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Failed CA smog by ONE DARN POINT on hydrocarbon! 200 1989

Emissions wise, all I really did to my 1989 244DL before the test was clean my K&M air filter. Spark plugs and cables are two years old, distributor cap is 4 years old. Everything else that comes to mind, o2 sensor, cat, must be over 4 years old because that is how long I have had the car and I have not replaced. I drove about 60mph on the freeway a couple of miles to the test site and kept the car idling while I waited.

I guess what I am wondering, is if it is worth a shot at just changing spark plugs and wires, taking her on a good long drive to get her really nice and warm, and taking it back in for a retest. Oh, I also read a thread where someone recommended replacing the coolant temp sensor to reduce HC levels. Any tips on a quick fix to at least get my HC to drop a point or two so I can pass?

Here are the full test results:
15MPH 14.5% Co2 --- 0.4% o2
HC 117ppm (max 116) ---FAIL---
CO 0.26% (max 0.74)
NO 323ppm (max 791)

25MPH 14.7%Co2 --- 0.1%o2
HC 61ppm (max 91)
C0 0.13% (max 0.62%)
NO 92ppm (max 730)

Thanks,
Ryan








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    Failed CA smog by ONE DARN POINT on hydrocarbon! 200 1989

    It probably would have failed CA's visual inspection without it, but I have to ask: do you have the heat tube from the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner housing in place and is the thermostat inside the air cleaning housing opening and closing? Have you tried running a couple of tank fulls of mid 89 or premium 91 from Chevron or Shell? The "top tier" fuels have additives that help engines run cleaner.








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      Failed CA smog by ONE DARN POINT on hydrocarbon! 200 1989

      Yeah, I did have to have the heater hose hooked up for the visual inspection (which is the only time I ever have it connected). It passed smog with the heater hose connected the last time I tested (2 years ago) so I wasn't too concerned. I think I will open the air box and use something to keep the door blocked shut. I just changed the spark plugs and have a new coolant temp sensor on the way which I am going to replace when I remove and clean out the intake manifold.

      I always use premium unleaded 91 from cheveron or shell. I think when I tested the tank might have had some "Lucas Injector Cleaner" in it. Next time I test I will keep the premium and skip any additives.

      Thanks,
      Ryan








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    Failed CA smog by ONE DARN POINT on hydrocarbon! 200 1989

    I have a Dodge Dakota that barely passes each year - HC on the border line as I recall. The guy that operates the test station does the following:

    He turns on the heater full blast during the test because he says you need to keep the head temp down. If this is true, you may not be helping yourself that much by letting the car idle while you wait in line.

    In my state (Georgia) older cars have to pass a more stringent test than the new cars. The drive wheels are on a dyno to simulate driving down the road. The car is tested at a couple different simulated road speeds. The higher speed is around 50MPH so the test operator always locks the car OUT of overdrive. I'm guessing by doing that he can actually run it at a lighter throttle load which is less polluting even though RPM's are higher. Keep in mind they're measuring parts-per-million, not TOTAL parts. So you may actually be putting MORE pollutants into the air, but since you're mixing more clean air with it big brother says you're OK.

    I'm on the verge of a political (or is it pollutical) ramble, so I'll stop now. Just wanted to offer some food for thought.
    Good luck.








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    Failed CA smog by ONE DARN POINT on hydrocarbon! 200 1989

    Hello,


    There are a few things that I would do to reduce hydrocarbon emissions.

    1. Adjust the valve clearance.

    2. Install new spark plugs.

    3. Clean the manifolds.

    4. Replace the fuel injectors.

    5. Recondition the valves.

    6. Recondition the bottom end.

    7. Replace the catalytic converter.


    Changing the spark plug wires may increase the high tension voltage slightly. This could increase the radius of the arc an infinitesimal amount leading to a proportionally small increase in flame front propagation speed. The larger the initial arc radius, the smaller the time until total combustion.


    1. Fitting new spark plugs will increase the ignition arc radius via reducing the gap between the electrodes.

    2. Adjusting the valve clearance will increase the amount of time the intake and exhaust valves are open. This will result in a more complete combustion.

    3. Cleaning the intake manifold will reduce the amount of high molecular weight hydrocarbons drawn into the cylinder. The lighter a fuel molecule, the faster the pyrolysis. The faster the combustion the more complete it is. Cleaning the exhaust manifold will enhance the elimination of exhaust.

    4. Replacing the fuel injectors will lead to further atomization of the fuel. This will lead to a quicker and more complete combustion cycle.

    5. Reconditioning the valves will increase compression. The increased compression will lead to a more complete combustion.

    6. Reconditioning the bottom end will also increase compression.

    7. Replacing the catalytic converter will increase the active surface area of the catalyst. Increasing the effective surface area will increase oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons.


    You might do well to gamble with a retest.

    Good Luck,
    Goatman







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