Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:29:20 -0400
Reply-To: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: 2.1 Syncro; Failed Emissions "Say it isnt so Joe:" :o)
In-Reply-To: <101820082103.28542.48FA4F1F000EE0D400006F7E2215578674CECFCFCD9F9D0EBCB6@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
John,
Stick with Regular Gas... premium will make things worse, as the motor was
designed to run on Regular.
A new muffler will NOT effect emission, leaks before the CAT / O2 will
however. After the CAT, no effect on emissions.
Check ALL your vacuum hoses for tight and proper fit.
Check for air leaks by the intake, and the AFM.
If all is fine, then adjusting the AFM, or trying a near by friend's (borrow
the AFM off another Vanagon which passed recently).
Have you done a "leak down" to make sure you have full compression at each
cly? When you changed the plugs did they all look the same?
Check all your electrical sensors, clean and re-connect using Di-Electric
grease. Clean all your ground straps.
Run a tank full of Techron (use the 20 gal concentration on a full tank).
http://www.chevron.com/products/ourfuels/prodserv/additives/tcp.aspx
The new CAT and o2 can't hurt, but not sure how much it will help.
My guess is a vacuum leak, or bad AFM...
If all else fails, move to Michigan, we don't do emission testing any longer
(It was a big racket, and studies show very little impact to air quality,
due to the majority of cars on the road pass).
Best of luck to you!!!
Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie, with a 2.1L WBX. (owned since 1987)
N. of Detroit.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John C...
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 5:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2.1 Syncro; Failed Emissions "Say it isnt so Joe:" :o)
Hi All,
Yup, my new (to me) 87 Syncro 2.1 Failed Emissions ( for the 3rd time) !!!
Readings: ( and the third test was Way worse than the first two ) !!!
What I did between the 2nd test & the 3rd test
was to get the bus out on the freeway
& hit it hard for about 50 miles.
Kicked the cat many times
ran out the gas & put premium in it.
but readings got worse ???
RPM: 991 %CO2: 11.8 %O2: 3.3 HC: 788 CO(%): 1.53 FAIL
RPM: 2511 %CO2: 13.5 %O2: 1.6 HC: 203 CO(%): .88 PASS
I've changed oil (with 1qt Marvel), filter, air filter.
Plugs, plug wires, rotor, cap
I now have an O2 sensor, & Cat on the way.
My question is;
Will the old muffler affect Emissions?
Should it be replaced as well?
Bus runs quiet enough & I'm going to put a subbie in soon.
What can I do to the MAFM? (clean? adjust somehow?)
Timing? (retard)?
Any & all help much appreciated !!!
thanks,
John C...
