Try a can of the guaranteed to pass emissions crap, they used to sell it at
the NAPA I worked at, sketchy, but they guartanteed you'd pass or they'd pay
you the testing fee and purchase price.  From what people said it worked
OK...

Matt

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven Dodson" <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 10:03 PM
Subject: Re: Not passing smog, still... Need help!

> Here are the readings from today's smog test:
>
> 2662 RPM
> HC = 38
> CO = .06
> CO2 = 13.6
> O2 = 2.1
>
> Idle
> 900 RPM
> HC = 202
> CO = .08
> CO2 = 12.7
> O2 = 3.3
>
> Readings from the previous test. (different smog station)
>
> 2461 RPM
> HC = 39
> CO = .10
> CO2 = 15.0
> O2 = .4
>
> Idle
> 880 RPM
> HC = 199
> CO = .08
> CO2 = 14.4
> O2 = 1.8
>
> I have run 2 bottles of injector/valve cleaner through the tank.
> I have not checked the compression yet, assumed it was OK, until now.
> I will get a compression tester tomorrow. Timing is right on target.
>
> Hope this info sheds light on the problem. Thanks guys!
>
> -Steven Dodson
> Kneeland, CA
> "Inga" the 87 Syncro
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of G. Matthew Bulley
> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 5:48 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Not passing smog, still... Need help!
>
>
> Steven--
>
> Could you post the other numbers; (NOx, CO, CO2). The HC on its own is
> inconclusive. With the very limited evidence, here are a couple of
> possible leads to check.
>
> 1.. Bad O2 sensor
> 2.. low compression *(run MMO for a tank, then add Motor Honey for the
> test)
> 3.. crusty valves or injectors (run a bottle of Techron through the
> tank)
> 4.. timing off
> 5.. ruined cat due to expired O2 sensor for extended period
> (weeks/months)
>
> Send the full numbers, and lets go from there.
>
> Developing business and guiding change since 1996,
>
> G. Matthew Bulley
> Bulley-Hewlett
> Marketing & Communications
> Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
> AIM = IExplain4u
> Phone: +1.919.658.1278
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> Of Steven Dodson
> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 7:59 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Not passing smog, still... Need help!
>
> I'm still trying to smog Inga. I'm planning a diesel conversion for late
> spring / early summer 2003, so I don't want to dump a bunch more money
> into
> her.
>
> Here's some history: (skip to "problem" below if necessary, kind of
> long)
> My ex-mechanic had done a pre-purchase inspection on her, said she was
> solid, had good compression and was in great condition. One given was
> she
> wouldn't pass smog, he put a new cat and muffler on her tested it with
> his
> smog machine, it passed, so it appeared. A second smog check proved
> otherwise. He claimed that the smog facilities machine must be wrong.
> They
> did some checking and said they found some loose wires, blah, blah,
> spent
> lots of time and my money and finally claimed it was fixed and would
> pass
> smog, again according to their smog machine. Took it back for a smog
> check
> and of coarse it failed again. I took Inga to a second smog facility to
> rule
> out the claim of the mechanic, it failed. It was at this point that I
> started noticing the tacho problem, which turned out to be the ECU, when
> replaced that problem immediately stopped. I have since checked and
> cleaned
> out the idle stabilizer valve and controller, replaced the fuel filter,
> cleaned out the fuel injectors (#2 had a questionable spray pattern) and
> replaced plugs and wires (plugs were 100% out of spec). A third smog
> test
> this morning netted "FAILED".
> My ex-mechanic claimed to have done a lot of stuff, like checking
> compression. When I removed a plug, I found that the plug was dirty and
> gap
> was about .070", turned out all of them were like that. Also, the plug
> wires
> were in pour condition. You'd think that if they took the plugs out to
> check
> the compression, they would have seen or noted the plug and/or wire
> condition. This leads me to believe that they may not have done all they
> said they did during the 2.5 weeks they had Inga.
>
> The problem/s?:
> The smog is failing the idle test with HC running between 220-280 (150
> max).
> If I adjust the CO screw, it corrects the problem, temporarily. It seems
> to
> me that the ECU is seeing a rich or lean mix and is adjusting
> accordingly.
> Just replaced the ECU, so I doubt it could be the cause. Could it be the
> Ox
> sensor? I will test that out tomorrow. When the throttle is released,
> the
> rpms go down to about 1100-1200 for a bit (10-30 sec) and then finally
> drops
> to 850-900. Would the idle stabilizer cause this? I checked it, cleaned
> it
> out really good and checked contacts on the controller, not that it
> makes a
> difference. I found a very small exhaust leak near #3 header (tiny
> bubbles),
> don't think this will effect the outcome much, I will fix it anyway.
>
> I'm a bit puzzled. Any thoughts? Thanks!
>
> -Steven Dodson
> Kneeland, CA
> "Inga" the 87 Syncro