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Failed Emissions - High NO; What now?
Topic Started: Aug 11 2014, 09:13 PM (1,664 Views)
TimmyD
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A Metro Driver

Everything else was well below emission specs.

NO reading was 500 ppm higher then specs at 15 mph and only 50 ppm below specs at 25 mph.

I've never had a car fail emissions, so I'm at a lose here as to what to do.

What are the steps I need to take (check) to get it to pass. This is the last year it needs to pass emissions too. Next year it gets waiver because it will be 25 years old.

Vacuum lines? Spark plugs? Timing? Tune up? Tune up??? Its getting 41 mpg !!!

Thanks for your input.
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David95237


Have you checked your EGR passages? The purpose of the EGR Is to lower the NOx
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96Geoman


If the car is not running lean and the EGR is ok, the Catalytic Converter might need replacement

http://geometroforum.com/topic/4834217/1/
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Woodie
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Retarding the timing will reduce NOx, but it will increase unburned hydrocarbons, so it's a trade-off. If you're talking about the 99, then there is no timing adjustment, you're screwed.

New cat will almost certainly fix it, but that's expensive compared to turning the distributor.
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TimmyD
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A Metro Driver

Thanks guys.
It's the '90 Swift that failed.
I'll check the EGR, change the plugs and set the timing.
...probably sometime during the week or next weekend.
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econoboxer
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I am the one on the left.

In my car, that was freshly tuned up- Ireplaced O2 sensor, then ran it 20 minutes on freeway so it was warm, then it passes just fine.
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cwatkin


Keep in mind that a plugged EGR will not always trigger a code. The best check is pressing on the diaphragm at idle with the car running. If the engine stumbles and/or dies, that is a good thing. If no or little change, it is plugged up.

Conor
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TimmyD
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A Metro Driver

cwatkin
Aug 12 2014, 11:03 AM
Keep in mind that a plugged EGR will not always trigger a code. The best check is pressing on the diaphragm at idle with the car running. If the engine stumbles and/or dies, that is a good thing. If no or little change, it is plugged up.

Conor
Since I don't know how old or if it has ever been cleaned / replaced, I'm just going to pull it, clean it up and see what comes out of it.
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cwatkin


Be aware that simply cleaning the valve won't always fix it. You will want to make sure the passages through the head and intake are also clean. This may involve removing the exhaust manifold too. Simply removing and cleaning the valve will do nothing for the rest.

I used a stranded cable on a drill and it was like coring out a coal mine. These things can really carbon up.

Conor
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TimmyD
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A Metro Driver

cwatkin
Aug 12 2014, 11:43 AM
Be aware that simply cleaning the valve won't always fix it. You will want to make sure the passages through the head and intake are also clean. This may involve removing the exhaust manifold too. Simply removing and cleaning the valve will do nothing for the rest.

I used a stranded cable on a drill and it was like coring out a coal mine. These things can really carbon up.

Conor
Sounds like what I will first need to do is check that when I remove the EGR value, I should start the car and make sure one port is providing vacuum (sucking) and one is providing pressure (blowing). Prior to checking it I was planning on just running one of these through the ports:
Posted Image

If the ports are functioning correctly I 'might' be able to get by on just cleaning the EGR.

If not, I'll have to go further and dismantle the intake & exhaust to clean them out.

...well there goes most of my Saturday.
Edited by TimmyD, Aug 15 2014, 10:50 AM.
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TimmyD
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A Metro Driver

...well, it can't be the EGR because I do not have one - if I do, it looks nothing like a typical EGR value should look.
Is EGR Cali emissions only? Seems like it according to the FSM.

Posted Image
I've looked for the last 1 hour, reviewed my FSM for my Swift and been on both GeoMetro and Team Swift forums.

The sticker under the hood sez 6 BTDC - I see what it is currently set at and go 2 degs pass that.
I'm also going to put new spark plugs in it and run some 89 octane thru it while using this:
Posted Image
Just need it to pass it this one last time - after that it gets a waiver for being over 25 years old.
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

Move out of an emissions state. Come to Arkansas where polluting the air is the state pastime.

Heck, TimmyD, after seeing your TB, it is no wonder why your failed emissions. Clean that TB and find the reason why it is building junk up on it.
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TimmyD
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dayle1960
Aug 16 2014, 10:30 AM
Move out of an emissions state. Come to Arkansas where polluting the air is the state pastime.

Heck, TimmyD, after seeing your TB, it is no wonder why your failed emissions. Clean that TB and find the reason why it is building junk up on it.
I thought they all did that. :D

Pulled the first plug...smells rich.

Can't move to Arkansas, I still can't decide if it should be pronounced ARK-CAN-SAW or ARK-KANZZIZ.
Edited by TimmyD, Aug 16 2014, 07:38 PM.
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Cubey
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Does VA not have a law that limits cost of repairs before you can get a waiver? WA has it where if you fail emissions and have at least $150 of repairs done by a shop and it still fails after that, you can get a waiver. My 93 alrady passed smog this year, so 2016 will be the last time it has to pass. My slight oil burning motorhome (Chrysler 5.9L 360 no cat conv or any kind of emissions control, never had any) is a 1978 and it didn't have to be smog checked when I moved here.
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TimmyD
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A Metro Driver

Cubey
Aug 16 2014, 11:01 AM
Does VA not have a law that limits cost of repairs before you can get a waiver? WA has it where if you fail emissions and have at least $150 of repairs done by a shop and it still fails after that, you can get a waiver. My 93 alrady passed smog this year, so 2016 will be the last time it has to pass. My slight oil burning motorhome (Chrysler 5.9L 360 no cat conv or any kind of emissions control, never had any) is a 1978 and it didn't have to be smog checked when I moved here.
I think the shop cost here is higher before the waiver.

Just got done setting the timing - it was way, way, way off.
I also had to adjust the idle after setting timing.

I'll drive it this week and pray it passes on Friday.

Been working on the other metros today too.
Edited by TimmyD, Aug 16 2014, 03:27 PM.
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