CA smog woes

[Holmzy]

I recently failed the CA visual for smog on my 86 svo.

Main reason was that I did not have the "rated" hoses for my carbon canister to air filter housing, I was using just your regular radiator hose. I was also failed for the hose running from the valve cover breather to turbo.

Does anyone know where I can get these hoses or a good replacement?

[MikeFleming]

The CC hose needs to be an Evap hose. usually they're aluminized on the inside, with fuel vapor rated rubberish coating on the outside. 1", iirc. Most auto parts stores will carry evap vent hose.

The PCV hoses need to be fuel & oil vapor rated also. Usually will have PCV hose written on them. iirc you only need a few inches for the rear cam cover fitting to the PCV tube that goes to the turbo inlet elbow. 3/8 inch ID. NOT PS fluid line. Again, most [real] parts stores will have this. Try a real store like NAPA versus Pep Boys, OReillys, etc.

I may have some pieces of 3/8" PCV hose in the shop. Just need time to dig for it.

[Holmzy]

Thanks mike, I'll be hitting up the shops today after work

[Bob Holmes]

O-4 on finding the 1" evap hose. Its driving us nuts.

[Bob Holmes]

On a brighter note, we finally figured out why we were getting the 34 code. I'd put one of the old racecar ported upper and lower intakes on the car, forgetting that I'd had the EGR hole welded shut. DOH!!

[Raven855]

Good to hear about the 34 code. One down 1 to go. For the 1" hose try a vw shop. On the aircooled stuff they used that hose on the crankcase evap to air intake on several models of bugs and buses

[firsthero]

ya'll needs to move to MONTANA. we doesnt have smog controll on nutt'in. if'nn we put that crap on every grain truck 1/2 of this country would starve!
BOB

[Bob Holmes]

Good to hear about the 34 code. One down 1 to go. For the 1" hose try a vw shop. On the aircooled stuff they used that hose on the crankcase evap to air intake on several models of bugs and buses

Great idea, there is one close to work. I'll drop by.

[Bob Holmes]

ya'll needs to move to MONTANA. we doesnt have smog controll on nutt'in. if'nn we put that crap on every grain truck 1/2 of this country would starve!
BOB

But...but...Bob, you have SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MikeFleming]

ya'll needs to move to MONTANA. we doesnt have smog controll on nutt'in. I beg to differ. The only thing is your atate does not check to see if it's working or has been modified or removed.

Even though they don't check, it's still illegal to remove/modify that stuff. That little thing called Federal Law.

[Bob Holmes]

Still getting our butts kicked, but we're down to an intermittent miss. Miss goes away when we pull the spout, reappears when plugged in. Tony has suggested PIP. I think the only other item would be the TFI. Those are the two things that condition the ignition when the SPOUT is in, correct? Or, could it be the ECU?

Fixed the EGR. I had modified the upper intake for the racecar, the EGR port had been welded closed...oops.

[MikeFleming]

What does the timing do with SPOUT connected?

With it connected timing is managed by the EEC; with it out timing is managed by the PIP/TFI.

If timing mark is steady at 10 BTDC and does not bounce around, then it should go to 30 BTDC with SPOUT connected (+20 over base), closed throttle and hold steady in Premium mode; 25 total (+15) in Regular (Unleaded?) mode. If it bounces around could be now (while it was steady with SPOUT out):

EEC
Wiring
EEC Grounds
...
or Mitch has mucked with it.

[Raven855]

Bob the pip feeds it's signal to the TFI, the TFI to the ECU. Check your ground at the ECU. Check for codes, are you getting code 14? Since you have been playing with the EGR is it working? Does it leak? Check for stable vacuume. Using the old propane torch or brake cleaner check for vac leaks. Check the coil ground. There have been instances where the PIP goes bad and it takes the TFI out. There have been cases where a bad TFI takes a coil out. I usually replace the Pip and TFI at the same time when they go out. The TFI usually starts failing when it gets hot. Check your pip voltage, check your TFI voltage. With the spout out, the ignition on check voltage on the EEC side of the spout it should be 12Volts. While running, spout out check voltage, EEC side of spout you will see in the neighborhood of 6-10 volts. Check your voltages with the negative on the battery and using a ground reference. Now some questions for you. Have you checked injectors and fuel pressure? Does it happen both cold and warmed up?

