Need help with emissions PLEASE!

V6 Technical/Performance Discussions
User avatar
_-Night-Shade-_
Senior Member
Posts: 2664
Joined: January 15th, 2009, 8:00 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by _-Night-Shade-_ »

Hey guys, no matter what I try I just can't seem to get my recently acquired 94 GS to pass emissions. I knew I had to do a bit of engine work but I didn't think it was this bad. It's failing HC and NO and is running slightly lean actually. I've put in good O2 sensors, good crankshaft position sensor. Plugs and wires are good. Seafoamed the engine, fresh oil change. Checked ignition timing, it's like 10.5 BTDC so that's fine. VAF is good. I'm using stock intake so EGR and everything seems to be hooked up, is there a possibility it's not working without giving me codes? The catalytic is apparently like 1 year old but it's not OEM, however I checked the integrity by measuring the exhaust pipe temp before and after the cat and it's like 170F hotter after the cat so it seems to be working fine. I'm wondering maybe it's a high flow? I've even readjusted the TPS a little to compensate for running lean, helped the A/F ratio a bit but I'm still failing. I know coolant sensor plays a role as well but there are no signs that it's bad. The guy suggested that an aftermarket muffler might cause the cat to run hotter since backpressure cools it down (I think that's BS). Another thing: I know the timing belt hasn't been changed for a really long time, would it be possible that it maybe slipped by a tooth or something so that the performance change isn't noticeable but the slightly offset valve timing is indirectly messing up the ignition timing? Like maybe some of the mixture slips by the exhaust valves or something? (I'm just hoping I don't have burnt valves)

Anyways I just don't know what else to do cause it seems like I've tried everything. The funny thing is the car runs great unless you stick a probe into the tailpipe and get the readings, lol. I'm getting great fuel economy too. This is so strange.... any suggestions?
--------------------------------------------
[WORKLOG] [FOR SALE] [Wishlist] [Feedback]
Collier
Regular Member
Posts: 32
Joined: December 6th, 2008, 10:32 pm
Location: Dallas TX - republican land

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Collier »

When I had a bad cat I used a bottle of RXP and put in premium. I passed but the next year I used failing emmissions to get a high-flow cat and a custom exhaust.
User avatar
_-Night-Shade-_
Senior Member
Posts: 2664
Joined: January 15th, 2009, 8:00 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by _-Night-Shade-_ »

Anyone...?
--------------------------------------------
[WORKLOG] [FOR SALE] [Wishlist] [Feedback]
User avatar
Mad Cow
Regular Member
Posts: 987
Joined: October 1st, 2008, 10:32 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Mad Cow »

Maybe the EGR valve is a bit stuck or gummed up. I've heard of this happening, you have to take out the valve and clean it out, but don't ask me how to do it because I don't have EGR. You would notice if the timing belt skipped a tooth, that's enough to make it run badly. You should still try swapping the coolant temp sensor, mine didn't give me a code but it made the car run pig rich and it would actually flood after a few minutes of idling.

And did you do the full seafoam treatment?
KLZE-ed '94 RS/'92 GS hybrid -- It's complicated :lol: -- Now somebody's winter beater
1999 Audi A4 2.8Q -- New ride
User avatar
fowljesse
Supporting Member
Posts: 5676
Joined: March 17th, 2006, 2:59 pm
Location: portland, OR
Contact:

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by fowljesse »

After checking the EGR, try 2¾ Oz. pure Acetone, and 1 Oz. 90% Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol in a full tank. It has worked for several MX-3s, including mine with a hollowed out cat, and for several of my other cars. Run the car for at least 5 miles after adding them, and be sure the car is hot when you go into the test.
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
User avatar
_-Night-Shade-_
Senior Member
Posts: 2664
Joined: January 15th, 2009, 8:00 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by _-Night-Shade-_ »

fowljesse wrote:After checking the EGR, try 2¾ Oz. pure Acetone, and 1 Oz. 90% Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol in a full tank. It has worked for several MX-3s, including mine with a hollowed out cat, and for several of my other cars. Run the car for at least 5 miles after adding them, and be sure the car is hot when you go into the test.
I'm guessing this will dilute the emissions?
--------------------------------------------
[WORKLOG] [FOR SALE] [Wishlist] [Feedback]
User avatar
Flyer
Regular Member
Posts: 815
Joined: November 7th, 2007, 6:17 am

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Flyer »

