Just bought an '87 Trans Am. Got it back home and it failed emissions. Here are the results:

actual allowable result
Hydrocarbons (grams/mile) 2.52 1.60 fail
Carbonmonoxide (grams/mile) 25.52 15.00 fail
Oxides of Nitrogen (grams/mile) 2.32 2.50 pass

Where would you start on a fix for this?? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Bill

 

make sure it has a good tune up, scan for codes, fix any vacuum leaks

 

You put the answer or at least part of it with the car info. Get the 160 stat OUT, and put in a 195. Time and time again I ramble on about colder stats but 160 is too cold for these engines. Assuming the rest of the emission control equipment is functioning I'll bet changing the stat to stock 195 will get you through.

 

well actually the point Danno is making is make sure the T/A is getting to a good operating temperature before testing.

 

Here in AZ, that's no problem. Like Ede stated, do a good tune up. Plugs, o2, check wires, cap rotor, etc. Also, if your still to high, you can get this stuff call Gauranteed to pass emissions junk. You can get it at Autozone/Checkers and I've had firends pass with flying colors while using that stuff. It might help.

Good Luck.

 

CraZ-28 probably nailed it - start with a reliable oxygen sensor.

NO2 is good, so the EGR is probably working.

And I'm with Danno for a daily driver. 160° is too cold without EPROM modifications, and a 180°F is a great compromise with the stock EPROM - even in Arizona.

Once you get back from the test lane, come back in for some more chewing. We're going to ream you a bit for not performing a complete maintenance schedule on your newly-acquired ride.

Well, maybe only a little...

 

Don't know about AZ, but per California and Colorado law, the seller is responsible for the vehicle passing emissions.

 

Guys, the 160 thermostat is for the RS not the T/A that failed the emissions test

Looks like the Cat is ok, change the o2 sensor and check the plugs, cap and rotor, pcv valve and egr. You are running rich and not burning it all.

 

86SC is right. The 160 degree thermostat is in the RS. I don't know what is in the T/A, I assume a 180 or 195*. I will check the plugs, cap and wires. I will also change the O2 sensor.

And I sheepishly admit that Vader is right. I should have had the car checked out better. I bought it in upstate NY and drove it back to Phoenix this past weekend. I must say that the car did great on the trip. No problems at all.

 

Don't say that you heard it here, but another thing you can do to temporarily reduce the HCs under some conditions is to cap the purge line at the EVAP canister. If the canister happened to be saturated for some reason (which you would naturally investigate later) you can reduce part throttle emissions on the treadmill by eliminating the purge.

 

Well ofcourse I would investigate it later.

 

Here is an update to the emissions....IT HAD NO CATS!!!! Didn't think to look for that before I bought the car. Having a new cat put on it now. Should have it back tomorrow.

 

well....that was an easy fix.... (Though probaby rather expensive?)

 

The smog people didn't check to see if it had cats before the test?!?

 

Well my mechanic ran it through the emissions facility this morning, after he put a cat on it, and it passed with flying colors. He inquired with them as to why it passed visual and was told they don't look for cats on anything newer than '80. This is news to me. I have lived in AZ 21 years and always thought they did a visual on all cars. Guess you all know what that means......GO BYE DIVERTER VALVE!!!!!!!

As far as price, should be about $300.00. Not too bad.

 

Well the new numbers are in. It is amazing what just putting on a catalytic converter will do.

Here is a recap of the old numbers:

--------------------------------------actual ----allowable ----result
Hydrocarbons (grams/mile) -----2.52 ------1.60 ---------fail
Carbonmonoxide (grams/mile)--25.52---- 15.00-------- fail
Oxides of Nitrogen (grams/mile) 2.32 -----2.50 ---------pass

And here are the new numbers:

--------------------------------------actual ----allowable ----result
Hydrocarbons (grams/mile) -----0.11 ------1.60 ---------pass
Carbonmonoxide (grams/mile)--1.38------ 15.00------- pass
Oxides of Nitrogen (grams/mile) 1.73 -----2.50 ---------pass


And now its off to registration.

Didn't think to look for the cat when I bought the car. Oh well. Live and learn. $300.00 dollars is a cheap lesson. Other lessons have cost me a lot more. And most of those have involved a woman.

 

Want your $300 back? It is AGAINST federal law to remove ANY emission device even if the locality is exempt from emission testing. To resell any vehicle without disclosure is also against the law. To knowingly resell a vehicle with federal emission equipment removed is prosecutable. Call the dude and tell him you'll blow the whistle- if he was a decent sort he should have told you! I got NO mercy for people who try to f*** fellow enthusiasts. I don't give a hoot how good a deal it was, every cars I have ever sold came with every part removed for whatever reason. Maybe I am just an old fart with antiquated ideals, but I am tired of seeing friends get the shaft.

 

Danno,

Your ideals are not antiquanted. They are called honest. Thanks for the info. I am check with the state of AZ now on just that subject.

Also I see you are from Warrington. I lived in Southampton 'til I was 14 years old. Davis Elementary and Klinger Jr. High. In fact when I was 11 yrs old I played football for the Upper Southampton Sports Club. We finished second place to Warrington that year. All because when we played Lower Southampton somebody on the offense moved and we had a touchdown called back. Guess who??????

 

I'll bet we know a lot of the same people. my wife is from SH. You might want to check with the selling state since the title is still on thier books until AZ completes the transfer(typ 4-6wks). All he had to do was tell you instead of wasting your time. I went through something similiar 2 yrs ago. My wife bought a new blazer, 2 mo. later a chunk of the fender falls off. It's mostly bondo, and so is the hood. Seems a tree fell across the hood and fender during a storm and they failed to mention that little detail when we bought it. When confronted they plead the 5th, I asked for an exchange and even offered to pay any difference for options that may be different. They politely told me to go to ***. The most they would do was to offer to replace the hood and fender and claimed that funny little pull in the steering was normal. It took me a year and a lawyer before they finally had to buy it back. Funny thing is that with your situation you probably would have bought it anyway. Make sure you keep any paperwork, receipts etc. Who knows how it will work out, maybe he'll offer to split the difference with you. LOL, Dan FYI, CB West lost to East this year for the first time in I don't know how long. My apologies to the moderator here.