my rx7 won't pass emissions
05-12-02, 08:22 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my rx7 won't pass emissions
I have an 87 non turbo with a 1 year old exhaust that failed the massachusetts emissions tests.
I burned almost solely fuel injector cleaner and I still failed the HC test.
I've had the car three years and it's never passed an emissions test. it's also always had a strange smell coming out of the exhaust. Kind of like that new cat. converter smell except the cats aren't new (but they are in good shape).
I've also dealt with the warm starting problem for 3 years (I can pull the engine fuse without even looking). I think the cars runs rich or lean or something. But I'm not sure. It's possible the throttle body could be gone.
Does anyone know what I should do?
thanks
I burned almost solely fuel injector cleaner and I still failed the HC test.
I've had the car three years and it's never passed an emissions test. it's also always had a strange smell coming out of the exhaust. Kind of like that new cat. converter smell except the cats aren't new (but they are in good shape).
I've also dealt with the warm starting problem for 3 years (I can pull the engine fuse without even looking). I think the cars runs rich or lean or something. But I'm not sure. It's possible the throttle body could be gone.
Does anyone know what I should do?
thanks
05-12-02, 09:36 PM
#2
Senior Member
Are your cats still good? Main cat and Pre-cat. Check them both. Maybe one of them is dead. Or try driving your car for awhile before going to take the test. It'll help. Our cars should be running lean at idle.
- Kevin
- Kevin
05-13-02, 12:38 AM
#5
What R U thinking self?
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had no problems passing California Smog check II Dyno emissions! with my 87 N/A and it has 198k miles on original engine. So I beg to differ with the 1/100 idea. NTM the emissions standards people know that its a rotary and the test is designed for a rotary and compensates for more emisions.
Trending Topics
05-13-02, 10:20 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Massachusetts emissions blow chunks.
I had an inspecter that wouldn't inspect my car because it was too loud. That was after i borrow a pair of brand new stock mufflers and i had a high flow cat. I finally found one that did the test, and i passed because everytime the inspector shifted, the car jumped and one of the testers fell out of the exhaust. Otherwise, its tough here to pass emissions unless you can find a good hookup. First thing they do is walk around the back to see how big the tip is. If anything over 2 inches they won't do it.
I had an inspecter that wouldn't inspect my car because it was too loud. That was after i borrow a pair of brand new stock mufflers and i had a high flow cat. I finally found one that did the test, and i passed because everytime the inspector shifted, the car jumped and one of the testers fell out of the exhaust. Otherwise, its tough here to pass emissions unless you can find a good hookup. First thing they do is walk around the back to see how big the tip is. If anything over 2 inches they won't do it.
05-13-02, 11:20 AM
#10
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Pentagon City
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anybody ever try that denatured alcohol trick? A guy on here mentioned it was one gallon alcohol for five gallons of gas, he said he passed. Anyone else tried it? I know it can't be great for your car, but if your only doing it every other year.... I mean what good is having an RX-7 you can't drive?
05-13-02, 12:16 PM
#11
...must be a conspiracy
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes I know the alcohol trick works, but I could not remember the exact mixture formula. You may also want to check into whether or not MA has an emissions waiver program. Most states have this even though they don't like to publicize it. It goes something like this: If you spend over a certain amount of money (like$200) and can reduce your emissions by a certain amount from the initial reading (like 10%) then they will give you a waiver for the emissions test. Please check your local laws for any further info on this. I know DE, MD and areas of PA have this program, not sure which others.
05-13-02, 12:41 PM
#12
Three spinning triangles
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Been all around this world and still call Texas home (Ft Worth)
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the two times I had my 87 NA inspected it passed with flying colors. I bet one or both of your cats have failed. Get a new high flow performance cat and new O2 sensor and you'll be good. also run premium (which may be like $12.75/gal up there, paid $1.41/gal for premium this morning 
) as well and fuel injector cleaner isnt the best thing to run to try to beat emmisions. you need the liquid heat fuel line deicer or anti freeze the stuff thats like 99.9% alcohol. Fuel injector cleaner has all sorts of other additives that will confuse the sniffer.
) as well and fuel injector cleaner isnt the best thing to run to try to beat emmisions. you need the liquid heat fuel line deicer or anti freeze the stuff thats like 99.9% alcohol. Fuel injector cleaner has all sorts of other additives that will confuse the sniffer.
05-13-02, 01:23 PM
#13
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Monterey Bay Area (Capitola) California
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paul C: I just bought my car from Arlington TX. You might have seen it, red 89 RX-7 T2. From a guy named Mike Torres. Just a thought 
$1.41 I love texas! I should move there...
$1.41 I love texas! I should move there...
05-13-02, 04:47 PM
#14
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have an idea that would be interesting for someone to try out. Make an exhaust out of small pipe diameter cats from the junk yard. Wield like 4 of them together. It will be very restrictive thus making your vehicle operate like it had 40hp. Obviously the cats would make things very clean, although I doubt they'd do anything after the gas passed through the second one.
Obviously the cats would make things very clean, although I doubt they'd do anything after the gas passed through the second one.
05-13-02, 06:18 PM
#16
HAILERS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
20 Posts
Have you tried adjusting your variable resistor? Has a rich/lean screw that is only effective at idle. A too rich mixture might be giving you that rotten egg smell and making it too rich for emissions when at idle.
