New member 94 ranger xlt 2.3

[Mark_88]

That's pretty close to a pass...

Typically the EGR system is in need of cleaning/work or a few other things. I'm sure they gave you an overview of what might be needed but I found this list in case.

http://www.smogtips.com/failed-high-NO-nitric-oxide.cfm

Do they have a Repair Cost Limit like we do in Ontario? If so, they do a diagnostic and charge you a hundred $$ and give you a conditional pass...I was always too stubborn to let it go like that because I wanted it to pass without a "gimme"...but mine never actually did pass...lol

I went through about 7 diagnostics and conditional passes in the 14 years I drove my Ranger...but yours will probably pass with a bit of work.

 

[Furbee86]

they have a repair limit. its $750 but has to be done at one of the shops they reccomend. such a freakin hustle i swear

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[Mark_88]

My feelings exactly...and I worked with the son of the guy who was responsible for this and we had a few good discussions on where this was going...he was all for it and so was I...except I knew there would be abuse of the system and people finding ways to work around it.

Anyway...like I said...yours shouldn't be too hard to get it to pass...My 89 Tempo only failed once for the same thing...and they replaced the EGR valve and it passed with flying colours after that.

Is yours required every year or every other year?

 

[Furbee86]

every 2 yrs

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[Furbee86]

here is my exact results

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[Furbee86]

i pulled the egr off and it was very clean like it had recently been replaced. i did vacuum test with my mouth lol and it held

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[Mark_88]

Well, EGR was actually second on that list I posted...the first being lean condition...third was a bad cat, and fourth was high mileage and fifth was overheating.

You can test it for codes but they would have told you if there was a code (possibly). They aren't as tight with the OBD-1 up to 97 (in Ontario anyway) and won't refuse to test if the CEL is lit up.

The other things can also be verified...but I can tell you something I learned after the fact...I never replaced the cat on my 88 but when I finally scrapped the engine I took the cat to the junkyard to see how much it was worth...they discovered that it was hollowed out. lol

The previous owner must have done that because I never took it off or inspected it but the truck simply would not pass the emission tests...it was very close a few years and one tech actually told me to replace the cat...but I managed to get out of that with the diagnostic and RCL.

Not saying you need to, but it might pull the numbers down enough to get you past the test.

Otherwise it might be the running temperature, wear and tear, or not getting enough fuel...

Hard to say, actually, but running a can of Seafoam through it and doing the Seafoam clense might remove enough carbon to make a difference too...

All just speculation so you've eliminated one possible with the EGR inspection...

 

[Furbee86]

im actually running some "crc guaranteed to pass emmisions" but now im getting code 172 again. after receiving no codes earlier... might b time to just take it in

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[Mark_88]

The codes are on this site but sounds like you know what they are...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3digitcodes.shtml

172 -- Lean code -- so that might explain it...

Did you check the fuel pressure recently?

 

[Furbee86]

i have not checked the fuel pressure. unsure even how to do that

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[Mark_88]

The fuel pressure should be 35 to 40 psi for 1985-1997 and you can test it with a vacuum gauge if you have one. I've shared this video a few times and it makes it easy to see fuel pressure in real time without expensive equipment...just a bit of danger involved if you don't clamp the hoses properly.

For a standing still issue it is much less complicated...but just remember the fuel rail is under pressure so release that slowly and do not prime the pumps by turning the key on at any time until you are ready.

I don't mean to sound overly cautious but I also don't want to hear about someone getting hurt or blowing up their neighborhood...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poS2K9VdTR8

 

[Furbee86]

well took it to a mechanic. biggest waste of time. he checked vacuum lines. no leak. fuel pressure test. no problems
then calls back and says i need o2 sensor. which i wouldnt disagree with. but then tries to tell me i have a hole in the cat. if there was a hole wouldnt it havr failed the visual inspections. and the ****er has the nerve to quote me $700 plus the $100 for the fuel pressure test. is this a ridiculous bs mechanic trying to f me?

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[Mark_88]

Depending on the cat and other factors, $700 isn't too far off the mark...but you can buy a cat yourself and install it in about an hour for next to nothing. The 93 has the shorty header down pipe and the cat just bolts onto the flange so it isn't a major job.

If it was my choice I would do it myself because I've done it many times without leaks or other problems.

It must pass the visual so I find it hard to believe there is a hole...

You can test it...start the engine and let it idle and before it heats up, place your palm over the tailpipe and press it so there is a seal. Leave it for about 30 seconds (make sure pipe is still cool) and then release it quickly...if there are any holes anywhere you will not get any "POP" noise...if the system is sealed you will hear a defiinite "POP" sound when you pull your hand away.

But the system may be leaking anywhere...although it shouldn't and that is why many techs do that simple test...at least in Canada...lol

 

[Furbee86]

i did that before and i remember bearing a pop sound as i released. im gonna def go with the o2 sensor first and shop around about the cat. nust seems if there was a hole in the cat wouldnt my other #s on the emissions would have been off as well.

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[Mark_88]

If you hear a pop then there is no hole...thats what I was trying to get at...

I would still consider the cat change because it does reduce NOX...if it is original then it has just over 20 years service on it and may be what you need. Same as the other components but I doubt the exhaust hasn't been replaced a few times. You don't need much and the O2 sensor may or may not be what's wrong. Detecting lean can mean the sensor is working and the other components are out because of carbon, heat, cat, or vacuum leak.

It can be frustrating but if the fuel pressure is good then that's two things you've elminated so it gets closer to finding the way.