I'm about to dynamite my car.

Ok, 3 weeks ago I went to get an emissions test and I failed. I passed HC and CO with flying colors, but I barely passed NOx at 25 mph and failed big time at 15 mph. I decided that I would change the EGR valve and convertor to see if that took care of the problem. While I was thinking about the parts I decided to order headers, cat and cat back to take care of any convertor problems I might have and to have some fun at the same time. While I was in there I decided that I would finally replace those leaking valve stem seals. While replacing the seals I found that one of the cylinders was leaking so I pulled the heads and had them totally reworked. Now I have fresh heads, headers, Catco cat, cat-back, a new EGR valve, new O2 sensor and a Hypertech fan switch that comes on at 180.

After I was done with all of the work the car ran like crap until I set the timing at about 10 degrees advance. It idles like a kitten now, but it does not have nearly the power that I think it should. It will not even break traction on a dry road. I was getting a code 18 until I found that the O2 sensor wiring had burned on the headers. I have fixed that. Now when I run the car at highway speed for 5 minutes I get a code 32. It goes off when I turn the car off and does not come back on until I get to highway speed again.

I just went to the emissions testing station (remember how all of this started?) and had a test run to see where my measurements are. They are as follows (high rpm/low rpm):
Reading Allowed
HC 147/123 123/128
CO .42/.31 .69/.71
NOx 1150/1228 878/970

So, my emissions reading is worse than before - even with all of the new parts - my power is lacking and it is running so rich that my gas mileage is in the toilet (the emissions attendant told me before the test that he could smell the running rich condition).

What is wrong with my car?!?!

 

Have you checked to make sure you're getting vacuum to the valve? Could be that the valve was good but there's a problem with the devices that control it.

 

I haven't checked that yet, but I will. Could a lack of vacuum or a bad EGR solenoid cause an extreme running rich condition?

 

Not exactly sure, but assuming you have done a good tune up already and haven't removed any of your other emission control devices from the car, I would try and get a hold of a manual for 82-92 Camaro or Firebird that shows flowcharts for trouble codes and look for the chart for code 32. It will tell you step by step how to diagnose the system.

 

This might help:

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...diagnose.shtml

 

Great, I'll go through and try that stuff. Thank you.

Now, will this EGR thing cause my extreme running rich conditon? I've been running rich since before I got any codes. With this also settle my lack of power, especially off idle?