---------------------------------------------
Question: I
have a question about my Toyota Camry 1990
recently my mechanic did a mistake and broke the oil
pressure. This lock like sensor is located in front of
the top of the engine this person just sealed the little
hole but I must to do Smog Test now what should happen
with this issue.
Answer: The Oil Pressure sensor
is not "directly" an emissions component and will not effect
the smog test, unless it's grossly leaking oil or causing the
Check Engine light to illuminate.
----------------------------------------------
Question
(a): I purchased a 1996
Toyota P/U with a six cylinder 132K over the weekend the owner
said he had forgot to smog it. I took it to the smog place
yesterday and it failed (NOx) and they told me it most likely
needes a cat converter.I then took it to two different shops
that said the same thing so I have one put in and it failed
again. Can you tell me what is nox and why it would fail. This
truck has no egr VALVE FROM THE FACTORY. IT SAYS n/a ON THAT
PART OF THE PAPER FROM THE SMOG REPORT. At this point I just
want to get it fixed. The truck runs great and there is no
check engine light on.
Question
(b): Hi, I had my 99
Chevy Cavalier smogged and it failed. I have never had a car
fail before. The mechanics don't tell me why it failed they
just say it failed. the first time it passed at the 25 mph and
failed on the 15 mph. Then they did a fuel injection flush and
it failed on both accounts on the second time. What could the
problem be? do I need to get a new cat converter? I am female
so don't know a lot about this situation, plus i have never
had a car fail the smog test.
Answer: Vehicles fail their smog
inspection for different reasons based on the variety of
emissions control systems used on production vehicles. We
recommend using our SmogSmart VIR Report system. We'll be able
to give you a much better idea of what your vehicle's emission
problem might be. The SmogSmart VIR Report system will ask you
to fill in all the information our report system &
technicians need to effectively evaluate your vehicle's
emissions failure. You may also use the "Additional
Information" section of the blank form to include detailed
comments. To obtain your vehicle's SmogSmart Report, please
visit the On-Line Evaluations Page at
www.smogtips.com/smog_evaluations.cfm.
-----------------------------------------------
Question: I HAVE A 1988 CAMARO
RS 2.8 AUTO. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ALWAYS ON. IT
GIVES A CODE OF 33 & 34. I HAVE REPLACED
EVERYTHING THE HAYNES MANUAL SAID TO FOR THESE CODES, &
RESET THE CCC, BUT THE LIGHT WON'T EXTINGUISH! HELP! THE
SMOG TEST FAILED & SAS POLLUTER WHAT DO I DO
NEXT?
Answer: Code 33 & Code 34
relate to the MAF Mass Air Flow Sensor. Have this component
diagnosed and if defective repaired.
-----------------------------------------------
Question: I HAVE AN 88 HONDA
ACCORD "FUEL INJECTION" I Cant seem to pass the smog "test
only" sensors operational but the gas level is at 8.0 when
they should be at about 2.0 . mechani said its perfectly fine
all sensors operational but the gas readings are still very
high. Will making a hole between the catalizer & muffler
help?
Answer: No, holes will not help,
in fact they may be considered TAMPERS and definitely cause a
smog failure even if emissions are lowered (which making hole
will NOT do). Your best bet is the find a mechanic, a smog
check repair mechanic, which can diagnose this problem and pin
point the exact fault, whether sensor related or
not.
-----------------------------------------------
Question: i just passed every
component of my smog test except that the OBDII component
"could not be completed". i have a 96 Saab 900s. the mechanic
couldn't really explain the problem, but advised me to drive
my car for the next 2-3 days - particularly freeway driving -
and then have it retested.
Answer: If you own a 1996 or
newer vehicle (which a apparently you do) you own a vehicle
which is equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics system called
OBD II, as opposed to an OBD I system which older vehicles
were equipped with. The OBD II Diagnostic system is designed
to monitor all aspects of your engine's emission conditions
and report this information to a central database within it's
computer. This information is processed and checked against
the computers pre-determined values for various inputs levels
and performance patterns. If any problems are found, the
computer will determine whether to alert the driver or
not.
If a
decision has been made to alert the driver of an emissions
problem, the "Check Engine" or "Engine Malfunction" light will
illuminate on the vehicle's dashboard. In more serious
emission conditions the computer may even begin to rapidly
flash the "Check Engine/Malfunction" light indicating to the
driver, that the vehicle needs immediate diagnosis/repair
attention.
Now
here's what the smog test has to do with the OBD II
system...Your vehicle is equipped with an OBD II computer AND
a link to connect the OBD II computer to a Smog Check Analyzer
or Data Scan Tool (available at most auto part stores). The
OBD II link relays all "Check Engine" conditions along with
stored Trouble Codes with in the center database, to the smog
machine during the time of the smog inspection. If any codes
are present which cause the Check Engine light to illuminate
either regularly or intermittently, the vehicle fails the smog
inspection. Here's the tricky part, not all computer codes
illuminate the Check Engine light. In fact I can say there are
two types of codes, bad codes and good codes.
The good
codes are the "Readiness Flags". These Readiness Flags
indicate that certain emissions systems which the OBD II
computer has been monitoring have PASSED the test, indicating
that those systems are working properly. Then there are the
bad codes. The bad codes are actual "Trouble Code". These
codes indicate that the OBD II computer has detected a problem
with in the emissions system. The Trouble Code will
specifically indicate the component and problem which was
found. Newer vehicle's have very complex codes in the
thousands.
A
vehicle will fail the smog inspection if the proper "Readiness
Flags" are not set. A vehicle will also fail the smog
inspection if any "Trouble Codes" are present. So it is
possible for a vehicle to fail the smog inspection without the
"Check Engine" light on. "Readiness Flags" do not cause the
"Check Engine" light to illuminate, but may cause a vehicle to
fail the smog test.
Now
here's the fix... in order to set all the proper "Readiness
Flags" the OBDII system must complete at least one drive cycle
(in some cases two or three). A drive cycle is a
sequence of internal tests which the OBDII computer runs while
your vehicle is being driven. This insures all emissions
systems are functioning properly. Only then will your vehicle
pass the smog inspection. A drive cycle usually requires one
week of driving.
----------------------------------------
Question: My 2000 Lexus
LS400 just failed the SMOG check (This has never happened
before so I guess I was complacent and ignorant about
preparation). For example, I didn't know that it was important
to run the car for 20-30 minutes before arriving at the SMOG
test station. I drove it 3-5 minutes max after it had been
sitting around all day (end of the work day). Now they say I
have to pay $120 for an inspection and then there is the cost
of repairs (needless to say I don't trust auto mechanics, they
are probably soo psyched I failed)! Is it possible to do it
right (change my oil, take my car in only after it is warm
etc) and then get it retested (ie. redo the smog test just
days later)? It barely failed: NOx (PPM) MAX 835 AVE 237 MEAS
847.
Answer: 847 NOx is pretty high,
and consider this... NOx is created when the engine's
combustion chambers passes 2500f, so warming up your car for
20-30 min will not help in this case. Vehicles fail their smog
inspection for different reasons based on the variety of
emissions control systems used on production vehicles. You
will more then likely end up having the pay a smog repair
station for a diagnosis, hopefully it will be a simple problem
to fix.