DSM Emissions are Killing Me!

[JoshMaddog]

OK First The Facts. I have a 1997 Talon TSI AWD recently purchased. It has 215000 miles on the motor. The ECU has the not ready issue. I replaced the head gasket (oil leak). Replaced the stock turbo (Bad Seals, Major play) with an evo3 big16g. Replaced Plugs, Oil, Filter (both air and oil), The belts are new, and since the turbo swap the smoke has disappeared. I have talked to both the local DMV, and EPA. The DMV gave the shop a code so they gave me a tail pipe test instead, and the EPA told me I have an exemption for the not ready codes, but according to the shop this still means I need a tail pipe test. Well after all the good times I've put in to the car already I can't pass the sniffer because my hydrocarbons are at901 at idle, and 360 at 2500rpms, the max is 220. The engine was warm when tested. None the less I'm to the point where I cant get it registered, so I cant drive it, so what do I do now? I'm getting to the point where the family wants it gone, so you guys are my, and its last hope.

 

[Splitpi]

New front O2 and Cat?

 

[GsxEcutioner]

OK First The Facts. I have a 1997 Talon TSI AWD recently purchased. It has 215000 miles on the motor. The ECU has the not ready issue. I replaced the head gasket (oil leak). Replaced the stock turbo (Bad Seals, Major play) with an evo3 big16g. Replaced Plugs, Oil, Filter (both air and oil), The belts are new, and since the turbo swap the smoke has disappeared. I have talked to both the local DMV, and EPA. The DMV gave the shop a code so they gave me a tail pipe test instead, and the EPA told me I have an exemption for the not ready codes, but according to the shop this still means I need a tail pipe test. Well after all the good times I've put in to the car already I can't pass the sniffer because my hydrocarbons are at901 at idle, and 360 at 2500rpms, the max is 220. The engine was warm when tested. None the less I'm to the point where I cant get it registered, so I cant drive it, so what do I do now? I'm getting to the point where the family wants it gone, so you guys are my, ant its last hope.

Under the table , or Let it stay on for a good couple hours then have it tested......

 

[JoshMaddog]

So a new front o2 and cat... Fun. not hard to do though... So does that mean all of you have to do tail pipe tests?

 

[wimploki]

Replacing your front o2 sensor is no harder than replacing your oil. As for the cat, your car already has a great amount of mileage to it. It's a good suggestion to replace your cat as well.

Just a heads up...I recently passed my emission test w/ the help of a fellow tuner lending me his cat (my original cat would not pass).

Another thing to check for is your timing. Make sure that it's properly done. You could also try the liquid additives from autozone (guaranteed to pass stuff).

Good luck

 

[JoshMaddog]

Yeah not a hard item to replace, but not as cheap as the oil filter. I'm showin 119 on Extreme PSI for an oem. at least the ceramic high flow is only $67, IS the high flow going to work as well as the oem?

 

[Avionixx]

Yeah not a hard item to replace, but not as cheap as the oil filter. I'm showin 119 on Extreme PSI for an oem. at least the ceramic high flow is only $67, IS the high flow going to work as well as the oem?

It'll work fine as long as it's a ceramic core catalytic converter; people tend to have a few issues with the metal cores.

 

[daren_p]

Yeah not a hard item to replace, but not as cheap as the oil filter. I'm showin 119 on Extreme PSI for an oem. at least the ceramic high flow is only $67, IS the high flow going to work as well as the oem?

Where are you looking at high flow cats? Make sure its a proper high flow cat & not one of those cheepo Ebay ones, as half of them aren't even cats, their just basically resonators. No a high flow probably won't work quite as well as the stocker but you shoudln't have any issues passing with one either, especially in an awd (don't have to do a "loaded" test). I passed with flying colours with a 3" high flow cat & evoIII. I have since passed with cams, larger turbo & I'm fwd. So as long as the other items are up to spec, you shouldn't have an issue with a high flow cat.

