jbilly Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Hi guys just got my 1990 mj back from inspection and it failed inspection, emissions to be more precise. I live in PA so it is pretty rough. I'm looking at the inspection report and it failed the tailpipe emissions inspection. The CO% limit is 1.2 at idle and mine was at 7.9 and at 2500 RPM the limit is 1.2 and mine read 10.4... Then the HC pm limit at idle and 2500 RPM was 220 and mine read 410 at idle and 316 at 2500 rpm. It passed everything else fine it has a cat, muffler, and all that. Now I think I took it to the wrong place and they are just trying to swindle all the money they can out of me. They said a tune up MIGHT help which is around $350... Yeah I'm not doing that if at all possible. Anyone know what the problem could be? Any feedback is appreciated!! Oh and its a 4.0 l with 120k on the rebuilt motor (189k on the body) if that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComancheKrazy Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 A tune up might help, but not for no $350...for that price they better have a pretty woman give you a good massage all over and lots of stuff. :rotf: This is why I never go to a shop for anything, I'd rather have bloody hands and a hurting back than pay some greasy fools who may do a half a$$ job. I know some cheap/no good mechanics, some will do some sleezy stuff. I know one that when it comes to minivans, if he's doing a plug and wire change he will only change the front plugs and wires because they are easy to get to but won't touch the back ones because they are difficult to get to from the top of the engine. He's too lazy to jack it up and change them from under neath. Another case of his, a vehicle with the check engine light on...he checks it...it has 9 codes. The person gets it back, only to still have it running bad. Genious mechanic pulled the check engine light bulb :shake: Obviously not all people are like that, but you never know who is or isn't. Only I work on my baby. :brows: Only thing I use those mechanics for is an "inspection" lol. I know for a fact my truck won't pass, but acccording to them, my rig is doing fine. :thumbsup: Thats only a 20 dollar inspection too. About your rig, do you know much about the previous owner? The catalytic convertor might have been banged hollow so it isn't filtering the air coming out. (just a theory) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Get a second inspection and compare them. If they're the same you have a problem. If they're different send copies of both reports to what ever state dept is responsible for vehicle inspections. Also make a report to the local agency responsible for licensing garages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STERLING STINGER Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 just get a new gas cap...thats all the test is. the machine dosent even touch the truck so how can he know anything about it? you are going to get ripped off...its just your gaa cap...trust me..and its newb, not noob, and welcome to cc :smart: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 PA?? I live in MD but all my vehicles are registered in PA and all they do is check safety items for inspection. I have never had an emissions inspection for ANY vehicle older than 1996. $350 for changing a dist. cap, wires, plugs, and maybe fuel filter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 You most likely need an oxygen sensor. You may also need a new thermostat -- running a cold thermostat can affect emissions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tj21 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Mine failed in Oregon with similar results. Now I'm in the process of getting all the vacuum lines plugged in properly to see if that helps. I currently have 4 lines that are dangling with no where to go. Seems like that would kill the emissions test. You may want to check yours as well. I also took it there with 8 year old gas which couldn't help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aemsee Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 just get a new gas cap...thats all the test is. the machine dosent even touch the truck so how can he know anything about it? you are going to get ripped off...its just your gaa cap...trust me..and its newb, not noob, and welcome to cc :smart: Gas cap??? :nuts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STERLING STINGER Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I'm almost 40 and have been driving since i was 16. I've never had a car without an inspection, and when they came out, emissions sticker. every place I've ever been with every car for an emissions test takes off you gas cap and puts it on a machine that reads some hz pressure. never,never have i ever seen any other test done for this sticker. I've been everywhere to get my vehicles inspected too. from Sears to lick n sticks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986Comanche Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I'm almost 40 and have been driving since i was 16.I've never had a car without an inspection, and when they came out, emissions sticker. every place I've ever been with every car for an emissions test takes off you gas cap and puts it on a machine that reads some hz pressure. never,never have i ever seen any other test done for this sticker. I've been everywhere to get my vehicles inspected too. from Sears to lick n sticks... You have to remember that you are in Lackawanna County and he is in Washington County. The Emissions inspection is different depending on what county you live in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Get a second inspection and compare them. If they're the same you have a problem. If they're different send copies of both reports to what ever state dept is responsible for vehicle inspections. Also make a report to the local agency responsible for licensing garages. X2, some places will keep a dirty filter around for the testing machine, dirty filter = you fail. Try a second place, first place sounds sketchy to me ($350 for a 4.0L tuneup :nuts: ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbilly Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Thanks for all your help guys! :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xj_dummy Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Change your plugs to factory, fuel filter, air filter, cap and rotor, gas cap. And also do an oil change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Before you start throwing money at it ... please read this: http://www.auto-repair-help.com/auto_di ... ailure.php You have high CO (carbon monoxide) AND high HC (unburned hydrocarbons). That's not very usual. Look for things in the lists that occur under both categories and start there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aemsee Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I'm almost 40 and have been driving since i was 16.I've never had a car without an inspection, and when they came out, emissions sticker. every place I've ever been with every car for an emissions test takes off you gas cap and puts it on a machine that reads some hz pressure. never,never have i ever seen any other test done for this sticker. I've been everywhere to get my vehicles inspected too. from Sears to lick n sticks... Starting in model year 1996 passenger vehicles had to meet OBDII regulations. Part of these regulations included controlling evaporative emissions. This was done by having fuel systems sealed and monitored, typically by using vacuum decay of the fuel system. (except Chrysler, who used a pressure pump. Really stupid).This is where the fuel filler cap comes in to play. If the cap seal or the pressure relief system for the cap was bad, it would throw a CEL. He is taliking about actual tailpipe testing, where they check the exhaust for HC, CO and NOx typically. A faulty gas cap isn't going to affect your tail pipe readings for any of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 He is taliking about actual tailpipe testing, where they check the exhaust for HC, CO and NOx typically. A faulty gas cap isn't going to affect your tail pipe readings for any of these. This isn't a hijack, just my experience yesterday. I have done: O2 sensor Coolant Temp Sensor All engine vac lines, CCV etc. All HVAC vac lines All T/C vac lines Cleaned out the valve cover & baffles New gas cap Charcoal cannister lines Checked EGR and EGR solenoid function Plugs, wires, rotor, fuel filter, changed oil. Radiator, hoses, pump etc. Engine runs great, doesn't overheat, this is CA so there's no "inspection" other than under the hood and the gas cap. The rest of the truck is a work in progress. Well, the MJ was about to pass with flying colors. All the engine tests came out clean as a whistle. The last test, CA emissions Evap. Pressure Test. FAIL. The problem is that there are 2 vents in the top of the tank, each has a hose to it, they tee off and go into the vapor return line to the charcoal cannister. In the test they pressurize the tank and pinch off the return line at the cannister. If the tank holds the pressure for ~2 minutes, you pass, if not FAIL. That is you fail the whole thing, no smog, no registration. So I dropped the tank. There are 2 grommet dealio's that have a nipple on them for each of the vent hoses. One of them is gone, one is broken. Does anyone know what these are called, where to get them or ???. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Never hurts to do your own tune-up. 1) Seafoam or Mopar cumbustion chamber cleaner. 2) run it for 100 miles 3) basic tune-up: oil change, plugs, wires, filters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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