[Bob Holmes]

or Mitch has mucked with it.

Hmmmm, forgot that one.

[Bob Holmes]

Gentlemen, thanks for your input.

Injectors were cleaned before installation. We checked the fuel pressure when we had an adjustable FPR, I have not checked after its replacement.

During the last go around, we found out that he had stripped the bolts attaching the IAC to the TB, thereby causing much of the rough idle. That's been fixed. The EGR is now working, after drilling out the weld.

We will methodically go through all the grounds. He assures me that they are attached, but...

We have to set the TPS. It has a new one, it doesn't throw a code, but we still need to go through that process.

All to try and find a miss.

[Bob Holmes]

Oh, and new plugs, new wires.

[MikeFleming]

Fresh petrol (with ethanol in it)??

[MikeFleming]

Yo! Bob!

You want this? Pay for shipping and it's yours.
7172

6" rule shown for size reference. it could use a wee bit of cleaning and straightening, no holes or tears. Sorry, don't have one in red.

[Bob Holmes]

Yes

[MikeFleming]

PM shipping info. I'll get it out USPS Priority (small box) on Tuesday, if I survive the weekend.

[Bob Holmes]

LOL, will do.

[Bob Holmes]

After proper adjustment of the TPS, resealing the IAC, new plugs, new plug wires, a full battery of tests...it no longer misses.

It just surges from about 800 to 950 at idle...:mad:

[Chalky]

Vacuum leak???

[Bob Holmes]

I'm going to explore that this weekend. A little starting fluid sprayed artfully should tell.

[Bob Holmes]

Kicked our butts at the smog shop, again, today.

Purring like a kitten until put under a load at 1,500 rpm. Then the miss appeared. Damn.

[MikeFleming]

What are the CO/HC/NOx numbers??

[Bob Holmes]

I'll find out when I get home.

[Bob Holmes]

Mike: It started missing and the smog machine kicked it out. No results. Seems to always be cylinder one.

[MikeFleming]

^
From that brief description sounds like ignition or valves. Worse at higher RPMs? Maybe a broken valve spring?

Got a neighbor with a CO/HC meter?

[TurboRay]

Obviously, you'll wanna get rid of the miss, Bob.......BUT - with regard to the other "matter" - have you considered exempting it from CA's required biennial smog inspections by registering it in nearby Amador county? An acquaintance (friend of my son and occasional customer) has several "specialty cars" registered in his own name, but at a rented mailbox address there and he no longer has to deal with the C.A.R.B. - aka, "smog Nazis". http://forum.turboford.org/ubb/graemlins/dunno.gif

C'ya - RAY

[Bob Holmes]

Ray, I'd like to know which PO he is using. A friend tried one in Sutter Creek and got bounced.

I would gladly register it in Amador County.

[TurboRay]

Hey, Bob - I called and left a message on his voice mail. When I find out, I'll call or post. I seem to remember my son saying that it was a mail service whose customers use their actual street address, rather than separate PO Box numbers.

Ever get a chance to try that J&S knock-sensor? http://forum.turboford.org/ubb/graemlins/dunno.gif

C'ya - RAY

[TurboRay]

Hey, Bob - My friend called back with some interesting DMV/registration info that might interest anyone in California:


There are apparently 18 California counties that do NOT require biennial smog inspection:

Alpine
Amador
Calaveras
Del Norte
Humboldt
Imperial
Inyo
Lake
Lassen
Mariposa
Mendocino
Modoc
Mono
Plumas
Sierra
Siskiyou
Trinity
Tuolumne


