbons are unburned gas molecules meaning that if you have a miss fire or a huge turbo leak you will get much hydrocarbons. CO is partially burnt gas. A plugged air filter for instance will create CO or a rich mixture which is still combustable.The octane booster will help on both hydrocarbons and CO mostly not NOX, but even then its not gonna make too much of a difference. Also make sure you have alot of gas in the tank before adding a bottle of that stuff.

 

[kadinga]

HC - 1.2934 max - .5
CO - 16.4569 max - 9.32
NO - 1.2263 max - 1.24
At any constant speed emissions were real low but HC and CO esp would spike under heavy accel, but would go way down again @ high speed. Am I getting some weird misfire + crazy rich mix under high load or what?????? Maybe the vibration/rumble is caused by the same thing? I wouldn't know as I'm new to dsm. New air filter and chopped box for easier flow. Haven't had a chance (aka long enough extension) to take out my plugs yet but I predict they'll be a little black. I'm running stock the stock recirc bov. I hear an atmospheric dump sounds sweet but really robs you of power and economy because the ecu throws in extra fuel on shifts to compensate for the extra air. I'm going to a mechanic I know next week for opinions and hopefully solutions. Then I'll be tackling the ever so resrictive exhaust and intake system. I can't believe the pressure even @ idle. I can only imagine the force at 7K rpm.

 

[kadinga]

One more thing, I can't honestly say my fuel economy is the greatest either. I know this thing was built for power but come on! Every couple hours I have to grab another 1/4 or 1/2 tank.

 

[vancitydsm]

bring your car to a shop

 

[vancitydsm]

what pressure at idle?

 

[kadinga]

By idle pressure I just meant the amount of air coming out the rear even when she's just idling. A lot more than my old Honda I'll tell you that much.

 

[Artago]

If you can do a turbo system leak test. It pressurizes the turbo system and you are able to check for leaks. The problem with turbo leaks is that the Mass air flow sensor has already accounted for that air, and thus the air that has leaked the computer has adjusted the fuel for it.On an earlier post buddy mentions removing the wastegate arm. It would most likely work if you have a boost leak. Hydrocarbons are unburned gas molecules meaning that if you have a miss fire or a huge turbo leak you will get much hydrocarbons. CO is partially burnt gas. A plugged air filter for instance will create CO or a rich mixture which is still combustable.The octane booster will help on both hydrocarbons and CO mostly not NOX, but even then its not gonna make too much of a difference. Also make sure you have alot of gas in the tank before adding a bottle of that stuff.

Yup.

HC - 1.2934 max - .5
CO - 16.4569 max - 9.32
NO - 1.2263 max - 1.24
At any constant speed emissions were real low but HC and CO esp would spike under heavy accel, but would go way down again @ high speed. Am I getting some weird misfire + crazy rich mix under high load or what?????? Maybe the vibration/rumble is caused by the same thing? I wouldn't know as I'm new to dsm. New air filter and chopped box for easier flow. Haven't had a chance (aka long enough extension) to take out my plugs yet but I predict they'll be a little black. I'm running stock the stock recirc bov. I hear an atmospheric dump sounds sweet but really robs you of power and economy because the ecu throws in extra fuel on shifts to compensate for the extra air. I'm going to a mechanic I know next week for opinions and hopefully solutions. Then I'll be tackling the ever so resrictive exhaust and intake system. I can't believe the pressure even @ idle. I can only imagine the force at 7K rpm.

Sounds like a boost leak to me Either get/build a boost leak testers and fix all the leaks or disconnect the wastegate arm. I suggest the first option but if you don't have a lot of time then go for the second. Your car will pass air care but it wont run strong until you get rid of the boost leaks.

Tom

 

[kadinga]

Haha, run strong? Sry, I have to laugh because this thing pulls so much harder than anything I've ever driven. Even after crushing my bov and hacking/porting the mafs and air filter housing today the power gains HUGE compared to a similar style mod on my previous car. Much smoother power band and boost spike/creep is practically nonexistant. My stock boost gauge isn't reading full boost even @ 6K rpm wot. I'm taking her to a shop owned by my pop's friend so I'll relay all the info and insights.
thx a ton btw!

 

[ivan300]

I apologies this is a bit off topic but, I noticed all of you guys are from bc. We have a car club called BCDSM British Columbia DSM Club - Index I dont think ive seen you guys around. You guys should join we have meets almost monthly and its always great to see new faces.


On topic, what we did for my bros supra was add 25% methanol to the gas tank and it took down his HC by 50%

 

[Artago]

I apologies this is a bit off topic but, I noticed all of you guys are from bc. We have a car club called BCDSM British Columbia DSM Club - Index I dont think ive seen you guys around. You guys should join we have meets almost monthly and its always great to see new faces.


On topic, what we did for my bros supra was add 25% methanol to the gas tank and it took down his HC by 50%

Yeah that works too. Or kerosene.

I know about BCDSM and I have an account but I rarely visit the site. I would be down for coming out to one of the meets. That is after I get my car running right

Tom