Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and - Joined
- Aug 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,621
- Vehicle Year
- 1985
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- My credo
- vertical and above ground
The 2.3 in my '85 would not pass smog in the spring of 1986. Failed the 1st test, so I took it out on the freeway to get it all warmed up and 'cleared out'. Failed.
Went to Shamrock Ford. They charged me the inspection fee, stating they could not take the failure diagnostic I had already paid for, and re-inspected. Failed. They suggested cleaning the intake manifold for $100, and then do a re-inspection. Failed.
Time to get an appointment to see a referee. I got there early for the appointment as I did not want to repeat the trip. The referee was waiting for the previous appointment. Five minutes before my appointment, this rusted out BMW shows up with the leakiest exhaust I've heard in years. Referee took him in and inspected, had a slight discussion, and the Bimmer left.
Rolled my truck into the bay. Connected to the EEC-IV port. Noted no codes. Disconnected the XXX {I don't remember after 26 years} sensor, and checked the codes. The results apparently satisfied him as he re-connected, and closed the hood. Wrote me a waiver and I was on my way.
So, I got to pay for two inspection fees @ ~$30/each plus $100 for an 'intake cleaning', and a 50 mile round trip plus lost time from work to end up just as I started. Failing.
This truck had less than 5000 miles when all this occurred. It needed no maintenance, and the oil change was fresh.
As far as the original question, it has no CEL, is EFI. No smog pump, EGR and a catalytic converter.
It had passed its last smog test, in GA, two years ago when it aged off the inspection list. I found that douching the upper intake manifold lowered the HC enough that it passed. I *think* the PCV passes enough oil to coat the intake, and when added to EGR forms a cokey coating that holds fuel {at least until it is hot enough to evaporate and burn} and makes the HC high. That's my theory anyway. Cleaning the intake I was able to get it to pass from 2001 on.
tom
Went to Shamrock Ford. They charged me the inspection fee, stating they could not take the failure diagnostic I had already paid for, and re-inspected. Failed. They suggested cleaning the intake manifold for $100, and then do a re-inspection. Failed.
Time to get an appointment to see a referee. I got there early for the appointment as I did not want to repeat the trip. The referee was waiting for the previous appointment. Five minutes before my appointment, this rusted out BMW shows up with the leakiest exhaust I've heard in years. Referee took him in and inspected, had a slight discussion, and the Bimmer left.
Rolled my truck into the bay. Connected to the EEC-IV port. Noted no codes. Disconnected the XXX {I don't remember after 26 years} sensor, and checked the codes. The results apparently satisfied him as he re-connected, and closed the hood. Wrote me a waiver and I was on my way.
So, I got to pay for two inspection fees @ ~$30/each plus $100 for an 'intake cleaning', and a 50 mile round trip plus lost time from work to end up just as I started. Failing.
This truck had less than 5000 miles when all this occurred. It needed no maintenance, and the oil change was fresh.
As far as the original question, it has no CEL, is EFI. No smog pump, EGR and a catalytic converter.
It had passed its last smog test, in GA, two years ago when it aged off the inspection list. I found that douching the upper intake manifold lowered the HC enough that it passed. I *think* the PCV passes enough oil to coat the intake, and when added to EGR forms a cokey coating that holds fuel {at least until it is hot enough to evaporate and burn} and makes the HC high. That's my theory anyway. Cleaning the intake I was able to get it to pass from 2001 on.
tom
