Smog check

[wws944]

Time for the bi-annual smog check, as I have, in the words of the Kalifornia DOT, a "high emitter profile". Good news was everything passed. CO and NOx were basically zero. HC was not as good. Higher levels than average, but still passing. He said it is probably because I don't drive it enough, though I did put about 4-5 highway miles on it going to the shop to make sure it was well warmed up.

Shop owner looked through his database. Out of 40k cars, mine was the only Reatta his shop had ever done. Guess Kit must go somewhere else. He said he does a lot of 3800s generically.

What is a typical HC number for a 3800 of our vintage? Mine measured 38 ppm at 15 mph and 29 ppm at 25 mph. (Max allowable is 76 and 58, average is 26 and 19.)

[Guest Kitskaboodle]

Stop yer cryin.......it passed didnt it?

OK...here's my test results Walter:

90 coupe / 179, 572 miles / test done on 1/3/11

At 15 mph (HC 23ppm) (CO 0.08%) (NOx 290ppm)

At 25 mph (HC 16ppm) (CO 0.05%) (NOx 263ppm)

My Reatta always passes. And so does my Toyota truck with 290K.

It's my Fiero's that give me all the grief at the smog shop.

Kit

[Tim Harris]

In Ontario we have a 25 MPH test and an Idle test. My Last one

25MPH HC 52ppm (Limit 55) CO 0.04 (Limit 0.31) NO 0ppm (Limit 612)

Idle HC 41ppm (Limit 200) CO 0.01 (Limit 1.00) NO N/A

One year my NO failed badly, over 1000 A new catalytic converter brought it down to 0.

I was always against the smog testing but the test did its's job by flagging my car even when it seemed to be running OK.

In Ontario at one time once the car was over 20 years no further testing was required, but they changed the rule just before mine turned 20, now testing for life.

[harry yarnell]

I should count my blessings.

Here in Maryland, we have NO mechanical inspections except at time of purchase (sale).

Emissions are good for 2 years.

Cars 20 years old are eligible for historic status; NO mechanical OR emissions testing required.

[wws944]

Stop yer cryin.......it passed didnt it?

Not cryin', just always interested in the results and wondering why my HC is 50% higher than average - and yours for that matter.

...My Reatta always passes. And so does my Toyota truck with 290K.

It's my Fiero's that give me all the grief at the smog shop.

My problem child is my beater Regal. It is always marginal. Hmm. The 2.8s in your Fieros are basically the same engine as the 3.1 in my Regal...

Edited October 20, 2011 by wws944 (see edit history)

[padgett]

My experience with 2.8-3.1-3.4s is that over 100k they burn some oil - that may be affecting your readings.

[Guest steveskyhawk]

FWIW, my cars always pass smog easily. In preparation for the test I run them down the freeway in drive (not overdrive) at 70 MPH for about 5 miles. This maintains a loaded rpm of nearly 3000. It helps to make sure the A/C is off when tested also.

[wws944]

My experience with 2.8-3.1-3.4s is that over 100k they burn some oil - that may be affecting your readings.

Don't know its exact mileage, but is well into the 200k range. Have used Mobil-1 in it since mid-'90s. It really burns very little oil - could be a poster child for using synthetic. O2 sensor has been replaced at least once. Still has its original cat, which is probably getting a little tired.

Someone told me he always puts HEET in the tank before smog tests. Gets almost ULEV numbers in his 454 Suburban.

[padgett]

Well alcohol does burn very cleanly.

[Guest gotitright]

Real lucky here in South Carolina - no tests on anything!

[NTX5467]

I would think that 10+ miles on the freeway would be better than just 5 miles. To me, 5 miles isn't even time for the oil temp to get up to what the water temp is. Even some heavy throttle to put more fuel into the converter to ensure that it's fully fired-up. The converter has to be up to operating temp just as the engine needs to be for the best emissions performance.

When emissions testing first came to TX, one of the things recommended was a fresh oil change before the test. PLUS having the converter up to temperature.

Regards,

NTX5467