05-13-02, 06:36 PM
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by HAILERS
Have you tried adjusting your variable resistor? Has a rich/lean screw that is only effective at idle. A too rich mixture might be giving you that rotten egg smell and making it too rich for emissions when at idle.
Have you tried adjusting your variable resistor? Has a rich/lean screw that is only effective at idle. A too rich mixture might be giving you that rotten egg smell and making it too rich for emissions when at idle.
is the rich/lean screw the one right on top of the engine?? if so, I've never touched that.
I should've mentioned this before, I had the TPS adjusted at the dealer about 2 years ago.
the aroma is something like an omelet from denny's at 2 am...
I got double cats (one pipe, two cats) from rx7.com a year ago and the Y and mufflers are 1 year old dynomax.
I'll probably check the rich lean screw first, see if the smell goes away, then replace o2 sensor.
If that doesn't work then I'll apply for a waiver.
05-13-02, 06:52 PM
#19
HAILERS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
20 Posts
No. The rich/lean screw or variable resistor, is located between the air filter and the righthand strut tower.Its black and oval shaped. Has a screw in the center of what looks like a tower. has one plug on the bottom. Has the letters R and L stamped or embossed on it. You figure the meaning of rand l.
05-13-02, 11:17 PM
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by HAILERS
No. The rich/lean screw or variable resistor, is located between the air filter and the righthand strut tower.Its black and oval shaped. Has a screw in the center of what looks like a tower. has one plug on the bottom. Has the letters R and L stamped or embossed on it. You figure the meaning of rand l.
No. The rich/lean screw or variable resistor, is located between the air filter and the righthand strut tower.Its black and oval shaped. Has a screw in the center of what looks like a tower. has one plug on the bottom. Has the letters R and L stamped or embossed on it. You figure the meaning of rand l.
The car runs better; the idle is more stable. And the rotten egg smell seems to be gone--but I'll withhold my final verdict for at least a week of odor-free driving.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of running the car lean? What do other rx owners do?
05-14-02, 06:14 PM
#22
HAILERS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
20 Posts
Sorry, I should have written more. No, you won't hurt the motor. That variable resistor only effects IDLE. No other engine speed. ONLY IDLE. The other thing I should mention, is that you might go just a step further on checking your emissions before having a test done. Its a simple procedure. On the right hand side of your engine, there is a AIR CONTROL VALVE. You will see an approx one inch diameter black hose coming out of the bottom of the acv. Take that hose off. Now with a warmed up engine, put you fingers over the nipple where the hose came off. There should only be a whiff of air coming out. Now reach over to the left side of the engine where you will find a BLUE electrical connector on a solenoid. Disconnect the blue connector, and then put your fingers over that same nipple. You should feel a heavy flow of air. If either of these tests does not work as described, write back. Simple fix. Anyway the air should not be flowing out of that nipple when at idle and the blue connector connected. If it does, that means that escaping air is not going where it should, which is to the PORT AIR and SPLIT AIR ports. Not good if your trying to pass emissions.
Last edited by HAILERS; 05-14-02 at 06:18 PM.
05-15-02, 06:29 PM
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
acv valve
Originally posted by HAILERS
Sorry, I should have written more. No, you won't hurt the motor. That variable resistor only effects IDLE. No other engine speed. ONLY IDLE. The other thing I should mention, is that you might go just a step further on checking your emissions before having a test done. Its a simple procedure. On the right hand side of your engine, there is a AIR CONTROL VALVE. You will see an approx one inch diameter black hose coming out of the bottom of the acv. Take that hose off. Now with a warmed up engine, put you fingers over the nipple where the hose came off. There should only be a whiff of air coming out. Now reach over to the left side of the engine where you will find a BLUE electrical connector on a solenoid. Disconnect the blue connector, and then put your fingers over that same nipple. You should feel a heavy flow of air. If either of these tests does not work as described, write back. Simple fix. Anyway the air should not be flowing out of that nipple when at idle and the blue connector connected. If it does, that means that escaping air is not going where it should, which is to the PORT AIR and SPLIT AIR ports. Not good if your trying to pass emissions.
Sorry, I should have written more. No, you won't hurt the motor. That variable resistor only effects IDLE. No other engine speed. ONLY IDLE. The other thing I should mention, is that you might go just a step further on checking your emissions before having a test done. Its a simple procedure. On the right hand side of your engine, there is a AIR CONTROL VALVE. You will see an approx one inch diameter black hose coming out of the bottom of the acv. Take that hose off. Now with a warmed up engine, put you fingers over the nipple where the hose came off. There should only be a whiff of air coming out. Now reach over to the left side of the engine where you will find a BLUE electrical connector on a solenoid. Disconnect the blue connector, and then put your fingers over that same nipple. You should feel a heavy flow of air. If either of these tests does not work as described, write back. Simple fix. Anyway the air should not be flowing out of that nipple when at idle and the blue connector connected. If it does, that means that escaping air is not going where it should, which is to the PORT AIR and SPLIT AIR ports. Not good if your trying to pass emissions.
http://hypntyz.rx7life.com/parts/DSCF0047.JPG
this is the right valve, the hose being connected to the top pipe in the picture.
I found that pic on the first search, don't ask -)
05-15-02, 07:20 PM
#25
HAILERS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
20 Posts
Wrong item. That is the BAC and is located on the left side of a 87 N/A. I'm refering to the AirControl Valve on the right side of the engine. Look at this thread and a jpg I attached of the acv. Its on the right side of the engine.https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=72272