Failed smog. Update: failed the 2nd test :(

[Vette73]

Does this really work? Seems like it wouldn't do much to me except make the car run shittier.

No it will not work. Gas is already 10% ethanol. Ethanol is a alcohol so gas already has it out of the pump. Its one of the reason why there is very little need for water removers anymore.

 

[alphatarget1]

I go to school in TX and I'm visiting my family in CA. I used to live in CA. My Subaru is now registered in TX and I don't have to worry about smog in my county. The car (that failed smog) runs fine, doesn't smoke any black or white stuff at all, and gas mileage isn't any worse than compared to when we first bought the car.

I'm waiting for the O2 sensors to come in. After that I'll run it on the freeway at high RPMs and try to get the engine and cat warm and do the test again. I hope it works out.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

No it will not work. Gas is already 10% ethanol. Ethanol is a alcohol so gas already has it out of the pump. Its one of the reason why there is very little need for water removers anymore.

Rubbing alcohol is isopropanol, which is more fussy about burning than ethanol, so I have no idea how it will behave...

 

[alphatarget1]

Replaced O2 sensor and PCV valve. Failed again (actually worse). I didn't look at the EGV valves at all but I have a feeling that it's the catalytic converter that's not working. I pulled the spark plugs and they looked fine.

I'm submitting an application to get some state assistance to fix the car... If not, my dad will probably give me the car and I'll drive it to Texas.

 

[thomsbrain]

A dirty EGR valve was to blame when an ex's 95 Accord failed smog. Passed with flying colors once that was taken care of.

 

[alphatarget1]

A dirty EGR valve was to blame when an ex's 95 Accord failed smog. Passed with flying colors once that was taken care of.

I'm guessing that the EGR valve isn't to blame because there are no driveability issues with the car at all. I tried to remove it this morning but it was designed in such a way that I can't use a ratchet, only a wrench and there isn't enough room.

We'll just have someone fix it...

 

[obamanation]

Check your oil levels.. a lot of people fail smog because their oil levels are too low. Fill the oil up to the top and make sure that it is clean. Also, try to find out if you're burning oil or not.

 

[PottedMeat]

is this one of those things you can fix by bribing a crooked mechanic?

 

[Howard]

I'm guessing that the EGR valve isn't to blame because there are no driveability issues with the car at all. I tried to remove it this morning but it was designed in such a way that I can't use a ratchet, only a wrench and there isn't enough room.

We'll just have someone fix it...

stubby gearwrench is perfect for that

 

[thomsbrain]

I'm guessing that the EGR valve isn't to blame because there are no driveability issues with the car at all. I tried to remove it this morning but it was designed in such a way that I can't use a ratchet, only a wrench and there isn't enough room.

We'll just have someone fix it...

There were no driveability issues on our 95 with a dirty EGR, either. It ran perfectly.

 

[NutBucket]

is this one of those things you can fix by bribing a crooked mechanic?

Yes, you can find shops that will help you out

And yes a dirty EGR can cause problems but sometimes its not just valve; it can be the actual passages in the intake manifold which aren't so trivial to clean.

 

[cmf21]

Run a can of seafoam through the car and see what that does

 

[Kirby]

is this one of those things you can fix by bribing a crooked mechanic?

if the car ran fine, i would have done this before buying a single part.