failing emissions test

[chipw]

My son's '89 Ranger has failed the WA state emissions test 4 times, after I had it here in AZ and it passed here the last two years, even with the check-engine light on. His problem is that it is running rich, the Idle Limit is supposed to be below 220, but his has tested from 260 and up each time he has had it tested. He has adjusted a few things and put in new spark plugs, pcv valve and I replaced the fuel and air filters just over a year ago. I'm not sure what else, as I am in AZ and he is in WA. What should he be looking to do to get it through the test?

 

[tx_smorgan]

what gases do they test for there all 5 or just hydrocarbons and if others what are all the other readings

 

[chipw]

HC (PPM) = Cruise Limit(150) Cruise Emissions(82) Cruise Results(Passed)
Idle Limit(220) Idle Emissions(291) Idle Results(Failed)

The tests are for these - HC, CO+CO2, O2, RPM - the truck passed all except HC as shown above.

 

[AllanD]

Just as a guess you have not replaced the Oxygen sensor?

AD

 

[Hahnsb2]

You could pull the SPOUT connector out before you go in, it may lower them enough to pass but you should really find out whats going on.

 

[chipw]

Oxygen sensor - no, I was going to last year when the check engine light came on and the code indicated it was bad, but the truck passed the AZ emissions without it being replaced, so I never bothered with it.

Spout connector? Never heard of such a thing. What is it?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Oxygen sensor - no, I was going to last year when the check engine light came on and the code indicated it was bad, but the truck passed the AZ emissions without it being replaced, so I never bothered with it.

Spout connector? Never heard of such a thing. What is it?

Its a little connector that you remove when timing the engine, its located on the passenger side in the harness towards the back of the engine, pulling it out creates an open circuit so the computer no longer controls the timing and is therefore retarded, retarded timing actually helps with emissions a bit, I tested this out on my rig with the tester when I was in school and pulling the spout dropped HC emissions by about 45 points.

 

[chipw]

Thanks for the info, I'll pass it on to my son.