She failed emissions...BARELY...help please! UPADATE!

[bunker108]

She failed. She was so close that its rediculous!

High speed/ Low Speed


HC 56/ 1.59
CO .76 / 1.23
CO2 14.0/ 13.4
O2 .73/ 1.22

The limit on CO at idle is 1.20. I missed idle CO by .03, what a joke.

Where do I go from here?

Here are last years numbers

high speed/ low speed
HC 54/ HC 139
CO .77/ CO .92
CO2 14.2/ CO2 11.7
O2 1.01/ O2 4.26



Thanks.[/u]
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1985 Westfalia GL

[tencentlife]

Did you drive it enough to get it fully warmed up before the test? Cats and O2 sensors work best when they're real hot.
_________________
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Experience is kryptonite to doctrine.

[bunker108]

Yes she was warm, I took her for a full throttle blast up to Tijeras before the test.

I havn't replaced the O2 sensor in awhile so I think that I will start there.

The cat is hollow but it has been that way for the 10yrs I have had the van. So I can rule out the cat.
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1985 Westfalia GL

[hiram6]

A replacement cat would pass it though. If you were squeaking by before, and now squeaking below, so to speak, a new cat convert would clean it up.

And, uh, you're supposed to have one.

O2 would likely help as well.
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1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.

[r39o]

The true teller that you need a new cat is your NO value.

What is your NO doing?

If the NO is real good, a good tune up along with a really hot engine will pass.

An old or slow O2 sensor only corrects the mixture slowly. It will settle in after a while. O2 sensors are not too much.

Would not hurt to test Sensor II and your TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) too.
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[keithwwalker]

Before you do anything, turn out the CO allen head screw 1/4 turn. (the screw is on the AFM meter, NOT the slotted screw by the throttle).

Retest, and report back, turn it out another 1/4 if you have to; but you should pass.

Are the CO2 and HC within limits?

[bunker108]

Yes the HC's are well within limits...the limit is 220 and it registered 56/159. I am not sure what the limits on CO2 are but they tester said the only part the failed was idle CO.
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1985 Westfalia GL

[90Doka_Guy]

[bunker108]

Ok thanks everyone.

Let me be clear though..when you say turn it "out" 1/4 turn, you mean turn to the left correct?

I get one free retest, should I just go with the 1/4 turn or should I go witht the 1/4 turn and replace the O2 sensor too?
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1985 Westfalia GL

[keithwwalker]

Turn out counterclockwise, when viewed from above.

If you have the time and you know that the O2 wire is good (to the ECU, AND from ECU to ground) replace the O2 sensor.

If you don't replace the O2 sensor, I think you should be able to get your CO down by turning the screw out. If you go out 1/2 turn, that shouldn't hurt it.

Here's my tests:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=291959&highlight=

Good luck, I hope you pass!

[berge13]

CA emissions are such that I bought a '83 Vanagon Std. WBX, 1.9. The car is registered til August 08. Since I bought the vehicle, I have to have it smogged again. The car has not been driven much over the past year as the o.g. owner was ill and unable to drive much.
I have no point of reference so I am asking well-seasoned Vanagon fans:
What are the odds that this will pass smog with no problems. No leaks, except for the typical gas/grommet overflow.. would that prohibit the smog passage?
Thanks
_________________
"If someone believes in you, well that is just the greatest thing in life..."
Berge;1972
85 WBX GL
Prior:
59 Ragtop
66 Barndoor
71 TinTop Westy
69 Karmann Ghia
62 Bus
83.5 Vanagon

[goffoz]

Do as Keith advised, also make sure your timing is stock
Buy a new cat and O2 sensor, and a gas cap
Install the cat and O2,and gas cap.. go in, pass, come home remove them and put them on the shelf till next time.
I have 2 vanagons, and they all share a new cat and O2, that have maybe 10hrs on them in 4yrs.
for daily driving the old one works good,
....plus it helps me to keep the system in good order (no rusty studs)

Ever since smogII and MTBE screwed me on my Rx7..I realized its Not at all about clean air
....Its just revenue

[keithwwalker]

I got a cat sitting on the shelf, just in case I need it next time. This time I was lucky and didn't need it.

[bucko]

[goffoz]

[kevinbassplayer]

There was a thread a while back where everyone was freaking out (including me) about California's new gas tank pressure testing. I just smogged a month ago and the only thing they tested in regards to the fuel system pressure was the gas cap. My cap did not pass and I had to get a new one in town which was $38, the same cap is available at Van-cafe for $18! Let us know what the outcome of your tweaking does to the CO, good luck!

[berge13]

Just took "Bruno" to have a smog test... He PASSED. This morning I opened the back, saw three little gas lines connected individually to a 3-port metal thingamabob.. a small hex screw on top. there was some gas seeping out onto the engine. I tightend the bands and no more gas seepage after running for about 15 minutes. I am still gonna take the suggestions on the grommets and replacing the lines.
But as of now, I am good for another 2 years.. I think.
Thanks all
_________________
"If someone believes in you, well that is just the greatest thing in life..."
Berge;1972
85 WBX GL
Prior:
59 Ragtop
66 Barndoor
71 TinTop Westy
69 Karmann Ghia
62 Bus
83.5 Vanagon

[floggingmolly]

Wow, you are lucky. I'm no expert, but gas leaking onto a hot engine might result in ...a fire?

I just passed smog too, today and I am very relieved.
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'85 Wolfsburg Weekender

[Jamos]

I got my new (to me) '86 wolfsburg smogged about 3 months ago. It had the typical leaking gas tank seals/grommets/expansion lines. It also had an old gas cap.

The smog place I went (who are awesome, super-nice people...let me know if you need a smog in the bay area and I'll direct you to them) did the fuel pressure test and it failed. They gave me a replacement temporary cap for free so I could pass. After they put it on, it passed no problem.
_________________
'86 Wolfy Westy Weekender
2020 Audi Q5

[berge13]

SWEET!!!
_________________
"If someone believes in you, well that is just the greatest thing in life..."
Berge;1972
85 WBX GL
Prior:
59 Ragtop
66 Barndoor
71 TinTop Westy
69 Karmann Ghia
62 Bus
83.5 Vanagon