Failed inspection

[SrMichi]

 

hey so I got a job and was able to insure the lumina. Well I went to get it inspected and it fail. So what could be causing the high HC ppm?

[RobertISaar]

here's a little guide i came up with after lots of reading on teh webz...

 

Too much timing causes high NOX and high HC

Too lean causes high NOX and high HC

Too rich causes high HC and high CO and low NOX

EGR helps remove NOX and cools exhaust valves

EGR can increase HC/CO(diesel only?)

CCP/PCV is to reduce atmospheric HC by burning it in the motor...

 

judging by that, i'm guessing you have E10 fuel mandatory where you're at? that would cause the lean issue that can cause high HC. especially since at idle, depending on the mask, the ECM will ignore the O2...

[SrMichi]

Located in lyndhurst NJ. Also car just came out of hibernation two weeks ago and has only been driven on weekends. Don't know I that matters.

[RobertISaar]

http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_guide_ethanol_laws.html

 

new jersey apparently doesn't label when ethanol is added...

 

consdiering CO and CO2 stayed relatively the same, but O2 was considerably higher at low idle, you're definitely running lean...

[SrMichi]

So what do I do to correct it?

[Artemis]

Was the engine cold when they tested it? Car should be run a few minutes before the test begins to get the emissions related equipment working like it should.

[RobertISaar]

So what do I do to correct it?

 

find fuel that doesn't have ethanol in it? or find a way to remove/nullify it?

 

other than that, if you don't have tuning capability, i don't know what to tell you.

[SrMichi]

Yeah i drove like 15 miles highway to get to the inspection station. But I have notice that the temp gauge never really gets to the middle it just stays between the quater and half section.

[SrMichi]

So the gas is causing me to fail inspection?

[tornado_735]

Try dumping a can of Seafoam into it before you go get it re-tested. That might help, or it might not. Either way it won't hurt anything.

[SrMichi]

I was thinking about seafoaming it tomorrow and changing thermostat and going again to see if it will pass.

[RobertISaar]

So the gas is causing me to fail inspection?

 

not really. it's GM's awesome idea of basing idle fueling off of IAC counts instead of VE numbers and the O2 sensor at idle(you can switch it to act normally if you can tune it though)... but since the O2 reading is so high, and fuel with ethanol in it burns leaner than straight gasoline, the gas isn't helping...

[SrMichi]

That bullshit so how the hell do I pass inspection if I can't find fuel without any ethanol in it.

[mra32]

get a few gallons of race fuel?

[RobertISaar]

get a few gallons of race fuel?

 

assuming it doesn't have some funky oxygenate in it that messes with the cat's ability to keep CO and HC down, that MAY be the way to go...

[SrMichi]

Where would I be able to get race fuel?!?!?

[RobertISaar]

http://www.rockettbrand.com/dealernetwork/network.html#newjersey

???

[RobertISaar]

do they check for aftermarket chips? if not, i could burn you a chip at cost that actually looks at the O2 at idle...

[mfewtrail]

How's the idle on that car? A small misfire, vacuum leak, etc. can cause the HC to be too high at idle. It also wouldn't hurt to try to measure the temp of the engine since you mentioned the gauge seems to indicate low. If it really is too cold, that can cause it as well.

[Crazy K]

Tstat = easy to do. two 13 mm bolts, and a new tstat goes in.

[mra32]

this is what we use, if you choose to go down that route.

 

http://www.sunocoinc.com/site/Consumer/RaceFuels/260GT100Locations/

[oscar_wilde]

Have you checked to make sure vacuum routing is proper, the EGR is not borked from mileage/sitting, the oxygen sensor is clean and working, spark plugs are gapped properly and working right. It didn't seem like your readings were horribly off, so maybe just getting the routine maintenance all covered and try again. Could there have been old gas in the tank?

[SrMichi]

I don't think they check for chips. I'll change thermostat and check vacuum lines. All of the routine maintenance was done 15k miles ago if not less. About he old fuel I have filled up once already Ill try dumping some sea foam in the remaining fuel. If everything checks out and it still fails I guess I'll try sunoco.

[RobertISaar]

Have you checked to make sure vacuum routing is proper, the EGR is not borked from mileage/sitting, the oxygen sensor is clean and working, spark plugs are gapped properly and working right. It didn't seem like your readings were horribly off, so maybe just getting the routine maintenance all covered and try again. Could there have been old gas in the tank?

 

stuck shut EGR would show up as high NoX(but i actually don't see that listed...), but it's not commanded on at idle anyways.

[oscar_wilde]

Would an old fuel filter cause it to run slightly lean?