1995 90 wont pass emissions
 

Hey all as you see in the desc. my 90 wont pass emissions (2.8 v6). It doesnt seem to have an exhaust leak but it does smell, almost like its carburated. strong exhaust smell. Any clue on points to start looking at.

OBDII codes, auto supply will read them for you if you don't have a code reader.

O2 sensor
bad injector

Lots of other fuel related parts, how does it run, gas millage suddenly gone down?


A wise man at my local inspection station whispered in my ear that I should drive our 90's BMW on the freeway in a lower gear (get it nice and toasty) then come straight to see him, PASSED on the first try and the next 2 years.

VAG sensor is on its way. Thank you.

Dunno its new to me (92,245 miles). Great power, mileage seems good. Just stinks and wont pass emissions. Exhaust looks shiny and uncorroded all through out.

VAG sensor? LOL
It's OBD-I, first of all. You call pull your codes 12v Pages - Maintenance after you do that, post them here
also post your results of emissions scan.

That "guaranteed to pass" additive might put you over the top (follow the directions carefully) but be sure to address the real issues.

We really need to know what the smog check station found, is the problem HC or what?

O2 sensor if it's old.

Alright so do I need an obd1 or and obd2 scanner?
its a 1995 Audi 90 C with a 2.8l V6 30v, front wheel drive, Automatic Transmission


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...b6817ceb31.jpg

On my manual converted cab, I tracked down all the vacuum leaks & fixed the common plugged EGR system, and still didn't pass.

I then ordered a new set of catalytic converters from ebay for ~$110 each and passed with flying colors.

It turns out one of the original cats had been hit on something and lost its internal matrix.

<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3879/14294229428_e8c6b100a4_b_d.jpg">

if you would of read my prior post, I'm telling you that it's an obd-1 car and i'm giving you instructions on how to pull the codes without a scanner 12v Pages - Maintenance
so lets try this again, do the scan, and report back with the codes, also post what areas of emissions you failed

I took my car to Interstate Batteries and the guy said it was OBD-II. I still dread needing to buy a OBD-I Scanner. Maybe he was mistaken? I know this car uses coil packs and not a distributer so timing isn't an issue. I am trying to pass California Emissions as well but my problem is blue smoke. I am going to use some "Restore Engine Restorer" in case it is the piston walls/rings and 20w-50 high mileage oil (even though it only has 165,000). If it is the valve seals I think I will try Marvels Mystery Oil. I only need to pass to transfer the title to my name. After that I will register it to a county that doesn't need to pass smog every 2 years.

OBD-2 was not introduced till 96, follow the link i posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you can waste money and continue throwing parts, or you can actually do diagnostics and fix what's actually wrong

I agree about diagnosing the problem but, I have tried doing my own diagnostics. It gives me a headache and usually I replace working parts so I take it to a mechanic that I deeply trust. I try to DIY the rest of it.

I don't think ericmu17 ever said that he has codes... he just has stinky exhaust and will not pass emissions.

If ericmu17 could take a good picture or a scan of the smog receipt or tell us what failed we could probably help him better. I will assume HydroCarbons since a lot of 90 owners on here have that exact issue.

I think "sanchius" advice was sound. He has a good method (order to buy parts in) to pass smog. If "ericmu17" is not getting any check engine light.

1. Vacuum Leaks (replace as many hoses as your skill allows)
2. "Common" plugged EGR problem (disassemble EGR system and test valve)
3. Catalytic Converters (replace as a more final step since cost is high)

I personally don't actually get any SOLID codes. What I mean by solid is, occasionally when I drive on the freeway and exceed 55mph my check engine light comes on. But I get off the freeway and the light turns off circa thirty seconds. Anyone else get those? Hard to check without an actual reader right?

Sorry if I posted too much last post I was trying to list a few "snake oils" that I have researched at the same time I was inquiring about the OBD-1/2 mix up.

The snake oils were a bit off topic and I apologize for that as well. I will try to examine my issue more closely and then post my own thread. However, I will respect "ericmu17" and avoid Hijacking this thread the best I can. But I will keep an eye on this one because I am anticipating your outcome.

our ECUs stores fault codes, just because you check engine light is not on, doesn't mean that they are not stored. you can retrieve them through the link I've posted. Pull them, and we can go from there.
and as you read the smoke signals from the car:
Blue smoke-OIL
Gray smoke-is most commonly found in vehicles with an auto trans, so probably not applicable here.
White smoke- is either vapor or a blown head gasket
Black smoke is too much fuel

Ericmu17, I took mine to an audi dealer about ten years ago when it failed the emissions. They charged me a completely wasted $200 and ran a diagnostic kit on it(don't know what) and it said o2 sensors and cat not working. Rubbish. I didn't change either. I took the top engine cover off and stuck a bit of silicon tubing(windscreen washer line) in my ear and ran the other end around the vacuum lines and came across a loud hissing which you can't hear easily without the tubing trick. A plastic connector had a crack in it and was letting in air. Wound a load of self amalgamating tape around it and that was problem solved. Emissions passed as normal.

Thanks!

Here's a <a href="http://forums.quattroworld.com/9080/msgs/44685.phtml">complete description of my emissions process, with the HC/NOX/CO numbers from the emissions tests at each step </a>, from 2014 for reference.

You can see what a massive difference new cats made on the HC level

If you find this information useful, please document your experience in that thread with numbers so we can learn from what you encounter.
Who know, it might save my bacon two years from now.

Here's a <a href="http://forums.quattroworld.com/oldsearch/?searchTxt=emissions&searchSubj=1&searchMsg=1&foru mID[]=29&flagNT=&flagPIC=&flagVID=&flagURL=&startDate=& endDate=&posterAID=&posterName=sanchius"> description of some other emissions related posts I made there</a>

Here's some of the <a href="http://forums.quattroworld.com/9080/msgs/47228.phtml"> fun things I do with my cab</a> in Colorado.

<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7189277177_0819feaa49_b.jpg">

Just an update, I passed smog. I still get the check engine light when I get on the freeway sometimes but like I said it turns off when I restart the car so they didn't fail it for that.

My problem was blue (I thought it looked more white) smoke. I just didn't tell the smog mechanic I had this problem in the past. I handed him the title and asked him to smog it.

I did use Restore Engine Restorer in my oil to help the piston rings. Maybe it worked, maybe I didn't need it. I also used Castrol High Mileage 20w-50. I drove the car on a back road hard for 150mi.

I also noticed my coolant was running low but I did not fill it. Could low coolant in the reservoir (Below the min. line) cause white smoke in any circumstance?

Still waiting for ericmu17 to give us an update...

visatrade congratulations on passing.

I recommended Restore to a co worker, cops threatened to take her car off the road, it worked pretty good for a few months.

CRAZY RUSSIAN mentioned white smoke is caused by water, BETTER add some coolant ASAP! Low coolant should be causing your cel.

Good luck and keep after it