Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Posted ImageWelcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are features you can't use and images you can't see. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Join our community!




Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Need to shave 20 ppm more from hydrocarbon emissions; Failed Virginia emissions test
Topic Started: Sep 25 2013, 07:41 PM (6,503 Views)
BillHoo
Member Avatar


Geo Glenn
Sep 27 2013, 11:25 AM
There is no EGR valve on a 1989.

You're supposed to block the vacuum lines to the distributor when setting the ignition timing.

You do not need to jumper the wires on the connector. This procedure is for cars with electronic advance distributors.

Refer to the sticker on the bottom of the hood for timing specifications and procedures.

Thanks. I have not yet touched the timing. I was just curious to what it was set at.

As for the sticker, I already looked there. This is not the original hood (blue hood, red car) The sticker is for a Suzuki of unknown vintage.

Do I need to block the vacuum lines if I just want to look at the timing settings?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Coche Blanco
Member Avatar
Troll Certified

BillHoo
Sep 27 2013, 01:31 PM
Do I need to block the vacuum lines if I just want to look at the timing settings?
Yeah buddy.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

BillHoo
Sep 27 2013, 01:31 PM
Do I need to block the vacuum lines if I just want to look at the timing settings?
Yes, sir. There's also a centrifugal advance in your distributor. The idle needs to be right, otherwise your timing will be advanced.

I have a hood sticker on my '90 that's from a '91. Same systems, so it should be the same for your '89.


Posted Image

Posted Image
Quote Post Goto Top
 
BillHoo
Member Avatar


Coche Blanco
Sep 27 2013, 01:36 PM
BillHoo
Sep 27 2013, 01:31 PM
Do I need to block the vacuum lines if I just want to look at the timing settings?
Yeah buddy.
OK!

THAT changes everything! Thanks GG!

I Plugged both vaccum lines to the distributor (with my fingers) and ran the timing light.

Now it's somewhere between 12 and 13

.......... V
20 . . . . . 10 . . . . . 0


Does that mean I have room to advance it a bit more?
Edited by BillHoo, Sep 27 2013, 02:15 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

You've got it. Back the timing off to 6, and the idle will drop a little bit.

Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hanuman
"The Almighty Grounds Cleaner"

i once had a 1978 honda civic with the cvcc engine. it was soposed to get 43mpg......it got 18.
it burned 2 quarts per tank and smoked like crazy. the choke had to be 3/4 closed in order for the car to be driveable.

california made a new law that year, if a older car failed the smog test, they took the car and gave you $500.
so i went in for a smog test.
every time they changed rpm a cloud of black would leave the tail pipe...then return to white.
as luck would have it......
it passed.
it didnt just pass, they said its exhaust was so freaking clean it competed with brand new cars of the day (2001)
i had to keep the car.
one day the dash caught fire.
it was awesome, i could control the flames with the dimmer switch.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BillHoo
Member Avatar


Geo Glenn
Sep 27 2013, 03:00 PM
You've got it. Back the timing off to 6, and the idle will drop a little bit.

OK. So I'll fill it with REGULAR gas.

Drive it hard and fast for 30 minutes and time it so that I get to the station as the next customer.

Been scoping the testing station and find at 1:30 each day there is one car in line.

Before I get tested, I'll bring my timing light and tools and retard the timing down to 6? Or do I need to drive it hard at that setting?



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

You might want to get everything set the way you want it before you arrive at the inspection station, just in case you run into a snag.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Woodie
Member Avatar


Retarding the timing will exacerbate your problem.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
aaronvincent
Member Avatar
Mr Mojo Risin'

From my perspective I see two options
1. Just wait until January and tell uncle sam to bite you, vintage plates baybay!
2. Get rid of the awful decrepit thing, if you put tons of money into it and it still sucks...it may be time for the car to meet its maker. No geo is worth that amount of goose chasing
But that's just me :dunno
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BillHoo
Member Avatar


BillHoo
Sep 26 2013, 04:39 PM
Here's the report if anyone can come up with ideas

Posted Image

I put some fuel injector cleaner in the tank and took the car out for an 80 mile run hitting 70 at times. Runs real nice. Hard to make a dent in the gas tank since it's getting around 48 mpg!

I may have to siphon off some gas to get it empty and put in good quality REGULAR gas.

So here are some numbers to play with.

http://www.crypton.co.za/Tto%20know/Emissions/exhaust%20emissions.html

"1.0% partially burned fuel produces 200 ppm HC, 10%=2000 ppm HC, 0.1%=20 ppm HC )"


20 ppm is .1 percent of a 10 gallon tank or .001 x 10 = .01 gallons

A gallon is 128 ounces

.01 x 128 oz = 1.28 ounces per gallon that needs to be displaced to make up for that 20 ppm.

So for a 10 gallon tank, I need to displace 12.8 ounces.

Isopropyl alcohol is known to burn cleaner, hotter and help reduce HC.

Some folks use HEET gas line dryer to reduce emissions.

It happens to come in 12 oz. bottles.

So if I have less than a half tank of gas (about 4 gallons) and drop in a 12 oz bottle of HEET, my HC emissions should theoreticallyb be in the 255 range.

This would be without doing any further engine tuning.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Drop in about 4 gallons of E85.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
BillHoo
Member Avatar


Georgetown Sunoco in DC has E85. That's about 13 miles away.

I might check it out.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
snowfish
Member Avatar
Basic GearHead

Geo Glenn
Sep 29 2013, 09:42 PM
Drop in about 4 gallons of E85.
:thumb :+1 and don't be timid on the accelerator. :nfs
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

snowfish
Sep 30 2013, 10:17 AM
Geo Glenn
Sep 29 2013, 09:42 PM
Drop in about 4 gallons of E85.
:thumb :+1 and don't be timid on the accelerator. :nfs
:gp

:nfs

E85 is 105 Octone (RON+MON/2), but it burns more completely and more quickly than the usual hydrocarbon soup known as gasoline. My 50/50 87 octane and E85 recipe is 53.5% E85, which results in about a 50% mixture of Ethanol. 5.671 gallons in a 10.6 gallon tank, and fill the rest with Top Tier 87 Octane. Toss in a 10 ounce bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate for additional cleaning. You'll feel the kick.

Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Intake and Exhaust Systems · Next Topic »
Add Reply