Need Emissions Tips... here are my results

[Massiv]

So, I finally have to register in my province of residence (Ontario), and lose my US plates on my car. (Thanks Metro Toronto police... :rolleyes: )

ANYWAY, just got my car emissions tested, and it failed.

Here are the results:

21868

RPM @ 40km/hr: 2155

The information I received with my Fail, says this:

Possible Causes of high HC during Driving Test
-vacuum leaks [I think not]
-Ignition system malfunc [all seems good]
-faulty ECM or O2's [dunno about those O2's]
-Faulty air injection system [huh?]
-Internal engine problem
-Failed catalytic converter [very doubtul]

I'm running MSDS headers through a fairly new Magnaflow/Car Sound 3" cat. I don't think it's the cat though, because what *is* burning, is burning completely (low CO, NO). I guess the HC's are unburnt fuel? FYI, running brand new Denso Iridium IT20's right now. Put them in yest to replace aging NGK TR6IX Iridiums. Qualitatively, car feels more or less identical, and the NGK's I pulled out looked to be in great shape. It's $20 per retest... I *could* swap in new Motorcraft double-plats and give it a shot. Or O2's... or that stuff in auto stores that guarantees a pass...

Air filter could use a cleaning, but could/would that affect it? Car seems to be running fine, although mileage and perceived power may be a touch lower than when I built it (40,000km/25,000 mi ago).

THOUGHTS? HELP? Gotta pass very soon, and there's no conditional pass avail for me.

[b]Massiv.

P.S. For those who forget, my 3L is a hybrid 11.2:1 P&P heads, cc-work, on a 04 Escape 3L block.

[Massiv]

Thinking about rear-bank O2 sensor. Reason is, I thought the rear bank plugs I pulled yesterday looked a little whiter than they should (very light side of tan), indicating leanness, I believe. Dunno why above they say a vac leak could cause high HC's... but perhaps overleanness can?

Massiv.

[CougarGT]

HC's are hydrocarbons. Typically a FAIL on HC would be a rich condition; some slow o2's could be a cause of this.

Did the idoits leave the car in 2nd gear on the 40kph run?

[fordrule]

is ur car chipped? do u have mil eliminators on the bottom 02 sensors. i bought those and my cel went away for that.

the o2 sensors aree seeing too much flow because of the headers

[dyed4ordblue]

My guess....When you put in headers, you took out your pre-cats(small cats, helps burning unburnt fuel). I would think if you took out those, you would have to compensate, by maybe adding another cat? DanG, NorCalCoug, please help, you guys are Duratec gurus. I would like to know the answer cuz my car is registered in MD (live in VA) and I'm supposed to have emissions tests every 2 years, but haven't (slipped through cracks? please, please, please, please!!)

[RodneyBur]

I had problems with passing an echeck in a 93 Cavalier. We spent about 300 replacing every emisions component on the car and giving it a good tune up. It still failed. We took it to a repair shop that specializes in E-check repairs. He put on a "double cat". Apparently it is some special cat used to clear up emissions. I'm not sure about the specifics, but it worked. It cleared everything up and we passed.

You might try that. Or talk to a repair shop. The cat would run about 100 buck or so.

Note: Thats the easy way to pass, not the correct way. I'd still try to get it figured out AFTER I passed.

[DemonSVT]

CougarGT nailed it. The number one cause for high hydrocarbons is running too rich.

If you have not done anything to change your idle and moderate load parameters (chip, injectors, MAF, etc) then I would ask if you had cleaned the manifolds recently.

[fordrule]

sounds like it needs to be tuned. turn off the bottom 02 sensors. ask mike (norcalcoug) they did a 00 CSVT to pass CALI smog and it was a hybrid

[Massiv]

Ok... the car is setup with an Arizona Dyno Chip chip, tuned to my parameters (stock MAF, 19# injectors, etc). I have not cleaned my manifolds since I built the engine 1.5 years ago, and nearly 40,000km... Could dirty manifolds cause a rich condition?

I will try to post pics of the rear bank plugs vs. front bank plugs. The rear bank plugs are noticeably lighter (whiter) than the front bank plugs. Not SHOCKING, but noticeable. Could be an O2 on either bank as well. I will datalog the car very soon, and post back on findings.

Thanks guys,

Massiv.

Massiv.

[warmonger]

Ok... the car is setup with an Arizona Dyno Chip chip, tuned to my parameters (stock MAF, 19# injectors, etc). I have not cleaned my manifolds since I built the engine 1.5 years ago, and nearly 40,000km... Could dirty manifolds cause a rich condition?

