Emissions

[Great_Galvini]

I am starting to run out of ideas and was hoping one of you guys could help me out. I have an 85 notchback SE with the v-6. It had been sitting for the past 6 years in a garage and I just recently have gotten it back up and running. It is running strong but I just can't seem to get it over the hump on passing an emissions test. I keep failing the Nox section of the test. I have already replaced my Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve but that doesn't appear to have been the solution. Any ideas as to where to focus to bring down this particular area on the test would be greatly appreciated.

[RobsFieros]

Get a new oxygen sensor. And how old is your cat. converter?

[TopNotch]

Maybe your EGR valve is OK, but your EGR solenoid isn't. Have you done any running tests to confirm it's working? If you have a Haynes or Helms manual, there should be some tests to do.

[Great_Galvini]

    Great advice on the oxygen sensor. I shorted the indicator and it gave me a 13 so the oxygen sensor is bad. I've also been running into a few other little things so hopefully i'm there without having to mess with the cat. converter. I appreciate the help gentlemen.

[Fierofool]

If your problem were with the EGR valve or solenoid, it probably wouldn't set a code if you can't drive the car at over 50 MPH for 10 minutes or so.  On the other hand, the EGR system is pretty sensitive and will set a code under the above conditions, if there's even a slight vacuum leak or malfunction in the system.

Where are you located?  If you're near, come out to the meeting Saturday.

[Raydar]

Before you plunk down the funds for a solenoid, you need to check all of your vacuum lines for leaks. Pay special attention to the rubber fittings on the ends of the lines. The EGR is fed from the smaller of the two tubes that sticks out from the bottom of the TB. That's where mine leaked. The tube goes from there, under the plenum, to the EGR solenoid. It comes out of the other fitting on the same end of the EGR solenoid, to the EGR valve.

I have often thought that a vacuum line could be run from the TB directly to the EGR valve (bypassing the solenoid) in order to pass emissions "in a pinch". That's essentially how it was done on the older non-computer controlled cars, with carbs. (No, it
won't cause the EGR to be "on" all the time. It's still a "ported" vacuum signal. Would still only be effective at part throttle.)
No. I'm not suggesting that you should do this. I'm just sayin'...

[Fierofool]

To add to Raydar's suggestion of not plunking down the bucks, if you're in the Atlanta area or anywhere in the northern half of the state, many of us have parts that we can loan you to identify a failed part.  Right now, I have 2 MAP sensors, an EGR solenoid, and a TPS loaned out to someone who's having some runability issues.  If one of them solves the problem, then he knows what to buy, rather than replacing everything. 

Let us know if we can help you with any parts.

[ratfink]

I'm in Opelika, Could someone let Me borrow a running Fiero so I can see how much I'm going to like Mine??

[TopNotch]

Come to the meeting, and maybe one of us will let you drive one.

[RobsFieros]

Come to the meeting, and maybe one of us will let you drive one.

  ;Djavascript:emoticon(':lmao:')