PA Emissions -Failed - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Duke2.6 · #46 04-05-2005, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lofat

If you are running rich to the point that your mpg's and power have dropped considerably there is a strong likelyhood that you have cooked your catalytic converter.

I dispute this statement. If the engine is running rich there is no O2 in the exhaust to support oxidation, nor will reduction be supported, so the catalyst just doesn't do anything. The matrix may temporarily foul with hydrocarbons, but they should burn off and the catalyst's performance will return to normal with time once the correct stoichiometric mixture is restored.

Duke

A264172 · #47 05-03-2006, 08:44 AM

Passed again...

Mode-----------CO%---------------HCppm-----------------RPM-------Dilution
2speed idle---Limit-Reading-P/F-----Limit-Reading-P/F---Read-Resu-Read-Resu
Idle-------------1.2---0.66----Pass-----220--189----Pass----727-Valid--14.9-Valid
2500 rmp------1.2---0.56----Pass------220---80----Pass---2329-Valid--15.0-Valid

Not so sure of the exact test conditions, as I was not present at the test station during the test, but the tech said he let it idle in advance of the test as I had requested.

Less than two month old plugs and O2 sensor.
Regular Sea-Foam treatments (1/3 bottle ported into the intake manifold and burned off at 2500 rpm's)

An interesting side note: my gas cap failed the first pressure test and the tech called me to advise... he gave me the option of supplying my own part... I had purchased a new gas cap seal from Phill a little while back so I told him I would bring it down. My gas cap had been run over by something in a little memory related filling station accidet I had over the winter so I was not completely confident in it's integrety, so I stoped at the local parts chain and bought a $3.97 replacement cap on my way to the test station as a backup. When I got there I handed the tech the new cap fresh from it's packageing. The NEW cap failed the pressure test! So I popped the old seal off the OEM cap and replaced it with the fresh one, while the tech stood shaking his head. The 20 year old run-over MB cap with brand new seal proceded to pass. Moral: Beware cheap junk!

Duke2.6 · #48 05-03-2006, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the follow-up.

Does your car have to be tested every year in PA?

In the future I suggest you find a place than can run the test while you wait. Be sure the car is properly "conditioned" by fully warming it up, and get it on the machine as soon as possible so the catalyst doesn't have time to cool down.

Duke

mctwin2kman · #49 05-03-2006, 12:33 PM

Man I am sure glad that the whole state does not do that. Although I do think they should, but in York County we get the visual inspection for all components for non-OBD II cars and a gas cap test. OBD-II cars get plugged in to the computer and it checks to see if everything is in working order. No tail pipe sniffer here. I guess it is only for the larger cities or counties in PA that get the real test.

Edit: Yeah here it is $45-$50 and basically a useless test every year when the car has it normal yearly inspection.

A264172 · #50 05-03-2006, 01:24 PM

Yes yearly, and only in a few countys for tailpipe testing. There have been, failed, efforts to make the whole inspection process biannual.

Unfortunatly the mechanics I have the best relationship with are not certified emmisions testers and outsource that job, making my test time subject to the whim of a busy shop that doesn't know me from Adam. If it becomes necessary at some point in future I am sure I will be able to make it happen though.

mctwin2kman · #51 05-03-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

Yes yearly, and only in a few countys for tailpipe testing. There have been, failed, efforts to make the whole inspection process biannual.

Unfortunatly the mechanics I have the best relationship with are not certified emmisions testers and outsource that job, making my test time subject to the whim of a busy shop that doesn't know me from Adam. If it becomes necessary at some point in future I am sure I will be able to make it happen though.

Our test PC saves the results and sends it to PennDOT. Only way to fake it would be use an existing good car and not your own. I would have to ask the Techs if this is possible on OBD-II equipped cars, but know of course it is possible on pre-OBD-II. Basically you should be able to just give them your VIN and they use a diferent car to test and then they give you the sticker. Our guys will not do anything shadey, not even for the IT guy who keeps there crap working.

A264172 · #52 05-03-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mctwin2kman

Our test PC saves the results and sends it to PennDOT. Only way to fake it would be use an existing good car and not your own. I would have to ask the Techs if this is possible on OBD-II equipped cars, but know of course it is possible on pre-OBD-II. Basically you should be able to just give them your VIN and they use a diferent car to test and then they give you the sticker. Our guys will not do anything shadey, not even for the IT guy who keeps there crap working.

Right. From what I have seen, here in Allegheny county, there is a test machine that is connected directly to Harrisburg. The tech puts the gas analyzer in the tail pipe, punches in the vin#, and idles and or holds it at 2500 rpm's as directed by the equipment. Then the device indicates Pass or Fail and prints out a report. If the car fails the tech is supposed to do conditioning (top off oil and heat up the car) and run the test again. If the car fails the second test it's owner is given a report of the best of the two results and a pamphlet that describes possible causes. You have 30 days to make repairs and return to the test station for a retest (same as 1st) at no additional cost...

As to faking the results I am sure it could be done because I have heard of people buying their inspection and emissions stickers for aprox $100.00 -$200.00... But the state also offers a waiver for owners who spend a documented $150.00+ on emissions related repairs and still fail to pass so it does not seem to make much sense to buy an ilegal sticker when you could have a legal one for not much more money and the 'fresh' parts to boot...

mctwin2kman · #53 05-04-2006, 08:45 AM

That is the way our system is. Pass/Fail and linked to the Burg PennDOT Office. You can also get a waiver if you drive less than 5K miles a year.

MB fan 2 · #54 06-16-2006, 01:35 AM

I just went through the CA smog test here and barely passed with a new catalytic converter (the old one with 250,000 miles did not pass). The new catalytic converter droped the emissions significantly but HC was still high close to upper limit. The CES injection has been working correctly.

Anyway my question to Duke and others regarding having a heated up catalytic converter before the test is this:
I am aware of a special heat retaining tape that is used in race engines to retain temperature inside the exhaust headers. It is called Thermo-Tec. What if one were to wrap the piping up to the inlet of the converter with this tape? Would that be allowed by law? Cause that would definetely help retain much more heat in the CAT input.

I know for a fact it works cause when I had installed headers on my 89 Honda CRX SI it failed the smog test despite the CARB-approved headers. I wrapped them with this tape and the emissions dropped tremendously and it passed easily. The tech did not say anything about them but I do not know if it is legal to do so. Anyone knows?

mctwin2kman · #55 06-16-2006, 08:56 AM

Header tape is allowed. I had it on my 190 when I had a cracked header to try and keep the sound down to pass emmissions here, visual no sniffing in York County PA. It does also help to keep under hood temps down as well as keep the header hotter to flow the exhaust gases better. Some say to keep wrapping as far as you can to help keep exhaust gas velocites up and therefore gain a few HP due to more efficient flow.

A264172 · #56 10-01-2007, 04:31 PM

Mode-----------CO%---------------HCppm-----------------RPM-------Dilution
2speed idle---Limit-Reading-P/F-----Limit-Reading-P/F---Read-Resu-Read-Resu
Idle----------1.2---0.61-----Pass-----220--187----Pass----635-Valid--15.0-Valid
2500 rmp----1.2---0.46----Pass------220---55----Pass---2546-Valid--15.0-Valid

Year old plugs, can of Seafoam into the intake in thirds (over the prior month), and week old oil (sorry Joe)... She gets oil changes every 5,000 running 0-40 Mobil 1, and Seafoam about once a quarter.

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