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Fail smog test


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nng
New User

Sep 23, 2007, 10:08 PM

Post #1 of 3 (3813 views)
Fail smog test Sign In

Hi,
I just join this forum. Hopefully, this is question is appropriate for this forum.
I live in Northern California. I have a 1978 Toyota 2WD truck with 233K miles. The past few years, I have not been driving it much. In fact, I think I added less than a couple thousand miles last year and I think only 3-4K after it passed the smog test two years ago.
After letting the car sat on my driveway for a couple of week, I brought the truck in for a smog check yesterday. It failed the test with the following results

15mph 188 for HC(PPM) and 1.56 for CO(%)
25mph 195 for HC(PMM) and 2.33 for CO(%)

I was reading on the web and suggested that oil change and adding fuel addictive will help. In addition, I should have the car running longer before the test. My last oil change was about 2 to 3K miles and about one year ago. I have not driven my truck for a couple weeks before I brought it in for the test and I only drove it for about 5 miles to the testing station. So all this could contributed to failing the test. My question is could this be the only thing or it could be cause by other factors that would require major repair? The smog test technician said something about it could be the carburetor and it will be expensive.
Also I would like to understand my options. Can I bring my truck back for a retest without going to a smog repair center for repair? If the retest from the same test center fail, can I get a test from other test center after more repair?

Thanks very much. I know is a long mail and I'm new at this. Thanks for your advices in advance.

Nelson


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 24, 2007, 2:37 PM

Post #2 of 3 (3810 views)
Re: Fail smog test Sign In

Can't say what they do there but in MA you get a free second test within 30 days. That would only be good at the same place and imagine that for you too. With this low use I think I would clean up the carb as best I could with the spray, additive for fuel probably won't hurt and may help but if you can legally drive this for a while go give it a good hard run at highway speeds and things may clear up. Oil change, tune-up items mostly plugs and air filter should help to get it within spec. If it isn't running well it just will have high emissions and that has to fixed first,

T



Guest
Anonymous Poster

Sep 28, 2007, 3:07 PM

Post #3 of 3 (3801 views)
Re: Fail smog test Sign In

Ok 1978, thus meaning by C.A.R.B. Requirements
your truck would have a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation), EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), Catalytic Converter, some air pumps, and possilby a charcoal canister.

The main components that deal with HC (Hydrocarbons) here would be your PCV, Catalytic converter, and air injection system. CO on the other hand you looking at your Catalytic converter.

I Would definatly look into my cat-back and PCV. And yes, it is better to have your car running for a while before u take it to be tested. The reason for this is to let your Catalytic converter warm up so it's functioning at optimal performance.

I wonder if your Truck has them nasty solenoids in the carburetor. They did some strange things back in those days to try and reduce harmfull gasses i.e. HC, CO, NOx. And unfortunatly, those solenoids did squat.






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