I just got my 88 for free from a relative and I went to get it the
emissions inspection and it faied it, so I am stuck with no car until
it passes. I would like to do must, if not all, the work my self. I
am very good at repairing cars. The only thing I did before the
inspection was put new spark plugs(wires, cap, roter were replaced
last year and r n good shape) and air filter and put some STP in
it. The car was setting 4 almost a year but was crank a lest once a
year and I drained out must of that old gas.
After the inspetion I found some broken vacum hoses and have replaced
them and changed the oil. Is this enough or do I need to do more? And
y did the NOx pass on the 2nd and not the 1st?

Emission Result
25/25 Test
Reading Allowed
HC ppm 383 162
CO% 2.9 1.04
NOx pmm 1358 1163
50/15 Test
HC ppm 423 167
CO% 3.67 0.94
NOx pmm 1059 1273

Thanks,
Adam

One thing I didn't see mentioned is an oil change. It's about the most common recommendation I'm aware of regarding emissions tests.

What State do you live in? I test cars in WI.
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Blue '89 Volvo 244 DL 5-speed w/ 176k

I tested the O2 sensor and I got 0 omh and 2 volts after the "closed loop" cycle and with the RPM's up a bit I got 0 ohm and 15 volts. Sounds like I need to get a new sensor, right?
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88 240DL a.k.a The Blue Tank

Run the tank to near empty, then pour a bottle of Techron in, and fill up with the highest octane gas your area offers.

Then go out and take the car for a hard driving spin. Get the Revs up really high. This will blast out some carbon deposits that might be in the engine.

When you take the emissions test, make sure the car is fully warm.

Everyone else has covered anything else I might suggest.

I was able to get my '80 though last month here in Oregon on the first try with out having to fix anything. (They require all cars made after '75 to get tested here.) It didn't sit for a year though...

Good luck!
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"

I had a similar problem with two cars I own. One a 1991 Volvo the other a 1986 BMW. Go to Kragen, PEP Boys or Auto Zone and get a bottle of a cleaner that garentees that you will pass emmissions or your money back. I forget exactly what it is called but is costs around $13.00. Best investment I ever made. I used it on both cars after they had failed the first time. Put it in the tank after filling up. Works like a charm.

You must live in California. If you can, take it somewhere where you do not need an emissions check or maybe get an exemption. That's just wrong you have to get a car that old checked. We only have 2 out of 88 counties in Ohio that check emmissions. On older cars (newer than 1980) it's only a visual check anyway to make sure there's a cat and pcv. If you can't pass there, go to another county.
Ben

I dont live in CA I live in GA and moving is not an option for me but thanks anyway for the help.
Adam
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88 240DL a.k.a The Blue Tank

Changing the vacuum hoses was a good thing to do.

High HC and CO normally indicate unburned fuel, Rich burn. Does the car run well or does it miss some times? What brand of plugs and wires are on it? Some brands don't work to well in Volvo engines. High NOx normally indicates a lean burn which should be helped by fixing the vacuum leaks. Can you drive it enough to get a couple of tanks of fresh gas through it? Use a can of injector cleaner also. Techron is highly recommended on the brickboard.

Normal operation with emission control is to vary from slightly lean to slightly rich running condition. On the slightly rich cycle, the Cat burns the unburned Fuel to lower the HC and CO. During this rich period, the Cat also stores CO which is used in a chemical reaction on the slightly lean cycle to reduce the NOx. Your car seems to be going too far in both directions, giving high readings for all three emission products. The bad vacuum hoses might cause this, but this is also why I asked about the engine miss. The control system works by sensing the O2 in the exhaust and adjusting the fuel volume. If the engine is missing, even ocassionally, it can confuse the control system into thinking that the engine is running very rich. The control response is to compensates by leaning the fuel out greatly. In essence overeacting.

It is possble that the Cat is gone, but you need to make sure that it is working in a normal control range first. The Cat can only function if the fuel mix is reasonably close to the right range. A faulty O2 sensor can also cause problems and you should test it to be sure. (May show up when setting the CO setpoint as recommended below.)

Follow the procedures in the FAQ section on cleaning the throttle body and Idle air valve. Set the base idle and adjust the CO setpoint. Clen out the flame trap - clean the brass fitting connected to the small hose at the intake. Buy the Bentley's 240 repair manual. It isn't cheap ($35 - $40), but you will be forever grateful for spending the money if you plan to maintain this car.

Good Luck. Hope you live in an area where emission re-tests are free.

Dan

The car runs great, but every now and then the car dose miss fire but it is bearly noticalbe and gose away when the car is warmed up. The wires, cap, etc. are all Bosch. I have run 2 fresh tanks of gas though it. And I have cleaned the flame trap and one of the hoses from it(the smaller one)had to be relace due to it being so cluged up. I have Hanes repair manual cause it was only $10.00.
Thanks for the help and the retest is free thankfully.
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88 240DL a.k.a The Blue Tank

In my limited experience, you need a new cat for the NOX correction. Since the car is new to you, consider replacing the entire exhaust system. Cat-back is around $110 from fcpgroton.com, and the cat you can get from dealer (if you are a masochist) from said fcpgroton, AutoZone, etc. Some cats may need welding, my nearby Meineke does it for me.

Correction of the other flunks will need thing other than exhaust system. Did you replace the air hose? Large accordian hose between AMM and throttle body? The bottom side gets holes hard to locate, and labor to remove and check is same as if installling a new ($25 +/-) hose.

Consider also a new oxygen sensor.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

No i did not replace it, it did not need to be replace it is in good shape. Thanks for the help.
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88 240DL a.k.a The Blue Tank