Sy Gross Polluter in California

[mtb9192]

Well as my subject line says, my Sy was labeled a "Gross Polluter" today when I attempted to have it smogged in the wonderful state of California. I haven't got a clue how this could happen? In past years of smog tests my Sy always tested way low on the Hydrocarbons level. But this time at an idle it measured at 290ppm and the legal limit is 120ppm. Funny thing is it measured only 30ppm HC at 2500RPM so it looks like my Sy is much cleaner running at freeway speeds?

Anybody had any experience with getting through this mess and becoming recertified in CAor any state that does bi-annual smog inspections?

 

[Nasariobv]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

Well as my subject line says, my Sy was labeled a "Gross Polluter" today when I attempted to have it smogged in the wonderful state of California. I haven't got a clue how this could happen? In past years of smog tests my Sy always tested way low on the Hydrocarbons level. But this time at an idle it measured at 290ppm and the legal limit is 120ppm. Funny thing is it measured only 30ppm HC at 2500RPM so it looks like my Sy is much cleaner running at freeway speeds?

Anybody had any experience with getting through this mess and becoming recertified in CAor any state that does bi-annual smog inspections?

my sy would never pass no matter what until, i did a complete tune up, plugs, wires, cap and rotor, on low octane gas and some smog liquid in put in the fuel, i had the sy smogged within an hour. and it barely passed.

 

[AUSyTyIN]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

Pull timing and fuel pressure, run low octane, and make sure you get the truck really hot. I passed my Ty through Colorado's emissions without a cat with that setup :lol:

 

[joshjes]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

I didn't pass one day because I didn't get it hot. This was right after a tune up too.I drove it hard at higher rpms in 2nd and 3rd gears with the air on before I went the next time and passed no problem. Your Cat needs to be hot enough to burn off any extra fuel in the exhaust. :tup:

 

[mtb9192]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

Thanks every one for your input. I had a complete tune-up done back in January when I had my front end completely rebuilt. The truck has only been driven about 200 miles since that tune up was done so can't be much wrong unless the shop which did the work did something wrong?

A far as I know the Cat is the original unit and so is the O2 sensor. Maybe they need to be changed after 65k original miles?

Also I have ran 4 tanks of Union 76 100 octane race gas during the time I've owned this truck. Last tank of race gas was put in back late last summer. Can the use of race gas mess up anything?

Just before I left the truck at my smog test shop, I jumped on the freeway and ran it hard for about 3 miles. The technician told me to drive it into the service bay and leave the engine running. While I sat there and waited, it must have idled for at least 20minutes, so it was good and hot when they ran the test. It was the idle test which it failed HC measurement levels.

When you say run low octane gas? I presume by that you mean run the lowest grade we have here in California which is unleaded regular at 87 octane. How long after I burn off the current tank of 91 octane premium unleaded should I put in a few bucks of 87 octane and drive it slowly to be tested again? Wouldn't want to put my foot into it with that crappy low octane gas.

Then after it passes and I'm assuming it will? Then I could top it off with 100 octane to bring the tank back to performance levels.

Guess I should buy a bottle of that stuff to pass smog test before I take it back over?

Thanks again everyone.

 

[gjp]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

can you go to any station? I might have a hook up. PM me.

 

[TYPHOOL7]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

can you go to any station? I might have a hook up. PM me.

It just isnt worth flagging a smog shop by having them pass a previous gross polluter, so if its a pay to pass thing; id only do it if you didnt like the guy... if thats what your suggesting. my 2c

 

[Andreas]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

Isn't race gas hard on the O2 sensor? If its org O2 sensor its seems to be a good idea to get e new one anyways.

Intake, plenum gasket gone bad? VAC lines.
I had terrible emmision values before I get new gaskets in.

now the emmision values are good again.

Also, did the mechanics when they did the tune up know that they should disconnect tan-wire when setting the timing (if the did adjust timing). Otherwise timing is way off.

 

[jamnut]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

Isn't race gas hard on the O2 sensor? If its org O2 sensor its seems to be a good idea to get e new one anyways.

Leaded race gas is hard on non Lead tolerant O2's, I would think that 100 octane gas would probably be unleaded.

 

[gjp]

Re: Sy Gross Polluter in California

It just isnt worth flagging a smog shop by having them pass a previous gross polluter, so if its a pay to pass thing; id only do it if you didnt like the guy... if thats what your suggesting. my 2c

What I was trying to say is He helped me pass my cars in the past. He will not try to rip you off and has good ways to make a car pass. He will go the extra mile to help a guy out. Nothing ilegal. Just a good smog tec.