I went to get my car smogged and failed once again. The told me the timing failed, so I went to get it adjusted and tryed once more and failed. He said the timing went to 14 degrees at 25, 30 mph. So my question is, Do I need to replace the timing chain?? Thanx
Peace Out,
PsychoGTA

 

How did you time it? You do know about disconnecting the electronic timing control before you time the car right? Also what did you set the timing at?

 

Ya they did disconnect, had my mechanic time it for me. He set if for 6 degrees. Thanx

 

Im going to get a timing gear on my CAMARO

 

Well you do know that the timing will increase as it's computer controlled right? What exactly is pointing to a timing problem with you being unable to pass smog? What are the numbers?

 

Where did you take your car for a smog test? Was the guy doing the test claiming that your timing was advancing and that's why it failed? I have never seen a test where you can check the timing while the car is on the rollers at speed. Something just doesn't sound right.
If you had your timing set at 6 degrees you should have passed the test with no problem. It sounds like the guy who did the test didn't know how to check the timing. Keep us posted.

 

Agreed

 

Here's what it says on my paper.
Ignition Timing (14BTDC).........Defective
HC NO
Max GP MEAS Max GP MEAS
108 283 165 767 1957 2027
83 233 162 706 1757 1813
By the way I changed 02 sensor ignition coil and egr valve cuz before this i took it to get it diagnosis and they said to change that and I did. Did worse than the time before.

 

Suggestion
Why not take it to the smog guy Don uses.
At least he knows what he is doing.

 

Does Don have any extra time?? I feel like I'm getting ripped off by the smog people. Either that or my car is toying with me since I got a new car.
Peace Out,
PsychoGTA

 

Sounds like, if I am reading this right, the smog tech dont know what he's doing.

 

the car failed smog? It would be hard to imagine this being the cause of your car failing smog. Did the car exhibit rough starting and no start conditions? I would like to help. My friend owns a test only smog shop and thinks this is a little odd.

 

After the smog was all done. The car didn't want to start, but that's because of the starter. Gave the starter a tap and it turned on. But when I got the EGR valve(mid january this year) changed my mechanic adjusted the timing. And when I went back to get it adjusted cuz it failed for that reason. It was off again and I never moved it nor did he. So, I'm gonna give it a try and replace it and see what happens. And will take it to some other smog place. I guess my car doesn't want to go away, since I'm selling it. I'm going crazy cuz I'm puttin more money into the car that I'm not gonna get back.
Peace Out,
PsychoGTA

 

Well since things have been relatively vague so far...

Your base timing is set at 6, with the timing spout disconnected. Thats a tan/black stripe wire over by the AC box under the hood. If that is not disconnected, you are not checking or reading base timing. From what you said, he told you the timing was reading 14 advanced at 15 and 25mph right? So... the problem is where? Thats what distributors do, from the old mechanical advance setups even to today's ECM controlled ones, they advance timing. You have to. If he said its at 14BTDC at 15MPH and thats a problem, he's an idiot. Even at idle, the computer bumps up the timing beyond the base timing, varies depending on application but its not base.

Does that help any? I hope so. I seriously doubt you have some sort of problem unless the base timing is changing after you drive the car and in that case its likely just a loose distributor bracket.

 

Can you post not just the smog numbers that failed but the rest of it also? From the prior numbers that failed, a good friend of mine that owns a smog shop suggested that definently the timing is off and that needs to be addressed. Also, one guess from looking at the numbers was that it could be that you have a hollow cat. The rest of the smog numbers would paint the whole picture better and he would be able to give you an educated guess or direction to look at. BTW, why in the hell would a smog tech check your timing at 1500 and 2500 rpm? The state only requires the timing to be check at the specifications set by the sticker on the hood of your car which as it was mention before is only checked at idle with the pigtail disconnected as someone already mention. Is this a Test Only Smog shop or a test and repair?

 

I just wanna say thanx for your guys help. Here are the numbers in the smog sheet.
rpm co2 o2 hc(ppm)
MAX GP MEAS
15mph 1370 12.1 3.2 108 283 165
25mph 1348 12.1 3.3 83 233 162


co no(ppm)
Max GP Meas Max GP Meas
0.71 2.21 0.60 767 1957 2027
0.58 2.08 0.56 706 1757 1813

 

This is how he responded to my email based upon the numbers from the failed smog:


"if it failed for HC as it looks, change the cat.
IF the CO is over 1% change the O2 and cat
HC failures are very common on these cars, a cat
usually cleans it up."


Did you change the timing chain afterall?

 

Thanx for the help 383. I will change the cats and see what happens. Ya I'm getting the timing chain done right now. Doesn't hurt to get it done, except my pocket. But the new owner will have good car once it passes the smog test.
Peace Out,
PsychoGTA