My 77 and failing DEQ

[theregoeslouis]

Well my 77 failed DEQ test. Now I'm trying to figure out what to do and where to start.

It failed on

HC suppose to be below 300, mine was at 461
CO suppose to be below 2.5, mine was at 9.7929

Story with my 77, bought it from my boss, it had been sitting in the yard for a few years 3 maybe 4 don't know but when I finally got it from him at ran, I did some maintenance on it but not all.

I took it to the shop took them about a week to tell me they needed more time because they didn't know what they were doing. I only took it to this shop because a friend takes hers there. But on their report it said

"Found EGR rusted out and pinched off, bolts, studs, nuts missing, various exhaust components rusted through. This vehicle emissions system requires a functional EGR and exhaust system in order to function properly"

"Rebuilt distributor w/ electronic ignition"


Where to start

[Abscate]

Cap rotor and plugs new to start

Then check ignition timing.

You are running rich as Hades. Timing is off or injectors are leaking badly
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.ssS!

[Wildthings]

You may have ancient ethanol laced fuel in the tank that doesn't burn all that well either. Sounds like you will need to replace the EGR filter and valve, and likely much of the exhaust, and do other work as well. Don't know what is required as far as the non stock distributor, it should work fine if the mechanical and vacuum advances match the original, but whether it will pass a visual I do not know.

[jlrftype7]

With a post Cat tailpipe reading that high on CO, are you seeing Black Smoke out of the Exhaust, esp. if you rev up the engine?

Check the Vacuum line to your Fuel Pressure Regulator as well, make sure you have Vacuum at the Regulator port on the FPR, and that no fuel is present when you take the Vacuum hose off to check for Vacuum with a gauge.

As Abscate noted, could be gummed up injector spray patterns that are more of a stream now instead of a proper spray pattern. Injectors can be sent out often for cleaning and flow testing. Don't keep running it with the CO reading that rich, you don't want to poison your Cat. Converter if you have one.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[timvw7476]

Start with an oil change. Dirty tainted oil won't do you any favors at the tail pipe. And factory timing specs & the plug wires, old stuff can produce misfires & drives the HC (unburned gasoline) way high. If you hear something odd at idle speed, (hesitation, dropped cylinder, afterburn) it will likely lead to emissions failure.

[Wildthings]

If it sat for that long with ethanol laced fuel in the tank paying someone to clean the injectors would be a waste of money at this point. You might as well plan on having the fuel tank removed and cleaned as it will be a gummy mess inside.

[theregoeslouis]

I already changed the sparked plugs and did oil change have not tested since then.


But I did take some pictures under and this is how it looks

[theregoeslouis]

[busdaddy]

Welcome!

A missing or compromised EGR won't cause high Co or Hc's, that shows up as the Nox if they do a dyno road test. As others have mentioned it's over fuelling, possibly combined with a misfire or really worn engine.

I see a missing foam seal around the engine, how about some pics of the top side just so we can all know what we are dealing with?

BTW thanks for using the Samba gallery for your pics
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[rag63]

Bummer on failed DEQ. I too am in the PDX area. I had a similar experience with our ‘81 air cooled Cali-emission package Vanagon. I ended up taking it to Trafton’s so they could set it up to pass. I think they also drove it there for the test. They tweaked it to pass with flying colors.
Cheers,
Dave

[ivwshane]

If the egr isn’t blocked at the plenum or anywhere after egr filter would that cause a vacuum leak? I just see the massive hole in the filter and am wondering how that affects things.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[theregoeslouis]

[theregoeslouis]

[theregoeslouis]

Here is also just starting it in the morning


Link

[theregoeslouis]

[Wildthings]

It is cranking fast and uneven so you likely have a couple of cylinders with low compression. You obviously have exhaust leaks, and likely vacuum leaks as well. It will take way more than pocket change to get it running well.

[rag63]

theregoeslouis,
No disrespected intended. That is a great looking Bus!
Yes, it is best to get your Bus running as VW intended.
Cheers,
Dave
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[theregoeslouis]

[theregoeslouis]

[busdaddy]