Failed Emissions

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 21, 2004 | 02:32 PM

couleeman

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,507

Likes: 0

From: Magrath

Failed Emissions

My sister has a 1987 Bonneville. She just called me and said that it failed emission testing (Toronto, Ont. Canada).

At 40 KPH it passes with flying colors, it is just at an idle the CO2 it to high (3 times the acceptable limit)

The car has a rough idle now. My question is, what would cause it to fail this test? Is there something specific to look at? I have heard that running a thicker weight synthetic oil will sometimes help it pass, is this true.

I plan on replacing the plugs, wires, and O2 sensor this weekend. I also thought about putting in full synthetic oil in it just to get it to pass the test.

Any help would be appreciated. She really doesn't have the money to pay a mechanic so I am trying to help out where I can.

May 21, 2004 | 04:28 PM

turbo TED

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 317

Likes: 0

From: WEST TEXAS

couleeman; Try the common things at first like the pcv valve, since you are going to change the oil any way do the full seafoam treatment; this by it self
would probaly allow it to pass. The rest of the items you will be replacing
will just help, if the vehicle is burning oil I would highly recomend the rotella T
5-40 synthetic.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER. . TURBO TED

May 21, 2004 | 06:41 PM

dono

Gone but not forgotten.

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 6,521

Likes: 2

My mother had a Ford Fairmont (one of Ford's mistakes) that failed the test. I bought a small can of fuel additive (don't recall the name), let the tank get very low and added it. Passed the test with no problems,\. Good luck.
Dono

May 21, 2004 | 09:14 PM

rebocardo

Post Fiend

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 13,873

Likes: 3

From: Atlanta GA

02 sensor would probably be a good thing to replace along with the plugs and PCV. You probably have a smog pump, make sure the rubber hoses are hooked up and the cat. cnvtr air injection tube is intact. Check for exhaust leaks! Pull some codes!

May 21, 2004 | 10:53 PM

couleeman

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,507

Likes: 0

From: Magrath

Thanks for all your advice so far. I intend on putting a bunch of Seafoam in thier tank prior to them going back home. The other thing I found out was my brother in law has yet to change the oil in the car since he got it, and they have put 15000km on the car. I am guessing an oil change may help on the emissions testing.

May 22, 2004 | 08:11 PM

couleeman

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,507

Likes: 0

From: Magrath

Pulled codes, there were none. I cleaned off the MAF sensor and replaced the O2 sensor. At the same time I replaced the plugs and wires. The wires looked like the original wires, as well as the plugs. They were in rough shape. I ran seafoam in through the fuel system via the intake, just after the MAF sensor. I ended up changing the oil as well, figured why not.

They say the car runs better than ever before, and you don't smell gas when you start it now. Hopefully it will pass the air test now.

May 23, 2004 | 12:13 AM

Icicle

Postmaster

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 4,038

Likes: 2

From: Spokane WA

Im sure by the sounds of the way the car has been maintained it will pass now that you have done a tune-up.....It sounds like you had WAY too much unburnt fuel at idle due to a poorly tuned car......the running it almost empty and adding a can of sea-foam trick will help clean out the fuel system AND help you pass emmisions, good luck