1998 4.0 for sale wont pass smog

[KWAD RCR]

I just found a 1998 extra cab, automatic, 4.0, power everything, that the guy says runs good but didn't pass smog. Something about using too much gas possibly being a fuel pressure regulator or stuck injector. I am going to look at it today. He is asking $2000 and is willling to negotiate. In the pics body and interior look real good. Any ideas on the smog. For this area the price is REAL good. Thanks

 

[ati190]

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[KWAD RCR]

I'm not selling it, I'm looking at buying it. Its a 4.0 with a smog problem and this is the 4.0 section. Looking to hear if its worth buying and possible reasons for the failed smog test.

 

[Rifleman]

I would say it mainly depends on the smog issue. If it's burning oil, no, it's likely not worth it. If a precat O2 is out and it's mixing fuel too lean or too rich then yes, it would be worth it. You have more investigation to do. Start it, run it, view what comes out. Sometimes people just don't get their vehicles good and hot before an emmisions test which can be the difference between a pass or fail.

 

[KWAD RCR]

Went and test drove it and it ran great. No smoke out of the tail pipe that I could see. Check engine light was on so it wouldn't pass even if exhaust is clean. My 92 with the check engine light was fixed with an analog meter following the Haynes manual. Ended up being a $25 part. Kelly Blue book estimates the value at $3700 for my area rated at fair condition. The seller said if I fix he would take $1500. If he fixes he'll take $2000. Here is pic

 

[Rifleman]

What is the mileage on it? Is there a possibility of a cat issue? That would be the only thing expensive I can think of with no visable exhaust.

It may simply be a case of a bit of dirt or water blowing through that triggered a code and you only need the code reset with a handheld scanner or by disconnecting the battery for a while. The latter is the better of the two because a reset via the battery forces the PCM to relearn fuel trims and idle mix.

I've known of people with vehicles with O2 sensors out, that the CEL would not come on until a second start. It would run fine with no CEL for the first run after resetting. They stop up the road from the inspection station, reset the code, and let the vehicle run the whole time for their emmisions check.

Also make sure any vehicle you need to pass an emmisions test with is at full operating temperature before arriving. Even the tips of the exhaust tail pipes should be hot to the touch when fully warmed up. There are many brand new cars that will not pass some of the stricter emmisions tests while cold.

Nice lookin rig, esspecially for the money.

 

[KWAD RCR]

Mileage is 168,XXX. Guy took it to a test only station today and they mentioned the codes. Problem is the guy that has the truck knows VERY little english so he couldn't translate to me exactly what the codes meant. I'm calling the shop in the morning myself. I can't help but feel that this is a smoking deal for $1500. It ran great despite the engine light.

 

[Rifleman]

Take it for a drive to your local autozone or advance auto parts store. They can typically scan the vehicle for free and tell you the exact codes. Be warned though, they will always try to sell you a part when sometimes a part isn't what you need. Investigate the code and what the common reasons are for that code in your vehicle.

 

[KWAD RCR]

Well I went and bought the truck last night. Had to drive it 30 miles back to my house. O/D off light started blinking and as mentioned before it has a check engine light on. Good thing is I have a 99 4x4 ranger for parts that has a good 4.0 and tranny. Truck drove fine though and I got it for $1400. Interior is near perfect and ALL power options work. I'll post pics ASAP. Oh yea, I called Autozone and they dont scan it. I can only buy one. Its all good because a good buddy of mine owns a very reputable transmission shop and he is going to do a tranny flush and get all of the codes with his scanner

 

[Rifleman]

Wow, I've drove all over the eastern and central US and never found an Autozone that couldn't scan codes for a check engine light.

 

[KWAD RCR]

They said it was a law in the state that they could only sell but not loan or rent. Kragen said the same thing.

 

[Coleosis]

Heck ya dude! $1400 is a great deal for a 4.0 that runs good....street legal or not. You could make some money off of it out here in Oklahoma if you wanted to flip it. We dont have emissions so that wouldnt be a prob. Congrats on your buy.