Author Topic: Failed emissions.. Please Help  (Read 10217 times)

thebutcher37

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Bad news!
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2010, 07:52:07 PM »
So I spent yesterday changing out my valve cover gasket
changing out my o2 sensor, and new NGK spark plugs... I didnt get to smog it until today and the pre-test showed fine.

BUT the actual test failed.. again... and even worse!!!!
Second Test

First Test

The car feels great i feel like the power is back since lately it has been feeling sluggish and I havent noticed any hesitation.
I dont understand how this could have gotten worse when i just changed out these brand new parts.... :mad::(:mad:

jou ma se poes in \'n fishpaste jar.
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DesktopDave

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2010, 08:21:41 PM »
That sucks.  Old cars can be a bitch to pass sometimes.  Did you get the codes out of the car?

O2 looks like it's way down, the new sensor must be doing something right.  I'm just guessing here, but I'd check the coolant temp sensor and maybe the air temp sensor in the AFM.  If one of them is wrong it'll run the car rich, which might make things look like they do.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2010, 08:26:00 PM by DesktopDave »
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

flyinglizard

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2010, 08:50:32 PM »
Read my prior post, and at least warm it up tight. ..
Mike and Michael Ogren/Protech Racing Services, mogren@tampabay.rr.com
  data analysis, driver coaching, race car development. FWDracingguide.com  . Chumpcar rental
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PumpItUp

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2010, 11:23:39 PM »
well it was obvious the valve cover gasket wouldn't make a difference.. but at least now it's done :)

Has anyone here used seafoam on their bmw? i reckon its safe (:confused:) and will help you pass but you should put your old o2 sensor back because it'll clog up your brand new one. made a massive difference for me on an old toyota.

thebutcher37

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #19 on: March 16, 2010, 11:38:58 PM »
Quote from: DesktopDave;89569
That sucks.  Old cars can be a bitch to pass sometimes.  Did you get the codes out of the car?

O2 looks like it's way down, the new sensor must be doing something right.  I'm just guessing here, but I'd check the coolant temp sensor and maybe the air temp sensor in the AFM.  If one of them is wrong it'll run the car rich, which might make things look like they do.


Sorry I forgot to mention, my CEL (Check Engine Light) Doesn't work, So Im unable to do the stomp test... Is there another way of checking? I didnt get to the multimeter test should I still try that one out?

Quote from: flyinglizard;89572
Read my prior post, and at least warm it up tight. ..


Sorry I almost have no idea of what your talking about Im a complete newb still... I drove the car about 27 miles before i had it tested and it sat idling for about 5 mins prior to actually being tested.

1. 20/50 dyno?... is that an actual oil or just a suggested weight?
2. Cam timing, i wouldn't know how to change this... But i will search how... sounds difficult.
3.spark plug gap how do i know how far wide it will run (NGK bkr6ek)
4.drygas, ill look into it.
5.AFM, how do i raise the pressure 2 clicks?

Thanks for the suggestions

jou ma se poes in \'n fishpaste jar.
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DesktopDave

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2010, 06:17:40 AM »
I'd check the bulb on the dash.  They burn out...if you need a spare or two PM me, I have a bunch.  Pulling the cluster is difficult until you get the hang of it, I check every bulb while it's out.

Definitely do the MM tests.  These cars will eat you up if you just randomly start replacing stuff.  A decent MM costs $40-60 (Harbor Freight has them for $4 on sale), I might use that more on the BMW than any other tool.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

tjts1

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2010, 06:42:53 AM »
Quote from: thebutcher37;89397
It has 241,347 miles Ive been using 91 octane since i got it Easter Sunday of 2008, within 3 months of purchase my tune up included, K&N drop in panel air filter, new spark plugs, fuel filter, Lubro Moly brand valve clean and jectron fuel system cleaner,and switching to Mobil 1 full synthetic oil and maintaining a 3k mile increment oil changes. so Ive been told it could possibly be the aftermarket headers that are on the car, would anyone else care to chime in on what i should do in order to pass? I would appreciate it Thanks.
Get the engine nice and hot before taking it in to be tested. Mine passed by 814 out of max 815 NO because the stupid tech was was too lazy to warm up the engine. I was also an idiot for not making sure it was hot. Go back and get it retested. And no, you don't have an aftermarket header. The stock header is that good. If it was aftermarket, the smog tech would fail your car on visual inspection.
good luck
Sold but not forgotten