The "non-franchised" (small/ma&pa) mail service that he uses is in Jackson, which is right up the road from you - BUT, I don't think that's important. What IS important is that his personal mailing address there doesn't use the phrase "box number" or "POB" or anything like that. Instead, it's 1234 Anywhere Dr, "Apt 111" or "Unit 111", etc. (where "111" is his box number). I'm not gonna mention the actual name of his mail service publicly, for fear of ruining it for him and other "locals" (but, if you want, I can call and disclose it to you over the phone - LMK).
For those wanting to transfer or register a car in CA without having it smogged or paying the "Use Tax", you can fill out a form claiming that you're receiving it from a close relative (aka, "relative transfer") and - according to him - it's illegal for them to check if it actually IS a close relative, due to privacy laws (hint = a mom who has remarried or a married sister qualifies - and would no longer have your last name).
Finally, there's apparently a non-publicized policy (that he claims all DMV personnel know about), where you can cancel/wipe out any back fees on a car that's 25 years old or older. How, you may ask? By simply filling out a "statement of facts", stating that you are a "car restorer" and plan to restore it......DONE - FEES GONE!

BTW - I'm pretty sure that the above strategies are illegal (even tho the chances of getting busted are slim and none). Therefore, I'm not suggesting that y'all actually DO 'EM.....but they sure are interesting, eh? IOW, they are solely for the entertainment of this forum's membership - and anyone else who should happen to read 'em - and do not represent or reflect the opinions of SVOCOP or myself (<----legal disclaimer). http://forum.turboford.org/ubb/graemlins/thumbup.gif

C'ya - RAY

[Holmzy]

Turboray,

I am Bob's son and will be registering the red svo in my name. Will you pm me what has to be done so that I can register through jackson? Technically, it will be a relative transfer.

Thanks!

[TurboRay]

Can I PM with only 4 posts (now 5) under my belt? WOW.......what a site (ya' gotta have at least 25 posts on TF before you get that "privilege", lol). I'll give it a shot! http://forum.turboford.org/ubb/graemlins/thumbup.gif

C'ya - RAY

[Bob Holmes]

This thing is still kicking our butts.

It has an intermittent backfiring, missing episode that seems to coincide with warming up. But then it sometimes goes away and we have to problems. I don't want to lead astry anyone with advice, but it seems to retard the timing and will barely run.

I had never experienced the problem, but today Jason and I took about 8 miles. We went into the store, came out and it immediately displayed the issue. It cleaned up before we got out of the parking lot, he had to keep it rev'd above 3,000 rpm. It also rattled the exhaust while it was misbehaving. Once on the road, it disappeared.

I had him change the coolant temperature sensor last weekend. I'm starting to think he has an intermittent short in the wiring. ???

[MikeFleming]

... but it seems to retard the timing and will barely run. There area couple options: EEC Tuner card/QuarterHorse with appropriate logging info and a notebook to capture the data, or a timing light.


I had him change the coolant temperature sensor last weekend. I'm starting to think he has an intermittent short in the wiring. ??? Quite possible. What year is the car (and wiring)?

Inspect the TFI stub harness as it exits the EEC harness and extends to the TFI. That is a very common place for insulation to fall off.

[Bob Holmes]

It quit completely, this morning, about 3 miles from home. Maybe it'll help us find the problem now that it isn't intermittent.

[Bob Holmes]

Damn, dizzy rotor not rotating. Looks like we have an engine coming out for a new aux shaft and an oil pan and pump cleaning.

[MikeFleming]

That would account for the feeling of retarded ignition timing.

You need some crocodile tongues for that car.

[Bob Holmes]

Send a plate, put it on my tab.

Pulled the aux shaft, no sheared teeth. :confused:

Stuck my pre-oiler in and could turn the oil pump by hand. :confused:

Ahhhhh, I know. Sure enough, shear pin for dizzy gears had......

sheared.


I've gone to the candy store (JY) a few times recently, so I have a dizzy to swap in. Hopefully this will fix our persistent problem.

[MikeFleming]

If it weren't for bad luck, ...

[Bob Holmes]

Finally, SUCCESS!

Swapped in a distributor with an OEM gear and pin. After making sure the cam timing was correct, and setting the proper timing, it purred like a kitten.


Jay took it to the smog station. Unbelievably clean. The guy was shocked.

Next Monday, license and registration. Woot!!! It'll be legally back on the road. Not bad when you consider that we started from a shell.

[MikeFleming]

Not bad when you consider that we started from a shell. Some of us still live in shells.

Congrats!