SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Well... . I failed my first smog test (Test Only) about two weeks ago by having excessive HC >> about 170 MEASURED with 100 being MAX. After I left, I realized I had left my SmallCar (?) Computer Chip wire switch to ON (12 Volt power to help with running regular gas) .. . plus I was using regular gas. I thought this was the problem mainly (hopefully), so I ran Techron cleaner, Berryman's injector cleaner, and Guaranteed To Pass cleaner through my engine with PREMIUM GAS prior to re-running smog test.

I also worried that I had changed my fuel pressure regulator about six years ago, when I was "preparing" to try nitrous (to beat my wife in her 2002 35th Anniv. "haul-ass" Camaro.. . Ha!). I couldn't remember if I left the increased pressure (Impreza) regulator in place (I thought so.. . so I relaced it with what I think (??) is the svx regulator before re-running the smog test). I posted a thread here about anyone knowing how I could deduce which regulator was which, based on the numbers on each (they look identical), but noone responded.

I took the smog re-test a couple days ago.. . the results were worse! I ran the test with the computer chip wire switch off and with premium gas. The HC's were now 265 (instead of 170 first test) with the MAX allowable being 100. HELP!

The only suggestion my friend could give is to try replacing O2 sensors (?). I ordered them out of frustration (they are at least 40 to 60K miles old) for $240 from SubaruParts.com.

Please offer any suggestions to help. California smog can be a NiGhTmArE!

1) Are the O2 sensors likely to help?

2) I guess I should run the next test with regular/switch ON, right?

3) Any ideas how I could determine which regulator is the SVX? Would it even be a problem if I used the Impreza (higher pressure) regulator?

4) HELP! :confused:

Thanks! :D

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Since its cheap, replace your fuel filter to make sure you have the best fuel pressure possible, and run your car on the freeway for at least 30 minutes to an hour to really get the cats and 02 sensors hot and clean out your combustion chamber. Your readings are resulting from an incomplete fuel burn it looks like, and the best time to smog an older car is right after a good high speed freeway run to heat it up well and burn out combustion deposits.

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Theoretically, the higher fuel pressure regulator should cause a richer mix, but the oxygen sensors should see it and then the computer should lean it out, but who knows if that actually works.

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Hello Jim,

Your Smallcar chip is actually an ECUtune chip. I made it. Smallcar is one of my resellers. You should not use the impreza fuel regulator with it. The tuning of the ECUtune Stage1v# is for the originial equipment fuel pressure regulator. The part number on the OE regulator is 22670AA050.

Possible/probable problems are:
1)bad catalytic converters
2)bad temp sensor (not the one that sends to the gage..the one that sends to the ecu)
3)missfire
4)leaking fuel injector/fuel injector o-ring

You probably aught to feel a missfire if that is the case.
The temp sensor is the easiest thing to check and cheapest to replace so I would start there just because wouldn't it be nice if that is it?

The temp sensor for the ECU is the one with the plastic plug and two prongs. It is on the water pipe on the top of the engine (next to the other temp sensor which runs the gage) on the driver's side. With the engine warmed up the resistance between the two terminals should drop down to below .3 or .4 Kohms. If it does not then you have a bad temp sensor.

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

As far as I know, lowered fuel pressure causes injectors to squirt instead of spray, keeping the A/F mixture from combusting completely and exhausting lots of HC.

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Michael: Thanks for the info...I couldn't remember ECUtune..ya!..That's it! Well, then:
1) I hate cats! I've replaced too many..and they're expensive. The main one has clogged twice I think..after banging on the ground [drop springs]. How would I know it's a cat problem? :eek:
2) Can I get at the temp sensor easily..without having to remove the intake manifold? Can I get at it to remove if necessary also without removing intake M? So... I test ohms on a warm non-running engine with the connectors off?
3) Missfire??? You mean plugs? Could they need replacement after only about 15K miles? What else could I check that causes misfire? [Maybe it's burning oil??]
4) How would I know the injector(s) was (were) leaking?