With that high of milage your cat may not be functioning correctly but I know numerious guys that have passed with their awd's without any cat at all. Start with the small things like O2, have you made any fuel related changes & if so what are you using to compensate for them? Did you have clean oil? Were the spark plugs & wires in good condition? Did you go for a nice hard drive to get everything heated properly first? What octane gas were you using? (to reduce your HC's you may want to try a lower octane if your using 93 or 94 etc)

 

[JoshMaddog]

Where are you looking at high flow cats? Make sure its a proper high flow cat & not one of those cheepo Ebay ones, as half of them aren't even cats, their just basically resonators. No a high flow probably won't work quite as well as the stocker but you shoudln't have any issues passing with one either, especially in an awd (don't have to do a "loaded" test). I passed with flying colours with a 3" high flow cat & evoIII. I have since passed with cams, larger turbo & I'm fwd. So as long as the other items are up to spec, you shouldn't have an issue with a high flow cat.

With that high of milage your cat may not be functioning correctly but I know numerious guys that have passed with their awd's without any cat at all. Start with the small things like O2, have you made any fuel related changes & if so what are you using to compensate for them? Did you have clean oil? Were the spark plugs & wires in good condition? Did you go for a nice hard drive to get everything heated properly first? What octane gas were you using? (to reduce your HC's you may want to try a lower octane if your using 93 or 94 etc)

The CAT is on extreme PSI, I know that ebay is crazy for knock offs., We replaced the plugs, the wires looked good, but I might as well switch them to. The oil is squeaky clean synthetic. I thought everything was warm before it was tested, It still has the 87 octane in it, best utah has to offer is 91-92. which I will be bumping up to if it passes ever.

 

[Splitpi]

has the 87 octane in it

Be careful running that low of octane gas while on boost. Its fine as long as you aren't boosting the heck out of your car... but with boost comes the need for premium gasoline.

Do the O2 sensors first. Buy an O2 socket and some PB Blaster (penetrant) and a breaker bar. Enjoy hours of cussing to get it off. (I used an impact wrench and cheated).

Once off. Install the new one.

Note:... DO NOT put penetrant on an O2 sensor wish to keep. The chemicals can destroy the sensor. So clean the area around the old sensor thourghly before installing a new sensor. Also put a "little" high temp anti-seize on the thread of the O2 sensor being careful not to get any on the tip. Also, it may help to remove the sensor while it is hot.... but obviously hot can burn....

 

[JoshMaddog]

I agree, but thats whats in it, and it will get 91-92 when it gets empty. however I am breaking in the new turbo, so it wont see much boost yet anyway. I am planning on getting a new o2, and cat. Do you know if it is a wide band stock o2 sensor, just by the number of wires on it, I wonder?

 

[Splitpi]

Do you know if it is a wide band stock o2 sensor, just by the number of wires on it, I wonder?

Its Narrow Band 0-1V sweep. DSM's don't come with WB.

Also, when you ran your test, did you have new or old gas? Put new gas in it before trying again.

 

[JoshMaddog]

ok, yeah the gas has been in it for a bit, I'll give that a try as well. Thanks for all your help, you guys are the only thing keeping this project level headed. now if only I could keep the family off my back. Where is that forum?

 

[keithscianna]

Guaranteed to Pass Emissions Test Formula (12 oz.)

Use that stuff, It worked great for me!

 

[JoshMaddog]

Cool, Looks like I have a shopping list:

New O2 sensor

New Cat

And a bottle o' guaranteed to pass.

If this doesn't work Jiffy Lube is gettin there @$$3$ Kicked.


Take that Jiffy Lube------------------>

Joshy

 

[Turbo Talon DL]

What about running lean fuel trims? Running lean reduces CO and HC's but increases NOx emissions. Do they sniff for NOx? Im lucky I dont have emissions, i'd fail.

 

[gpptsi]

What about running lean fuel trims? Running lean reduces CO and HC's but increases NOx emissions. Do they sniff for NOx? Im lucky I dont have emissions, i'd fail.

Thats a great I idea I always lean out my fuel trims an extra 15% on ideal and 18% at 2500 just for good measure.

My Brother passed his E-Test a few years back with NO CAT, just leaned out his fuel trims the guy was to lazy to look under the car for a CAT !!