Resolved SMOG

[scuba1x]

Failed California smog test.
A few months ago changes plugs, wires, O2 sensor, air filter, changed oil about 2 weeks ago. Results below with a few gallons of E85:

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Car had previously had a computer issue (cap fail leak, pcb damage) and was running really rich for a while. I changed computer with a stock mitsu and it fired right up and runs fine.
I had run a few tanks of injector cleaner prior to smog and the oil change.

Fail is HC at idle..

Any help appreciated!

 

[waltah]

Doesn't that look like a catalytic converter that's dying? It's supposed to burn excess HC to CO2 and does so at 2500 when it's hotter but at idle, not quite enough.

At idle (failed condition) you've got lower CO2, higher O2, and slightly excessive HC -- like the cat's just not burning enough. And running rich is a cat killer.

Unfortunately the California cat converter for these cars is jaw-dropping $expen$ive.

 

[scuba1x]

I think your right....
It probably damaged the cat when it was running rich.... I got quotes for a new cat today and it's going to be about $550......

 

[mitsubishikid]

Did you clean the egr ports out, could also be vacuum leaks boost leak test will help identify any leaks, also did you drive the car around a bit to heat up the catalytic converter before the test, i usually do like a decent highway drive before i take it in to smog get the converter nice and hot.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

I have a used cat and downpipe I am wanting to get rid of... literally you can just have it for free. Unfortunately I don't think I can ship it. How far away from the bay area are you?

 

[steve]

Make sure the front O2 sensor is good. If it's old and lazy it may not be switching until it get really hot.

 

[scuba1x]

I did a boost leak test already, no leaks detected.

I drove the car about 40 miles on the highway before the smog.

The car sat from 2018 to late 2021 and when I fired it up it had some valve noise.

Changed the oil to Redline 5w-30 and the noise went away immediately.

The O2 sensor was changed last year, but not with a top tier sensor.
I think I will swap it out with a name brand sensor today.

I am going to change the PCV valve out today, since the PCV is original.
I will pull the EGR and check condition.

I am going to clean all the grounds and battery terminals today as well.

The car hasn't been driven much since the computer swap and I think I'll go on a long highway drive tomorrow (200-300 miles round trip).
I am going put in a bottle of cataclean before heading out.

I think in the end it will probably turn out that the cat was damaged when it was running rich, as the inside of the tail pipe is totally coated with thick black soot/carbon.

I installed the Megan racing all SS 3" turbo back exhaust around 2002 and really like the sound/ performance.
Would hate to have to change it out for a smaller California approved 2.25".

I would really like to have it pass with the existing cat, but not sure if that's possible.

After doing all the above I will go for a long drive (200-300 miles) and then I will retest on Monday/Tuesday and update.

I thought the e85 would have been a sure bet, I think the ratio was near 1:1.
The station I filled up at had a sing stating e85 was 70% minimum ethanol.
Wondering I I can increase just fill up with E85 for the test and would it make any difference?

Which spark plugs do you recommend? Non-resistor or higher heat range? I think I have BPR6ES in there now.

Want to get this car back on the road (I miss driving it).

I have a ton of upgrade mods that I purchased a quite a while back that I would like to get installed after passing smog (1200cc injectors, wahlbro 255, AFPR, FMIC, EVO 3 turbo, Evo 3 exhaust manifold, dsmlink 3, ect).

All responses/suggestions appreciated!

I live near Santa Cruz and work in SJ.

Dusty-

Do you know the mfg and part number on the cat (should have a part number on the cat).

If so, I can look it up on the CA aftermarket catalytic converter data base ( it has to be approved for engine family listed on the under hood emissions tag).

Let me know, maybe this is an option.

Thanks!

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Dusty-

Do you know the mfg and part number on the cat (should have a part number on the cat).

If so, I can look it up on the CA aftermarket catalytic converter data base ( it has to be approved for engine family listed on the under hood emissions tag).

Let me know, maybe this is an option.

Thanks!

I will def look it up when I get home from work today. I do know it was pulled from another GSX as well as the downpipe but I cant remember the year it was. I will keep you updated.

 

[gst-turbo]

I also have a cat and I’m In the Bay Area pm me it’s got 40k miles on it no smog required for me

 

[scuba1x]

I will def look it up when I get home from work today. I do know it was pulled from another GSX as well as the downpipe but I cant remember the year it was. I will keep you updated.

Thanks!

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Sent a DM

 

[Mello]

I thought the e85 would have been a sure bet, I think the ratio was near 1:1.
The station I filled up at had a sing stating e85 was 70% minimum ethanol.
Wondering I I can increase just fill up with E85 for the test and would it make any difference?

E85 (any ethanol fuel) is still a hydrocarbon fuel. Adding ethanol will not cause a change in HC emissions but without having a way to adjust your fuel trims will make you run leaner depending on how much ethanol is added. Ethanol is less energy dense than gasoline.

 

[scuba1x]

Changed air cleaner, PCV, plugs, O2, and drove about 350 miles on the weekend with 2 bottles of G2P....
Will change the oil, fill up with 89, and do a emissions pretest....If it fails, then I will have to replace the cat....

 

[mitsubishikid]

I changed my front o2 on my last smog but i seafoamed it before doing that just to make sure i did not gum up the new sensor it says o2 sensor safe on most products, but i figure why buy new only to gum it up fast so do any cleaning before the new o2 sensor just to stay on the safe side.

 

[scuba1x]

I also have a cat and I’m In the Bay Area pm me it’s got 40k miles on it no smog required for me

Thanks!

Called around to the local muffler shops and they want $800-$980 out the door (after looking up the engine family code).
That's way too much......

Took the time to visit the CA aftermarket catalytic converter database: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/AftermarketParts/catalysts

I price checked each "approved" cat.
Found the lowest price cat @ Magnaflow @ $372.
They are running a 20% off March sale so it dropped the price to $297.
Ordered it and found a shop that will install for $80 labor only......

Cat should arrive next week....

I will update after smog test.

Thanks for all response!

 

[scuba1x]

UPDATE: Had the cat installed yesterday and went for a long drive.
Took the smog test this morning and pass with almost no emissions!
Got my tags!

Thanks to all who responded to this post!

 

[CrackedDSM]

UPDATE: Had the cat installed yesterday and went for a long drive.
Took the smog test this morning and pass with almost no emissions!
Got my tags!

Thanks to all who responded to this post!

Congrats! Also big thanks for following up instead of just ignoring the thread!