I will try to post pics of the rear bank plugs vs. front bank plugs. The rear bank plugs are noticeably lighter (whiter) than the front bank plugs. Not SHOCKING, but noticeable. Could be an O2 on either bank as well. I will datalog the car very soon, and post back on findings.

Thanks guys,

Massiv.

Massiv.

It doesn't help to have anything restricting airflow, but the PCM will only add fuel for the what the maf is telling it is coming into the engine or what the O2 sensors are reading.
It is a very slight amount that you are failing by, try putting in stock heat range plugs for one.

Then I hate to say it, but an SAFC would work well for you to just lean out the car a tad bit over those RPMS just for testing purposes. I mean a 5% reduction with an SAFC from 1000-3000 rpm should just about do it for the test. Then later when you go to a dyno or get a wideband you can just tweak your A/F later with the SAFC a little to get it where you want it rather than paying for reburns. So I'm saying it will help you with emissions now, and be of assistance later too.
And I'm suggesting it because they are cheap.

[Massiv]

Good suggestion. I've begun to think that part of the reason for the higher HC's, is that although the IT16/IT20 is the recommended Denso part, the gap is SLIGHTLY smaller (0.044), esp versus my slightly wider NGK's (the gap opened up a touch due to wear). So, I'm thinking it might not be working as well as the plugs I pulled out, and the computer was dumping fuel for those, and I hadn't reset it. (I just put the denso's in the night before the test).

So... a computer reset and motorcraft plugs will be in for Try #2 (I get two tries, at $17/try). If not that, then I'll use the guaranteed pass stuff you throw in the tank. Anything past that, I will definitely use the S-AFC (thanks warmonger!), as I'd been thinking of getting one for a long while, and just haven't done it yet!

Massiv.

[StealthyWeasel]

keep us updated, im curious about seeing 3L's pass emissions.

[mond12345]

keep us updated, im curious about seeing 3L's pass emissions.

Some have already passed.

[fordrule]

even the california 3L and hybrids are

[StealthyWeasel]

oh kick ass:banana:

[cougarprophet]

the address on my lisence is in northwestern ontario so i dont have to get it tested....even though i actually live in kitchener for 95%....i just use my parents address to avoid the inspection

[Massiv]

Bah... Restest #1 failed.

Still the HC's are the cause. Things I changed:
-A resonator is now welded in behind the cat. This was done for sound (TOO LOUD before), but the exhaust shop felt it may have the added benefit of slowing down flow through the cat
-Put in half a tank of 87 octane, on top of my 91 octane. Should make it ~88-89. My thought was, faster burn = less unburnt fuel.
-Computer now fully adjusted for denso's.
-Bottle of injector cleaner in the tank (halfway through)

Failed with a 107 out of allowable 60. WORSE, than my 87 before.

Still thinking the Denso's are the culprit. Went to change those out for stock plugs on the weekend, and on the first plug, the stupid rubber thing that holds the plugs fell out of my plug socket, so haven't changed these yet. Going to tonight, though.

So for retest #2, I will have:
-Fresh tank of 91 octane
-Fresh motorcraft plugs
-Chemically cleaned manifolds and combustion chamber (Mopar combustion chamber cleaner stuff)
-Cleaned air filter (shouldn't matter)

If that fails, retest #3:
-New upper O2 (I suspect the rear bank, but will datalog first to see which is off)
-Bottle of guaranteed pass stuff

If that fails, retest #4:
-17lbs injectors
-Remove ADC chip

Massiv.

[mond12345]

Good luck!

[StealthyWeasel]

thats scary.. good luck!

[weargle]

Your best bet is to find a "friendly" shop and grease a palm.

[Massiv]

Your best bet is to find a "friendly" shop and grease a palm.

You're probably right. If the motorcraft plugs don't fix it up, I think that might be my next step.

Check it out... just checked with a friend of mine who also lives in my area and has a nicely built 3L.

My HC limits are 60ppm at 40km/hr, and 150ppm at idle. These limits are determined by VIN. He has an SVT Contour. HIS limits, as set by the Ontario government, are 300ppm at 40km/hr, and 300ppm at idle!!!

Not only that, but his readings were in the 200's for BOTH! So my car is far cleaner, yet is still being failed, despite the CSVT and Cougar coming with nearly identical engines. WTF!

Massiv.

[jaged]

my 3L passed yesterday. Didnt get any numbers for out put though.