Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 22:52:52 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Not passing smog, still... Need help!
In-Reply-To: <FCEEIGDOKPNNIFBPGKDJCEMFCNAA.steven@epochdesign.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The low CO reading is a bit low but this may be a sign the cat is
working. The fact that you have excessive HC at idle indicates a either
a "lean miss-fire" or a valve problem. The lean miss fire may be caused
by an out of tolerance injector or a small vacuum leak. Excessive carbon
deposits on the valves may also be a problem. Most idle tests will allow
you to idle the engine up to 1,100 RPM. Turn the idle up to about 1,000
RPM. This will help even the mixture across the cylinders, allow more
air to reduce the HC and help eliminate the lean miss. It will also help
to drive the van on the road and then immediately get it onto the test
machine. You probably only have to get the HC below 200 at idle to pass.
You are very close. Also make sure that the oil is fairly clean, correct
viscosity, and not over-filled. Hope this helps.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Steven Dodson
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 10:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Not passing smog, still... Need help!
Here are the readings from today's smog test:
2662 RPM
HC = 38
CO = .06
CO2 = 13.6
O2 = 2.1
Idle
900 RPM
HC = 202
CO = .08
CO2 = 12.7
O2 = 3.3
Readings from the previous test. (different smog station)
2461 RPM
HC = 39
CO = .10
CO2 = 15.0
O2 = .4
Idle
880 RPM
HC = 199
CO = .08
CO2 = 14.4
O2 = 1.8
I have run 2 bottles of injector/valve cleaner through the tank.
I have not checked the compression yet, assumed it was OK, until now.
I will get a compression tester tomorrow. Timing is right on target.
Hope this info sheds light on the problem. Thanks guys!
-Steven Dodson
Kneeland, CA
"Inga" the 87 Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of G. Matthew Bulley
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 5:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Not passing smog, still... Need help!
Steven--
Could you post the other numbers; (NOx, CO, CO2). The HC on its own is
inconclusive. With the very limited evidence, here are a couple of
possible leads to check.
1.. Bad O2 sensor
2.. low compression *(run MMO for a tank, then add Motor Honey for the
test)
3.. crusty valves or injectors (run a bottle of Techron through the
tank)
4.. timing off
5.. ruined cat due to expired O2 sensor for extended period
(weeks/months)
Send the full numbers, and lets go from there.
Developing business and guiding change since 1996,
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Marketing & Communications
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
AIM = IExplain4u
Phone: +1.919.658.1278
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Steven Dodson
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 7:59 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Not passing smog, still... Need help!
I'm still trying to smog Inga. I'm planning a diesel conversion for late
spring / early summer 2003, so I don't want to dump a bunch more money
into
her.
Here's some history: (skip to "problem" below if necessary, kind of
long)
My ex-mechanic had done a pre-purchase inspection on her, said she was
solid, had good compression and was in great condition. One given was
she
wouldn't pass smog, he put a new cat and muffler on her tested it with
his
smog machine, it passed, so it appeared. A second smog check proved
otherwise. He claimed that the smog facilities machine must be wrong.
They
did some checking and said they found some loose wires, blah, blah,
spent
lots of time and my money and finally claimed it was fixed and would
pass
smog, again according to their smog machine. Took it back for a smog
check
and of coarse it failed again. I took Inga to a second smog facility to
rule
out the claim of the mechanic, it failed. It was at this point that I
started noticing the tacho problem, which turned out to be the ECU, when
replaced that problem immediately stopped. I have since checked and
cleaned
out the idle stabilizer valve and controller, replaced the fuel filter,
cleaned out the fuel injectors (#2 had a questionable spray pattern) and
replaced plugs and wires (plugs were 100% out of spec). A third smog
test
this morning netted "FAILED".
My ex-mechanic claimed to have done a lot of stuff, like checking
compression. When I removed a plug, I found that the plug was dirty and
gap
was about .070", turned out all of them were like that. Also, the plug
wires
were in pour condition. You'd think that if they took the plugs out to
check
the compression, they would have seen or noted the plug and/or wire
condition. This leads me to believe that they may not have done all they
said they did during the 2.5 weeks they had Inga.
The problem/s?:
The smog is failing the idle test with HC running between 220-280 (150
max).
If I adjust the CO screw, it corrects the problem, temporarily. It seems
to
me that the ECU is seeing a rich or lean mix and is adjusting
accordingly.
Just replaced the ECU, so I doubt it could be the cause. Could it be the
Ox
sensor? I will test that out tomorrow. When the throttle is released,
the
rpms go down to about 1100-1200 for a bit (10-30 sec) and then finally
drops
to 850-900. Would the idle stabilizer cause this? I checked it, cleaned
it
out really good and checked contacts on the controller, not that it
makes a
difference. I found a very small exhaust leak near #3 header (tiny
bubbles),
don't think this will effect the outcome much, I will fix it anyway.
I'm a bit puzzled. Any thoughts? Thanks!
-Steven Dodson
Kneeland, CA
"Inga" the 87 Syncro