Can I FIX something and then check just the idle HC emissions somewhere (smog station or regular mechanic?) before spending another 40 or 50 bucks to perform smog test (and risk referree)? :confused:

Thanks for your help! Jim :D

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

well failing emissions is one good sign of bad cats...lol

you don't remove the temp sensor and don't have to remove anything to get at it.

there are many possible reasons for a missfire..start with the temp sensor and assume you don't have a missfire for now though if you put the wrong plugs in it certainly wouldn't help. You should be running the OE spec'ed ngk double platinums. If you aren't that could be part of your problem.

a fuel pressure gauge hooked up between the fuel filter and engine should hold pressure a long time after the engine is turned off. If pressure drops down quickly after turning the ignition off then you have a fuel leak.

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Michael: Thanks again! :D I forgot to mention that the fuel pressure gauge part has become meaningless, since neither the OEM part number you mentioned, nor the Impreza higher pressure gauge part (22670AA240) on the box that I still have, mean anything because the parts are physically identical, and the numbers on each of them (different of course) don't seem to be readable (totally different numbers*) by anyone (I shared them in my original post).

I will put the O2 sensors I bot (and received yesterday) from SP.com on just to hope they help (?). Can you comment on how they might help? I can say I bot the last O2 sensors in 11/02 for sure...So, I'm guessing I placed one (I believe I put them on at different times?) by 2004 (just a guess unfortunately, but that seems right...along time ago [about 4 or five years since I put that first one on ...maybe 6 or 7(?)].

I also found a pair of smog checks in 2007, with the same initial problem...high HC at idle! Two weeks later it passed. The only problem is...I can't remember the fix! I know..I'm a little (or more) SeNiLe! I have no parts purchases (I save all receipts for service/parts) showing at that time, nor any cats welded on either?? I'm thinking .. maybe I put the other O2 sensor on at that time, in 2007, to pass the second test ?? Would that make sense? At any rate, the O2 sensors must be OLD...at least one is 60K to 105K old!

Please let me know about the O2 sensors influence...and whether I can figure out which fuel pressure gauge is which (*I have the A44-S26 R10 39020 in the box now, thinking it is the Impreza high pressure regulator...and the A44-000 R55 51230 is on my SVX, thinking it is the OEM part)...Like maybe thru Subaru factory? [The part #s that you have and SP.com use are not linked to the numbers on these parts!]

So, you want me to check the resistance between the two wires on the ECU temp sensor, while the wires are still connected (and the engine is warm).. . OK! And, should I replace the fuel filter?.. . It's been 2 or 3 years probably.
:confused:

I'll let you know.. . Thanks! Jim :D

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Does anyone know what actually is inside these SVX fuel filters?

Thanks,
Keith:cool:

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Michael: I installed the O2 sensors and checked the resistance of the temp sensor. I read the resistance between the two terminals after unplugging the connector on the sensor closest to the driver [there was another larger dual connector above, then a lower single wire connector on another sensor (gauge temp?), then below was a brown plastic topped sensor (closest to the driver) with two wires (blue/blue-yellow I believe) that I checked. After the engine warmed up, the resistance was .246, which was in the range you mentioned. So, I guess that sensor can be ruled out.

I'll await your response to my other questions, when you can.. Thanks! Jim :D

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

:confused:

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

That reading isn't in the range I said. It should be something like .2 or .3 or .4 Kohms. The sensor has a brass base with hex flats for using a wrench or socket to install it to the water pipe and a plastic plug. The plug plugging into it should be brown with GY LB wires. If it is reading 2.46 kohms on a warm engine then it is bad and likely the reason you are failing emissions.

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

I agree, but didn't he say he put a higher pressure regulator in?

Here in oklahoma we don't have smog tests. We don't even have safety inspections anymore. We don't care about the planet or safety these parts. :lol:

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

OK! I'm moving to Oklahoma! [Which way is that?]

Sorry...the reading was .246 (on the 2K scale).

I hate these #*%*#@ smog tests AND AL GORE!

I have no idea how I fixed this 2 years ago, nor does my mechanic.. . I'm an idiot! [Maybe it was the gas pills that ruined my relatively "new" cats?? I replaced all three 9/05, but it seems like I had to replace a broken large cat (drop springs - hits) which killed performance about 2 years ago (But, I don't have any receipt for that either?) Does anyone remember the gas pills I started to sell? Ha!]

Help! :confused:

Thanks, Jim :D

Re: SMOG.. . Heeeeeeelp!
 

Michael: BTW, I checked the code system.. . There were no codes.

Jim :cool: