Hi all,

took the car for a retest - just got back.....FAILED again..

I reinstalled a 195 Thermostat
and retarded the timing to 3 degress BTC ( the manual calls for 6 degrees BTC

anyhow, my NOX went down from 2302 to 2102....still WAY OVER the allowable 1047....

without sounding childish ......THIS BITES....

I told the guy everything that everyone said here....had him doublecheck his work, etc.

now what ??.....my car does seem to be running hotter than it should.
somewhere between 210-220.

any ideas....now time for a new CAT?....

BTW, the guy told me he would "pass me" for $75.....

Kevin



[Modified by ksems, 3:05 PM 3/17/2002]

 

Replace your Air Check Valves. That's what it took for our 82 to pass.

 

Kev.

Man that does suck!!! Wish I could help, but it seems everyone has suggested everything that I have thought of already. Could the ECM be faulty, if that is so I think it would at least give some kinda code, But you said that there are no codes present. Can the ECM be bad without displaying any codes? Maybe it is the cat. Surely there is someone on the forum that can help.

Good luck
Trent

 

Aaron,

thanks - if you mean the little white plastic and silver valves - I did that
a year or two ago as well............:(

Kevin

 

you got it Trent ! - this sucks.....this is my second retest...the guy was nice enough not to recharge me. We get ONE retest for free then they start charging again.

My other problem is that I now have 2 days to get it right.....I cant even get the Converter from Random Tech that quick because the adapter will take a week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I may have to go get a Cat from Napa and pay $166 for a Cat that maybe isnt as good as Randoms'...........

I suppose I might as well get the Air Pump from Napa while Im at it....:mad:

Kevin





[Modified by ksems, 3:15 PM 3/17/2002]

 

That sucks Kevin. Sorry it did not pass...... If it runs good, I would pay the $75 and be over with it, it will probably cost more than that to get to pass. Unless it is something "simple" like your timing marks being way off you have major problems from the sound of things.

 

Have you tried a 3-way cat converter? Most are two-way (two chemical reactions). I've heard the 3rd is the NOx reduction. You may also want to verify that your EGR valve is working properly/plumbed.

I had to replace my egr after running over something and damaging my old 2-way unit. Went for a 3-way converter after realizing a past bubba that owned my car had welded my EGR valve shut. I had bumped up performance and the car stopped running so clean. While replacing the intake manifold, I found the 'dummy' EGR.

 

gerry -

the car does run real good.....I dont get it.

I suppose the backed up Cat causing combustion temps to be high is a possibility.... but jeez......how the heck can someone know this without
throwing money at it?........

I would like to fix the problem and know why it is doing what it is doing...
but Im out of time. I didnt do it early this year because it passed with flying colors last year....:mad:...........whatever.....

If I pay the guy I still wont know what is wrong and Ill go into next year wondering if I'll pass or not...........

Kevin

 

Ted - are all the new Cats 3 way?......like If i go to Napa and get a new one - is it probably a 3 way or just a 2 way replacement?

Thanks
Kevin

 

Pay the 75 bucks!

 

Kevin, with your time frame, I would pay and keep working on it. I have had a cat plug up on me years ago and it lost a lot on the top end. I'm not sure if you could just throw a three way cat on it or not and have it do any good but it might be worth a try. As I recall, our '81s had bead type cats which are real restrictive anyway. If you pay, don't just grab the most available cat and throw on it. Take the time and order a high flow since you do not have a deadline breathing down your neck.

Talk to the guy and see if you pay him off if you can get later runs on the machine (at a discount) to see if your work is helping the numbers. Does the smog guy have an infra-red heat sensor? If so see if he will get a temp from your cat and tell you what is normal. A plugged cat will run hotter. The guy may be willing to help you get legal if he has SOME morals (he can't have all morals if he takes a bribe). If you can, try to become "friends" with the smog person, he has the tools that will check your work. I know the smog people I go to and they normally do a pre-check for me before running the real thing, of course we do smog here every other year and I am lucky that I have five due at about the same time (my two newer ones are exempt for now). I even spend a couple cents more per gallon and buy gas from him once a week or so to say hi. Unfortunately, he can not be bought off but he will work with me to get something to pass.

 

FWIW;

I have the carsound cat. It is a high flow catalytic converter. Model # 93426 is a direct bolt on.
It has the bolt flanges that directly mate to the existing pipes. It was much cheaper than any other
advertised brand...

 

$75 :yesnod: :yesnod:

:flag

 

are you sure the egr valve is working?To get nox low..the 2 biggest things are the cat. and the egr valve...

 

well - I pulled up on the EGR valve while the car was running and the engine
stalled ( or actually came really close to stalling )....so the actual VALVE seems
to be good.
Im gonna head back out today and look around - .......again.

I have to pass today !!....last chance.:mad:

Kevin

 

the other thing to check is the temperature controlled vaccuum switch that directs vacuum to the EGR valve - the valve itself may be working but it may not be getting the vacuum it needs to operate properly. - the switch is located near the front of the intake either on the thermostat housing or next to it. they are inexpensive - you might just replace them anyway.

 

 

why are you running so hot? I would get that resolved and you will pass easily.. :yesnod:

 

ylose -

I think you are right......

I have a 195 thermostat and set the timing back and its running over 210 all the time.....

I looked at my egr valve as well.. the rectangular port in the manifold has alot of gummy carbon residue.

kevin