Failed both emissions tests:
At 15 mph the max allowable HC (PPM) is 49. It measured 62
At 25 mph the max allowable HC (PPM) is 33. It measured 52

At 15 mph the max allowable NO (PPM) is 409. It measured 791
At 25 mph the max allowable NO (PPM) is 696. It measured 669.

Drove it until near empty. Re-filled with Techron fuel injector cleaner and 91 octane, drove lots of freeway miles. Re-tested it. Same result. Any tips?

 

I had a similar thing with my emissions on my XJR in the uk. Turned out to be a failed o2 sensor. If you have one put a code reader on it and see what the fuel trim levels are like.

Forgot to mention that there may not be an error code from a failed O2 sensor, I didn't get one with mine but the fuel trims showed one of them had failed.

 

Search here or google TC W3 especially if you are doing highway driving. It has been known to reduce emissions.
Having said that I now wait for the usual debunking! But it has done wonders on some high mileage cars in a short period and convinced me it has merit.
But above post sounds more likely.

 

Our cars require premium fuel (93 octane). I noticed you're using 91 octane. Use up your 91 fuel and refill with 93. Drive a few hundred miles. You may even want to add a special gas additive to make your fuel leaner. It may lower your emissions.
If you check your O sensor and it's not faulty, it maybe your cats as well - it's hard to tell remotely, but at least now you have some leads.

 

Don't you know in california the octane is less and the cost is more? The price we pay for good weather

Doug

 

Doug, when we went out there this summer for the VW Classic,gas was 30cents cheaper than the socialistic state of Illinois that I reside in. We were shocked. You guys also have better fast food,El Pollo Loco,In n Out and DelTaco,nottoo mention beaches.lol

 

Clean MAF and make sure to drive it for at least 20 miles and heat everything up real good.

Changing the upstream o2 sensors will net you improved results and better running if they are still original.

 

Jaguar want $400 per 02 sensor. Found them for $165 each so plan to replace both 02 sensors that affect emissions and re-test. Wish me luck!

 

Costco sell a 6 pack of Techron fuel injector cleaner for @$10 so I'm trying that first, but thanks for the tip.

 

Can't get 93 octane in San Diego. Can, however, get 100 octane gas so I added 2 gallons of 100 octane ($9 per gallon) into a half-full tank which already has the techron gas additive in, drove some highway miles and although, subjectively, it feels incredibly smooth, it still failed the smog test, so now I am replacing two 02 sensors and cleaning the MAF sensor. Don't have a code reader so let's hope that does the trick.

 

The only place that comes close to In'n'out is Whataburger in Texas.

 

Thanks, that's exactly what I have decided to do. Will keep you posted.

 

Just a thought, have you seen the Wheeler Dealers XK8 Discovery show? They " Terra cleaned " an XK8 for better emissions and it almost halved the original readings. Its a process that cleans the fuel lines from front to back and cleans the engine internals like a de coke did in days gone bye.
Youtube may still have it showing if you are stuck for other idea's.

Good luck

Cheers,

ArtyH

 

You can get a cheap coed reader from ebay for about $15 - much cheaper than replacing the sensors if they are ok.

When My car failed it's MOT (several faults) I had a terraclean done to see if that was the problem and then checked the emissions again - it would have passed then but after a couple of days it was failing the test again. Checking the fuel trims showed that the passenger side O2 sensor had failed.

 

I watched the youtube video. Looks great. Thanks for the tip. Will see if I can find Terraclean in San Diego.

 

The cheapest source I can find for a reliable code reader is Walmart (@$150). So, it's about the cost of one 02 sensor. If only 1 02 sensor has failed, it would pay for itself. But I have gone ahead and replaced both upstream 02 sensors, so now I'll be adding a code reader to my Christmas wish list (along with a brushed cotton plaid shirt

 

Hey Wotcham,

I pulled out the latest smog check numbers for my by-yearly Kalifornia check (July 2013) and found that the measured HC was ZERO at both 15mph and 25mph and the NO numbers were also both ZERO. These are essentially the same as what the same check station recorded in 2011.

I wonder if there is something wrong the the equipment your smog check station is using??


Doug

 

Search 'ELM327' on ebay. These are the $15 readers that work with a laptop (USB versoin) or Android (Bluetooth version).

 

I didn't notice anywhere that stated if you changed your oil. I would also recommend an oil change. That can have a big effect on emissions checks.

 

So, the latest news is that the right o2 sensor was melted due to high heat onto the right catalytic converter pipe which is also destroyed due to high heat (am surprised none of this triggered a check engine light). The recommended fix is to replace two o2 sensors (done) and both cat pipes (expensive). Question: Is a failed o2 sensor enough to cause heat high enough to do this or do I need to look for another cause of high heat to avoid frying the replacement o2 sensors and cats?