OK as the title shows, this is a problem. I just picked up my lb9 5 speed 88 formula saturday. I have to get it emissions certified before friday when the I go to the field.

Heres the back ground. Exhaust smells like it is rich. I get a ticking sound either from the head, or hte fuel injector, prob the injector. It will not hold an idle when it first starts, and htere is a cloud of bluish smoke when it first starts for the day.

Ok the emissions test today.Numbers
HC(PPM) allowed: 100, tested at 143
CO (%) allowed .32 tested .75
NOx(PPM) allowed 700 tested 985 !!!!!!
gascap failed, and when i fill it, it has a vacuum, sucks air in when i open the cap.
rpm tested at was 1830.

car has 124k on it, and hte previous owner was an idiot (as am i for buying it)

here is what i have so far to remedy it.
fuel filter
pcv valve
breather filter
oil change tomorrow
spark plugs
plug wires
distributor cap
distributor rotor
o2 sensor



the only other htings i can think of are the cat and the injextors.
I am thinking of resetting my idle air control to see if that helps the idle issue.


I am new to v8's and i really need help, this site has shown to be a wealth of good knowledge, I hope someone can help me.
Thanks
Mike

if it doesent pass i may have to take a loss and buy a diffrent f body. but I dont want to give up on this one yet...

I am going to start the basic tune up, I will check my post every couple of minutes, I appreciate any assistance provided.
Mike

EDIT of course i didnt think about hte fact that tpi dosent have a breather, but off to autozone I go.
Please anyone, I really do need some help here...

If its the same problem as me... Im thinking I have a leaking injector... and you might find one too

--I also hear the small ticking noise in the middle of the TPI but thats normal I believe

I have been tracing wires and notices a vacuum line off my purge canister is missing. It is the one connected to the top of the canister that isnt right next to the electrical connector.
I will be checking my air system tomorrow, and checking injectors and fuel pressure.
Am I on the right path?

Well I am goign to go outside and change my plugs and wires now, should be a BLAST...
Also looking to do my o2 and check out my egr.
I am pretty sure the air fuel mix is all jacked up, but I dont have any tools to confirm it, just my nose, so injectors are getting tested as well.
Any help is appreciated
Mike

How old is the catalytic converter? Also make sure your timing is correct. Are you letting it get warmed up before you take it and get it tested? I would also check your EGR valve and make sure it working. Don't forget a new air filter also.

Definitely do a complete tune up (including O2) and set your base ignition timing to proper factory spec before you start throwing parts and such at it. You'd be surprised how bad your emissions can be with just one plug missing intermittently.

And keep an eye on your plugs as you take them out- they can give you clues as to what's going on. If they are all sooty black, you're running rich. If only one is nasty looking then that points to the problem being in that particular cylinder- injector, bad plug, bad wire, etc. and you can concentrate your repair efforts there.

Don't worry about the blue puff of smoke at startup. That's valve guide seals leaking a little oil (very common problem) and won't affect emissions at all. If it KEEPS smoking blue as you're running it then you've got worn out rings and it's rebuild time, or possibly you've jsut got one dead cylinder and the cylinder wall is glazed (affecting ring seal), which will often correct itself pretty quick once you get it running correctly again.

Thanks guys,
I have been looking up posts on here back to 2002 looking for some answers, I will have to have the mechanic who is unofficially checking my emissions tomorrow check the timing, lack of tools is a blast. Once I see what the test shows tomorrow I will see about the cat, unfortunately I am a little low on funds for a few days. Hopefully I can pull this off.
I want the dang car to run right, so if it needs to be done, I will do whatever I can.
I was looking up setting my IAC and all of that, but I am not sure if I can do it where I am. Will also be checkign to see if there are any codes.
Have to go PT 4 miles of fun, will work on the car when I get back

Thanks again
Mike

I failed 4 times in MA last year, tried all the little stuff, nothing worked (O2, PCV, plugs, cap, rotor, wires, cleaned EGR valve, fresh oil, even a little alcohol in the fuel). I finally replace the cat and it barely passed, but didn't fix the problem. I got to fix that rich condition, it ruins cats. Hydro Carbons from unburnt fuel plug them up and they don't work right. I have a feeling my timing is off, I have a serious ping, even with 91 octane. I just bought a Craftsman timing light, but haven't used it yet. Hopefully that will help.

Well i pulled the first 2 plugs on the drivers side.
WHitish residue and the porcalin was burned a bit. Haynes says it is runnng lean. COncurrently the code 34 is on in my car. In addition to this the vacuum lines for emissions look bad.
Suggestions on where to start?
I am still getting about 15mpg around town, so I dont understand what this cars prob is.

I didnt get to finish puttin on the plugs because hte set I got only had 7 wires (wtf is that all about)
I think this project is above what I can do with the tools I have, I got hosed for 2800 bucks for htis car, so I want to get it passed and registered
DAMN

You really want to start with a good complete tuneup. You would surprised just how much that will help. And make sure the timing is correct. You can also buy this stuff called "guarrentee to pass emission", I bought some at pep boys once. It worked pretty well to lower my emissions. And try to get the cat checked to make sure its doing its job. I failed emissions 7 times in a row once on my 92 RS.

Transport,
I agree whole heartedly, I feel bad for this car, the last owner really did it damage. basic things like spark gap at 45 or 50 instead of 35, andgeneral wear and rear.
I have everything to do a tune up, but I am goign to the field friday, and I wanted to get her done before then.
If the mechanic cant fix it here, I am bringing it home to ct and checking it with my dads shop. If i need to I can drive it to the emissions at night.....
What do you think is going on wiht the code 34 and the lean fiel plugs?
Am I missing something simple?

I don't know what a code 34 is on your car, but I'd start by finding out and fixing it (whatever it is).

Don't be surprised if your plugs are all white on the porcelain, even when it IS running correctly. Computer controlled/FI engines run at stoich (14.7:1) when they're running right mechanically and the O2 is reading right. 14.7 is pretty lean, in the grand scheme of things, and very little plug coloration will happen at that A/F ratio. Don't ASSUME it's definitely lean just by plug coloration alone- that's only ONE clue as to what's going on. At least you know you're not running RICH on those cylinders but don't assume it's runnign too lean. Gotta look at the WHOLE picture which is more than just 2 plugs are giving you.