Failed emissions. Was fantastic last year.

[cuel]

Not sure what's in the Ford product...

I don't use it very often, but next time I get a can, I'll post up the active ingredients.

The EGR not functioning correctly is a whole different matter. I run into this a lot myself(mostly Fords), usually because the ports through the intake are plugged up. I have some long, thin, round brass brushes that I chuck in a drill for these jobs. I like the cable idea, though. Gonna put that to good use. I like to use throttle body cleaner with this to help soften up the carbon and oil gunk that's in there. PB Blaster works good, to.

 

[Count Knobula]

As an aside, can anyone tell me a good way to troubleshoot/check out my tps? It does sometimes mess my acceleration (it hesitates).

 

[jdub]

Count, read this:
http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46793

 

[johnathan1]

Wow! This thread is getting so much attention...my emissions thread went all but unnoticed. Oh well, at least I was able to find a lot of useful info in this one.

So there is a long passage through the intake manifold for the EGR? How can I test that mine isn't plugged?

 

[jdub]

You would have to remove the EGR fitting from the manifold and snake a wire through to see if it's blocked. I like JJ's wire rope idea...you could pick up a piece of cable (3/8" or 7/16" should work) at the hardware store, fray the end, and have at it with a drill.

This is a good read Johnathan:
http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16506

 

[Count Knobula]

Not blocked. My mechanic managed to get it to engage/cycle and the engine stumbled.

We had to do some other bits in the engine bay and found a loose ground (on top of the engine lol) and an 02 sensor covered in steering fluid (fixed that leak now of course) and connected poorly.

Have sorted these out and the egr code is no longer coming up while driving. Is there a chance the bad ground would have stopped the sensor working?

 

[jetjock]

The test results you posted earlier show your O2 sensor was working.

 

[Count Knobula]

Good point. Well I'll keep checking. The EGR code is no longer coming up though. I do have a free retest. I'll do some more test driving and see what happens.

 

[7MGTEsup]

MIL = Malfunction indication lamp

 

[Count Knobula]

Got rid of EGR code, retested. Only failed on nox (bout three times the limit) and HCppm (JUST over).

Need a new cat?

 

[jdub]

NOx points straight at the EGR. HC is likely due to a rich condition.

 

[jetjock]

Agree, at least about the NOx. Just because your mechanic stumbled the engine by cheating the system doesn't mean all of it is working. Put a vacuum gage in the line going to the valve. See the TSRM. Also post up the numbers for the second test. All of them.

Dub: HC is not an indicator of mixture quality in and of itself. CO is and CO suppresses NOx. Therefore a rich mixture will drive it way down. Also, his CO from the first test shows the engine to be in fuel control.

 

[jdub]

Ahhh, that's true about a rich mixture and NOx...it reduces the compustion temps

A high HC would indicate unburned fuel...since his CO looks good, a rich misfire would not be the cause. Perhaps an ignition related misfire for the earlier post?

Post the new numbers per JJ's suggestion.

 

[Count Knobula]

25/25 test
Reading Allowed
HC ppm 153 140 fail
C0% 0.5 0.89 pass
NOxppm 2463 984 fail
RPM 1687 3000
CO+CO2% 14.6 6.0

50/15 test
Reading Allowed
HCppm 81 144 Pass
CO% 0.33 0.81 Pass
NOx ppm 1070 1077 Pass (close!)
RPM 1717 3000
C0+cO2% 14.9 6.0

Better than last time, not that that makes much of a difference!

I am at your mercy here. I have pretty much 2 weeks before the deadline. Buying a new cats the last thing I want.

 

[Count Knobula]

Bump?