Failed Emissions - how far off am I?

[pmpski_1]

Idle Hydrocarbons are 242, limit is 220. Cruise was 119, limit is 200, so I'm good there.

I've done quite a few searches and have a list of things that I can do immediately for cheap and things that I can do next weekend for more money in parts.

The question I have is how far off is 22 PPM? Is this a change the plugs, time it, and throw some alchol in the tank and it'll pass type of thing or is this pretty far off?

It's a 91 Jimmy, 220k miles. I just got it so I don't know if the cat is original.

 

[zombie1969]

That's close enough where simply changing your oil might do the trick.Ive used dry gas before also.If you think your cat might be going bad there's a product called cat clean.You pour it in the tank and it takes a tank or so to clean out the cat.If you bang on the cat and it rattles inside its no good and you need a new one.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Do you get tested for NOx also?

 

[K85 Octane]

I just read raising your idle rpm helps too. Not crazy, but 900 rpm would be good.

 

[BoondocK5]

Back your timing off about 4 or 5 degrees.

 

[pmpski_1]

Fresh oil change a few miles before I got tested. I changed the plugs and the PCV today and the old ones both looked relatively fresh. The plugs had some oil on the threads but they looked pretty darn good otherwise. Tomorrow I'll change out the cap and rotor, maybe the plug wires. I may pick up a thermostat as well since it seems to run cold and it's simple enough to change out in a few minutes.

I looked at the cat today and it isn't the big flat one so I don't know if it's replacement or not. It does have one of these Air Raid CAI kits on it from the PO, but from what I'm reading that may help more than hurt due to more air flow. But it does make me wonder. I'm planning on reverting back to stock sooner or later anyway.

I've got a list of things to inspect and troubleshoot, but it looks like I need to pass emissions before I can pay the vehicle tax and get the title transferred. Which seems strange to me, I need to double check that. Tabs are due in May, so maybe the lady at the desk got mixed up since I said I wanted new tabs too.

4x4High - Here is what I have, and here is what determines PASS or FAIL.
Type RPM Mine Limit
HC 2500 119 200
HC Idle 242 220 FAIL
CO 2500 .54 1.5
CO Idle 0.1 1.2

There is a CO+CO2, but they don't pass or fail on that - good thing too since I would have failed badly there.

I've got quite a bit of smoke on startup but I'm having trouble telling if it's blue or white. There's less as I run it, but it's noticeable.

I just checked out the last time this truck passed emissions (2007!) and the idle HC was 70, although it did fail with high HC (much higher) in 2005. I know this truck hasn't been driven much in the last 4 years because the last time the oil was changed was in 07 and there was still 1k left to go before 3000 miles had passed - according to the sticker on the windshield anyway.

Will using the ALDL cable and software allow me to get a better idea of what is going on here?

 

[89 jimmy]

change the cat and maybe o2 sensor, I was in same boat and did this and passed with flying colors. It seems the aftermarket cats dont last but maybe 4 years. Ive tried changing oil,plugs additives etc., which is recommended but i think the cat and o2 sensor makes biggest diff. And get it real hot before taking it in.

 

[pmpski_1]

It seems the aftermarket cats dont last but maybe 4 years.

I'm wondering if that is what was changed in 07. Seems like a huge difference between 70 then and 242 now, even if it wasn't being driven too much. Guess I could always send the PO an email and ask...

I just need it to last 4 or 5 years. I think WA state doesn't do emissions tests on vehicles more than 25 years old. I could be wrong though.

I'm going to go down the list and see about an O2 sensor as well, but the smoke is scaring me. I need to figure out what that problem is.

 

[4xcrazy]

If it's truly running colder than normal, then change out the t-stat, get it up to normal operating temp, about 195-200 and run it through again, The TBI engine needs to be running at temperature for the computer to back off the fuel supply, sounds like it's just running in "cold mode" adding alittle extra fuel until it reaches normal temp range.

The only issues I have ever had with a TBI failing emissions was the NOX reading, removed the EGR valve, cleaned it out, reinstalled and it passed easily.

Even my Burb, the '89 with the factory huge flat cat would always pass Phoenixs' slightly strict requirements.