HELP! I flunked emissions.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 6
From: Highlands Ranch Colorado
HELP! I flunked emissions.
Passed everything except the HC readings. The description for high HC is result of unburned or partially burned fuel. Here are the facts:
1.It passed last year but between now and then I gutted the cat and advanced the timing slightly. After this inspection I was planning on going to true duals because I'll be done testing for 5 years. I don't want to replace the cat.
2.I bought the car from a guy in California but I have not done any adjustments to the carb, once again I was hoping to wait untill I did the exhaust work and maybe a cam change.
So help a extreme amatuer out, what's easiest and best way just to get past this emissions problem?
Will a tune up fix the problem, plugs, wires that sort of thing?
I believe I have to take it to a mechanic so that they can sign off that some work was done and I want to have an idea what I need. Any other ideas extremely appreciated.
Thanks :cheers:
1.It passed last year but between now and then I gutted the cat and advanced the timing slightly. After this inspection I was planning on going to true duals because I'll be done testing for 5 years. I don't want to replace the cat.
2.I bought the car from a guy in California but I have not done any adjustments to the carb, once again I was hoping to wait untill I did the exhaust work and maybe a cam change.
So help a extreme amatuer out, what's easiest and best way just to get past this emissions problem?
Will a tune up fix the problem, plugs, wires that sort of thing?
I believe I have to take it to a mechanic so that they can sign off that some work was done and I want to have an idea what I need. Any other ideas extremely appreciated.
Thanks :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: phoenix az
Re: HELP! I flunked emissions. (Ken's 78)
The gutted cat may be problem. One way to lower the HC is to retard the timeing. I know this sounds counterintuitive but appearantly what happens is, the fuel air mixture continue to burn as it travels down the exaust tract more completely burning the mixture. It may also help to turn up the idle and rejet to smaller primarys. I do this on my carter AFB by simply swapping out the rods. I have to go through this every year. I change jets, idle it up, retard timeing, add a bottle of isopropyl alcohol to the tank, and remove the air cleaner element. It will run hotter with the timeing retarded so you may have to watch the temp. I still have my cat though and I'm not sure what effect the cat has on HC. The cat is used, as you must well know, to convert CO to CO2. I have been told that the cat can also help to reduce HC, must have something to do with the heat aiding in more complete comsumption of fuel. Anyway, thats what I do and I squeak through every year.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: HELP! I flunked emissions. (BubbaJJ)
All the above, plus get catalytic converters on the car. Also do a compression test--dry AND wet to see whether you might have a leaky valve. You may also have some carbon buildup that is affecting your compression ratio.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 72
From: Near Raleigh NC
Re: HELP! I flunked emissions. (Ken's 78)
Random Tech makes a replacement cat (replaced my 81) and with it's no restriction, it made a big difference. I added rapid fire plugs to mine. Should work to clear up and get you past the mark if nothing else is a mis. :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: HELP! I flunked emissions. (The Dude)
Isopropyl alcohol will do it for a lot of situations, especially if you are not too far over.
I'd throw a few bottles of drygas into half a tank of gas.
:seeya
I'd throw a few bottles of drygas into half a tank of gas.
:seeya
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Re: HELP! I flunked emissions. (Ken's 78)
If you get MULTIPLE TRIES to pass, just do the timing first. I went from a 800ish HC to 180 JUST by changing timing. That is the easiest thing to do, give it a shot. MY $0.02. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,630
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro,TN
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: HELP! I flunked emissions. (Ken's 78)
Ken,
I failed emissions in my 78 Pace Car and did the following:
Went to the local auto parts store and got a can of SEAFOAM. Poured 2/3 of the can in the gas tank and filled the tank. Went home and poured the remaining Seafoam through the carburetor while the engine was running. Let the car sit for 20 minutes. Started it up, drove it on the highway for about 20 minutes to heat it up. Drove into the emissions test facility and passed with flying colors!
Here are the results:
Reduced HC from 593 to 145 (Limit 400)
Reduced CO From 4.58 to 1.81 (Limit 4.00)
CO2 from 9.63 to 12.58
I was skeptical when I was told this would work, but the results speak for themselves.
Hope this helps,
Dave
I failed emissions in my 78 Pace Car and did the following:
Went to the local auto parts store and got a can of SEAFOAM. Poured 2/3 of the can in the gas tank and filled the tank. Went home and poured the remaining Seafoam through the carburetor while the engine was running. Let the car sit for 20 minutes. Started it up, drove it on the highway for about 20 minutes to heat it up. Drove into the emissions test facility and passed with flying colors!
Here are the results:
Reduced HC from 593 to 145 (Limit 400)
Reduced CO From 4.58 to 1.81 (Limit 4.00)
CO2 from 9.63 to 12.58
I was skeptical when I was told this would work, but the results speak for themselves.
Hope this helps,
Dave
