Just failed the state emissions test: Reading 844 with a high limit of 712

No codes from the VCM

Did some searching and found that a likely cause is the EGR Valve. Thought about cleaning it versus buying new.

Any thoughts on other probably causes that should be addressed?

Also, I'm due for an oil change. Normally I would do it but I thought about taking it over and having to changed/inspected for this emission problem.

Anyone know the difficulty in diagnosing a problem like this? The guy from the Echeck station said that if I bring back a receipt of $300 or more, they would pass me no matter what...

thanks in advance

 

2 things, inop EGR with either failed EGR of carbon buildup in passages. or carbon deposits in the cylinders. EGR functional flow is a normal culprit. I would clean and just change while you have it off. I meen clean passeges out, not just EGR. you only alittle high. fresh oil is ALWAYS advised before an emmissions test on older tailpipe sniffed cars

 

Thanks - I'm taking care of it tomorrow. How long do you think i should I drive it before taking it back over to be retested?

 

youre not obd2 so there are no monitors to reset. you can go immediatly

 

If you are going to have a snif test make sure that the car is warm,cold exhausts can record over rich conditions.(on my 90 when cold failed after a 20 minute drive retested and passed)

 

You could always move. Where I live, no emissions prior to 94

 

Numbers have gone from 753 to 844 to 1012.

Have changed oil and cleaned egr valve. Looked for a new one but couldn't find one. Not sure why it keeps going up... They told me if I have $300+ in repairs they will pass it regardless.

I'll throw out the moving idea to my wife - I'm sure that will go over well...

 

Send me $300+ and I'll write you out a bill.

Check your air filter and the charcoal canister. I seem to remember Retro-Motors had raw fuel dumping out of his!

 

Checked the charcoal canister as well as vacuum lines and all seems to be in order.

Recently changed plugs, wires, rotor, cap, air and fuel filter.

Anyway basic method to check EGR valve? I pulled it and cleaned it but the manual says you need a vacuum gauge to ensure it is working properly (which I don't have).

Don't want to throw parts at it but am thinking the O2 sensor might be next in line - any thoughts?

I still don't understand why the NOx numbers jumped so high after doing things like cleaning the EGR and changing the oil.

 

Well I put a bottle of techron in the gas tank and sea foamed the engine today. I found an egr valve that I will probably order. Once that is installed, I'll get the echeck done again.

If that doesn't do it, I'll probably go with a new catylitic converter. After spending that kind of money, I'll get a passing mark either way...

Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

this should probably be another thread but if anyone has a quick answer: I can't get air out of the center vents. Ive tried all combinations (ac, heat, all other options) and nothing changes. Have done some searching but didn't find much.

Thanks

 

what I've done to fix this on other cars is run a can or two of seafoam. usually one in the tank, one in the pvc valve. It will smoke really bad, don't let it suck enough to kill the motor, but it will clean out all the crap. Then once that is done, pull the charcoal and see how bad it looks.

 

Thanks for the reply. I ran seafoam through the engine with the techron but it didn't pass. I waited on the egr valve from jaguar but it didn't arrive in time. So I spent a few more dollars and exceeded the $300 mark and it was passed.

Finally got the egr valve and it may be my imagination but the car seems to have a lot more pickup when accelerating. I don't know if this would have been the deal maker for the emissions test but I would like to have tried...

Thanks for all the posts.

 

Good day to you. Try adding LUCAS OIL to you gas tank and let me know . It works for my 90 JAG . It was declared gross polluter, ..but after adding this oil which cleans injectors and combustion chamber, ...I passed with flying colors.

The smog test show that this is a new engine which is very un-believable.
No problem ever since with smog related issues.

For the other cars that I own, I am adding MARVEL OIL, ...you could really feel the difference in engine performance.

Note ; Just add 5 ml every fill up, ..let me know if it works for you.