Tricks to pass emissions?

[Classicvibe]

Yep, just failed. I have at least one cylinder that is trying to poop out. I am planning a swap once there freaking sun comes out (March?) but in the meantime is there anything I can do to squeek by? I am not missing it by much. Since this is a new revelation (dead engine) it is going to take me a couple of months to put the doneros together. Engine in March, Rust in April, Syncro Solstice in May! Anyway, any ideas?
_________________
On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[Terry Kay]

If you have a dead hole it's going to be tough getting it to pass emissions--there just isn't any way other than hooking up an oxygen tank under the rear seat, and feeding it to the pipe after the oxy sensor.

Open it up a hair, and roll in for the test--
It'll clean up the unburt exhaust at the tail pipe.( not really, but it will sure lean out the mixture at their gauges so they give you a wave off--)
_________________
T.K.

[toomanyveedubs]

You can try running it with a liter or two of methel hydrate.

It will cause the engine to run hot so just do it for the test with 1/2 tank of gas, then go fill er up.

I have to do this to pass my wifes 84 Rabbit GTi, lumpy cam and no Cat.
Works like a charm.

[Vango Conversions]

If you have low compression and/or are burning oil, adding some Lucas, Hyperlube or similar products to your oil may help seal things up for a bit. The question of how beneficial / harmful they may be to your engine is another topic, but they do tend to reduce oil burning so emissions should be better.

I've also sen bottles of stuff on the shelf at the parts store claiming that pouring them into your gas tank will help you pass your emissions test or your money back. Don't know what's in there though.

[Terry Kay]

a mass load of alcohol.

3-4 cans of heet would do the same thing.
It's the low compression hole thing here that is going to toss the wrench in the gears.

I don't think, more like probably know that a bottle of glue in the oil isn't going to wake up a dead horse.
He can try it---but he shouldn't be dissapointed when he fails emissions again.
a miracle in a bottle ain't gonna replace gone aluminum pistons, or gone cast iron liner's.
The rings won't care either.
_________________
T.K.

[presslab]

What measurement did it fail and by how much?

I second the alcohol recommendation. It can help you get by if you have a hydrocarbon issue. Also if it is burning oil you can do a fresh oil change. This will eliminate the carbon in the oil so that when the oil burns, at least it burns clean.
_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

[Spinal Tap]

I wonder if electrically disconnecting the injector to the low compression cylinder would help? Then that cylinder would just be pumping air into the exhaust, which a lot of older engines did, by design, to pass emissions (70's era B-Series engines all came with air pumps).

The WBX would run like crap like this, and probably vibrate like crazy, but it's possibly an easy and very temporary fix. But maybe not. I don't know for sure, so take what I say with a big-ole grain of salt.

Good luck!
_________________
'85 Westy
'74 MG-B

[r39o]

[aswah]

geez, I was thinking getting it to pass, Chicago Style. Hand the tester a donut with a few hundreds rolled up in it... works on cops... hehehe... I just passed here in California... these have to be the worst emission tests ever!
_________________
WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

[g_ride]

[climberjohn]

There are a lot of previous treads on this topic.
Try a search on pass+emissions to get a bunch of them.
(Not trying to be snarky, but helpful)

-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[bself]

A fresh oil and filter change has worked for me the last couple times...
_________________
1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia SBX EJ25