Try a litre of methyl hydrate into the gas tank...
MrMazda92 wrote:I find Honduh forums more helpful, typically more pleasant too.
User avatar
Nd4SpdSe
Senior Member
Posts: 11212
Joined: May 25th, 2002, 2:01 am
Location: Québec City, Quebec, Canada
Contact:

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Nd4SpdSe »

Image
1992 Mazda Mx-3 GSR - 2.5L KLZE : Award Winning Show Car & Race Car ['02-'09] (Retired)
2004 Mazda RX-8 GT - Renesis Wankel : LS3 Coils, BHR Mid-Pipe + Falken RT-615K 245/40r18
2011 Mazda Mazda2 GS - 1.5L Manual : Yozora Edition (1 of 500)
2003 Nissan Xterra SE - 4x4 Supercharged : 2" Body Lift, 4" Suspension Lift & 33" MTR Kevlar
2001 Nissan Frontier SE - The Frontrailer : Expedition/Off-Road Trailer Project
User avatar
_-Night-Shade-_
Senior Member
Posts: 2664
Joined: January 15th, 2009, 8:00 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by _-Night-Shade-_ »

Nd4SpdSe wrote:Image
I wish it was that simple...
--------------------------------------------
[WORKLOG] [FOR SALE] [Wishlist] [Feedback]
User avatar
Nd4SpdSe
Senior Member
Posts: 11212
Joined: May 25th, 2002, 2:01 am
Location: Québec City, Quebec, Canada
Contact:

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Nd4SpdSe »

_-Night-Shade-_ wrote:I wish it was that simple...
Maybe is it?....
1992 Mazda Mx-3 GSR - 2.5L KLZE : Award Winning Show Car & Race Car ['02-'09] (Retired)
2004 Mazda RX-8 GT - Renesis Wankel : LS3 Coils, BHR Mid-Pipe + Falken RT-615K 245/40r18
2011 Mazda Mazda2 GS - 1.5L Manual : Yozora Edition (1 of 500)
2003 Nissan Xterra SE - 4x4 Supercharged : 2" Body Lift, 4" Suspension Lift & 33" MTR Kevlar
2001 Nissan Frontier SE - The Frontrailer : Expedition/Off-Road Trailer Project
User avatar
_-Night-Shade-_
Senior Member
Posts: 2664
Joined: January 15th, 2009, 8:00 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by _-Night-Shade-_ »

Catalytic is fine, no vaccum leaks, O2 feedback is good, timing is good... and no codes. That's like almost everything from that chart.
--------------------------------------------
[WORKLOG] [FOR SALE] [Wishlist] [Feedback]
User avatar
Mad Cow
Regular Member
Posts: 987
Joined: October 1st, 2008, 10:32 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Mad Cow »

You could always try swapping in a KLDE IM and telling them to test it under hot rod standards because it has the motor from a 626. But that pretty much only works in canadian tire, and not every store.
KLZE-ed '94 RS/'92 GS hybrid -- It's complicated :lol: -- Now somebody's winter beater
1999 Audi A4 2.8Q -- New ride
progt91
Regular Member
Posts: 71
Joined: May 19th, 2009, 12:33 am
antispam: No
Location: Bowmanville On

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by progt91 »

it would probably help if you posted the numbers the car is currently getting, that can help with a diagnosis.
User avatar
fowljesse
Supporting Member
Posts: 5676
Joined: March 17th, 2006, 2:59 pm
Location: portland, OR
Contact:

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by fowljesse »

_-Night-Shade-_ wrote:
fowljesse wrote:After checking the EGR, try 2¾ Oz. pure Acetone, and 1 Oz. 90% Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol in a full tank. It has worked for several MX-3s, including mine with a hollowed out cat, and for several of my other cars. Run the car for at least 5 miles after adding them, and be sure the car is hot when you go into the test.
I'm guessing this will dilute the emissions?
It basically would clean your fuel system, and burn more cleanly. Acetone loosens the molecular bond in the gas molecule, so it atomized better, and burns more completely.
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
Whisper
Regular Member
Posts: 946
Joined: April 13th, 2007, 12:34 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: Need help with emissions PLEASE!

Post by Whisper »

Could it be that your cat is simply rubbish, and isn't actually cleaning anything? It's not hollow, right?

And EGR might not throw a code if it's something that's just dirty...
Post Reply

Return to “V6 Technical/Performance”