This is whats wrong with your car.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2742
[/thread]

flyinglizard

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2010, 08:11:12 AM »
Sorry.  
 To survive with one of these cars, you will need to learn about the cams, plugs and much else, or you will pour mucho cash through this car.
  A small piece of cardboard, covering about 25-30 % of the rad, will help get the car up near the center of the temp guage.
 Taking out the short 8in connector, from the airfilter to the core support will help feed warm air to the engine.
 Two bottles of dry gas will  often reduce the Hc count.
 Run the crap out of the car enroute, to clean out the chambers, carbon etc.
 Be nice to the tech, ask him to keep the RPM over 1800, as it look s like it helps.
 Open up the plug gap to about 048. This increase the cross over voltage , resulting in a hotter spark, and more complete fire. Reduce it after test tho, as it also will promote voltage leaks/ tracking, at the coil(s) itself.  

The car is very close. test at hottest time of day= lowest altitude density, less power,less fuel, etc.
 For the cam time and the AF meter, you need someone that plays with this stuff, not just a little, but has a good clue..
 I use Rotella synthetic oil, but if you have weak rings or valve seals, any good 20/50  normal oil, should reduce this small blow by.
 HTH.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2010, 08:15:43 AM by flyinglizard »
Mike and Michael Ogren/Protech Racing Services, mogren@tampabay.rr.com
  data analysis, driver coaching, race car development. FWDracingguide.com  . Chumpcar rental
 20 years of renting race cars

thebutcher37

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Update:
« Reply #23 on: March 20, 2010, 10:51:14 PM »
Hey everyone... thanks for all the help... The car still hasn't passed smog, and I haven't done anything else to help that:mad:, Im guessing i will change the catalytic converter next, as well as trying out any/all the advise in this thread and go on from there...

Again I thank everyone whose been helping:D

and I will update when I have new info.

jou ma se poes in \'n fishpaste jar.
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BlueBMW

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #24 on: March 21, 2010, 06:51:36 AM »
I'm sorry its giving you so much trouble.  We don't have any smog controls at all here in Tennessee (which I strongly disagree with, our air quality sucks bad!  I got ridiculed for replacing the missing catalytic converter on my car when I first bought it)

Good luck getting it to pass!
1991 318is (Sold to brother :()
1995 530i (Daily driver til I find another 318is!)


jgraves

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #25 on: March 21, 2010, 01:31:53 PM »
I did practically the same thing when my car failed the first time.  Every BMW technician I talked to all told me the same thing, the cat might be bad.  I was lucky that she passed after I did a complete tune up.  Many people don't realize that cats get backed up with smut and need to be changed every 15-20 years from what they all told me.

DesktopDave

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #26 on: March 22, 2010, 08:10:27 AM »
I know my cat is bad, she rattles until it's warmed up.  I thought there was a good replacement thread around here somewhere...
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

RED IS 91

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #27 on: March 22, 2010, 10:30:18 AM »
Quote from: DesktopDave;89825
I know my cat is bad, she rattles until it's warmed up.  I thought there was a good replacement thread around here somewhere...

Take it to a muffler shop and have a universal cat welded in .
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

:D The Little Car That Could :D   214,000 miles :D

BlueBMW

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Failed emissions.. Please Help
« Reply #28 on: March 22, 2010, 05:51:17 PM »
Quote from: RED IS 91;89831
Take it to a muffler shop and have a universal cat welded in .


Thats what I did.  Not to pass emissions (have none in TN) but to get rid of the awful burnt metal smell every time I got out of the car.  Cat was about $60 and another $100 ish to re-do my whole exhaust with a new muffler (also $60) and resonator.
1991 318is (Sold to brother :()
1995 530i (Daily driver til I find another 318is!)


thebutcher37

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Another update
« Reply #29 on: March 23, 2010, 01:52:26 AM »
Thanks for the kind words my firends...

It looks like that is what Im goin to have to do, The good/bad thing about me is i would want to replace everything.. LOL new exhaust system???:p

We shall see:eek:

jou ma se poes in \'n fishpaste jar.
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