Didn't Pass Emissions

[Marvinh626]

I have a 1996 Eclipse gst and I recently got a ticket for an emissions retest. I went about a week ago and didnt pass. The catalytic converter needs to be oem, the air filter has to have numbers(never heard of that), and the BOV needs to be stock(where could i get a stock BOV??? and what numbers on the BOV??? wtf???). It also didnt pass because at 15 mph the HC (PPM) measured at 81 and the max is 56. It passed the 25 mph at 35. The car is completely stock except for the catalytic converter which is universal, air filter, greddy BOV, and some people say i have adjustable cam gears which came with the car. I was wondering if you guys think that if I change all those parts my car will pass or if I would need some other stuff changed.

 

[romeen]

It sounds like the inspector you got was a real hardass.

The numbers for the air filter refers to a CARB Exempt number, basically meaning that the product has been approved for legal street use by the state of California. Many companies make CARB Exempt products, like K&N, AEM, and others. It's also possible that your filter had the sticker fall off, you can try checking with the manufacturer.

For the BOV try checking junkyards or friends. Stock 2G BOV's are not desirable and it's possible someone might give you one. I would it I still had mine.

 

[Raph]

run the car really really hot before the test.. then have em test it. tell them your cat was replaced because the oem one was defective.

 

[Talesin]

Is the BOV properly recirculated? Have you done a boost leak test? Vacuum leak test?

Sounds like you've just got metered air getting out somewhere. Heating up the cat will drop your NOx, but won't really help with a high HC count. Have you replaced your front O2 sensor recently? If it's dodgy, that could be one cause.

Take it to another inspection station if possible.. the guy was just being a bit of a dick, but then most of the CA inspection stations have been hiring asshats by the boatload. Does it need to be a proper road inspection, or just a check-out at a test-only? If the latter, go to another TO shop. And if your BOV is vented at the moment, get that damn recirc tube back on. Car won't run right without it, on the stock MAS.

 

[Cs4g63]

It isnt required that the cat is an OEM numbered cat. It is required that you have the correct style cat for your car. OBDII for a car that is OBDII. Most muffler shops will just throw a OBDI cat on instead of the correct OBDII cat because its cheaper. By doing that you will be screwed when you get your smog check done.

 

[Marvinh626]

The BOV is properly recirculated, i havent done the boost leak or vacuum leak test. I will do these things and check the O2 sensor. And it has to be a proper inspection they gave me a number to call to make appointments for inspections. I'am however going to try another one in another city.

 

[Marvinh626]

Also I did run the car HOT, the NO numbers were 229 with a max of 443.

 

[DSM4me44]

Man, emissions testing isn't that bad around here. I took my car in without a cat

They didn't used to use those mirrors at the place around here, well they started, whoops.

I thought i might be able to get by, by running it a little lean and because its AWD, they just tailpipe sniff it for a bit. As far as anything else they don't even look. A cat is required thou..

 

[rcrullamas]

emission in Cali sux..your problem is the universal cat, they dont work as well as the stock cat. i was in the same boat as you last yr got a ticket and only the state ref can sign off on it. i had a CARB sticker for my K&N air filter and he ran the number its only for 95-98 it didnt cover 99 so that was a waste. the ref even knew my BOV wasnt stock even tho it was connected to recirculate. i had to put everything back to stock, air filter, BOV, and exhuast.

My dad owns a muffler shop and he was telling me that most Cat converters now needs to be OBII compliant or it wont pass smog and High flow/universal cats will not pass CA smog laws. Jus for this reason i saved all of my stock parts jus incase i need to go to the state ref.

 

[Marvinh626]

Yeah California Emission checks are the worst! I'm in the process of putting on all the stock parts, the only problem is that when i bought the car it didnt come with the stock parts.

 

[rich3389]

I just passed NJ inspection with my 02 sensor reading 0 volts all the time. haha

 

[chico904]

Honestly, Id look for a "side shop special" if you know what I mean...

 

[Defiant]

Once it's set up for referee in California, there's no shortcuts. And, there are no cheats. This is a different world than the sane one.