Why won't i pass smog

[nickmat619]

Ok guys so i have a bone stock 1990 240 with the bone stock KA24E. i have all ready done a full tune up on it, cap, rotor, plugs, wires etc etc. I have also ran a higher octane gas figuring that would increase the combustion cleaning everything out. All the fluids have been changed as well as the belts. The car runs like a champ!!

But here is my problem, i have smogged the car twice now and each time it FAILED horribly. The first time my knocks were sky high as well as my CO and hydrocarbons, that instantly got me thinking i need a new cat as well as an EGR. I replaced both and went to smog it again, this time the knock pretty much disappeared so the EGR worked but my CO and Hydrocarbons were still through the roof. i mean with the new cat there was pretty much no change at all.

So when my buddies and I were tinkering around, we noticed that the injector wires looked shitty and were wrapped in e-tape. upon further investigation we realized just by applying pressure we could almost make the injectors short out. It looks like the connection is corroded away in the 24 years of existence, nothing we can't fix with some solder but can this be why I'm failing with such high CO and Hydrocarbons?

Any and all help and suggestions are appreciated

[FaLKoN240]

Clean your maf? New intake filter? Change coolant temp sensor? New O2 sensor? If you google High CO or HC it has some suggestions.

When I had this same problem, I disconnected my fuel pressure regulator to make it run rich to lower the HCs. But to fail high HC and CO is weird...

[nickmat619]

Thanks for the help, the air filter is clean but i will look into the MAF as well as everything else you suggested. Im hoping i don't have to dump much more into the single cam though considering I have a DE waiting to be rebuilt and then thrown in.

[nickmat619]

Clean your maf? New intake filter? Change coolant temp sensor? New O2 sensor? If you google High CO or HC it has some suggestions.

When I had this same problem, I disconnected my fuel pressure regulator to make it run rich to lower the HCs. But to fail high HC and CO is weird...

Thanks for the response, i already had the intake filter replaced so i know tats not it but i will check everything else you suggested. Hopefully it won't take to much more money though, i have a DE on the side that i am going to have rebuilt and than thrown in.

[ixfxi]

delete the egr, catalytic converter and charcoal canister

that should help

[nickmat619]

delete the egr, catalytic converter and charcoal canister

that should help

It might help the numbers but it would still make me fail since i live in Cali

[s14SRguy]

Yeah I'm in cali too.....the laws are made for it to be really hard to pass. Smog tickets and whatnot create bullshit revenue enhancement and to try and 'encourage' people to buy a new car, which probably serve the politicians personal finincal agenda and bussinesbusiness intrests (aka lobbying). These politrix are dumb and do nothing but create a largre industry of people needing and doing dirty smogs.

In other words...fuck ca smog laws. And the politicans who make them, just to go and ride around in 8 gallon a mile hummer limos.

Now that that's out of my system...my buddy had a similar issue. He just ended up finding a place to pass the test thing ya know without many questions asked. Find a spanish speaking friend to go and speak spanish to a little mom and pop style place in a largely mexican part of town. Didn't cost much more than the regular test...lol

Disclaimer: I'm no way encouraging illegal smog, passing the test illegally should be a last resort. If you do, however, recieve an emissions related ticket, (everyone not just OP) I encourage you to wipe your ass with said ticket and mail it to the govenor.

Fuck you CA government. Dont tread on me.

[CtrL]

what he said ^

[240pimp]

I feel your pain. Tried EVERYTHING the OP did to make my ka pass smog including installing a new cat, and it still failed by a large margin. The OP's post was exactly what I did, including replacing the cat, and no luck. Ended up getting hooked up with a valid test, wink, wink, $$$

The real solution was to swap to a SR20DET!!!!!!!!

When I ran it through smog about 3 weeks ago, it passed with flying colours. The readings were less than half what the limit was, and I have a kickass turbo engine, instead of a lame ka.

Loving my SR !

[240pimp]

Here's what i'm workin with. Beats running a shitty ka by a mile and passes smog with no problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l469/hockeydad101/s13%20sr20/april20143.jpg (http://s331.photobucket.com/user/hockeydad101/media/s13%20sr20/april20143.jpg.html)

[nickmat619]

Here's what i'm workin with. Beats running a shitty ka by a mile and passes smog with no problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l469/hockeydad101/s13%20sr20/april20143.jpg (http://s331.photobucket.com/user/hockeydad101/media/s13%20sr20/april20143.jpg.html)

The swap looks good man, unfortunately an SR swap for me would fail before even hitting the sniffer test based off the motor alone, California isn't fond of that motor and won't let me legally run it.

I already have a Ka24de sitting in the garage just waiting to be built and then I am going to do a full swap including finally being manual. Auto's are so boring to drive

[240pimp]

Glad you are rebuilding it, couldnt figure out what was wrong with my DE no matter what i replaced. Could have been worn rings letting oil into the combustion chamber for all i know. It was a mystery.

Are you able to turbo it at least and still pass emissions?

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[Clicky]

Turbo KA I believe would have to be a carb certified turbo. I think Greddy makes one for like 3000

[240pimp]

Turbo KA I believe would have to be a carb certified turbo. I think Greddy makes one for like 3000

Holy crap! I wouldnt be doing that!

Sounds like cali really sucks for old cars, or cars with non stock engines. What do the guys with the hot rods do ????? Those engines are anything but stock.

[s14SRguy]

In California, anything pre 1975 is considered a classic/smog exempt. So you can get a Ford '32 body and drop in whatever you want and it is exempt from smog. I do believe classic cars that are smog exempt are only supposed to be driven a certain number of miles per year or something iirc, not 100% on that part though.

Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, there will still be bullshit legal issues with swapping a RB or SR into your 89 S13 or importing that R32 we all want, because the dipshit liberals in Sacramento decided a classic car in CA isn't 25 years old from current date like everyone else in the US, they decided it was their in their power to tell everyone and define what is and isn't classic. unless your car is pre 1975, its not a classic according to the CA DMV, and you will NEVER get it smog exempt, and constantly have to deal with the risk of DMV and political extortion AKA ref tickets for a motor (sr20) that passes smog no problem and only fails a visual inspection.

Most people in CA are all "my 89 SR swap is almost legal, then I can straight pipe it and not get tickets!!!"....just gotta remind them, sorry bro, we gave up our rights when the liberals got voted in and decided to tell people how they should live, eat, drink, and sleep. Just keep your car stock forever. be basic. accept what we hand to you and give us your money without thinking.

these ignorant assholes wants you to have a bone stock (hybrid now) car. Do nothing to it. Be basic. Buy the brand we want you to. Be a sheep.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

Leave it to fucking liberals to ruin the fun.
First engines, now they set up mobile smog checkpoints/vehicle inspection stations. THESE ARE OPTIONAL, YOU ARE NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED TO TAKE THE TEST. THEY WILL MAKE YOU THINK OTHERWISE. WHEN YOU FAIL THEY WILL GIVE YOU A REF TICKET, TO HEAT THE POLITICANS POOLS IN THEIR 5 MANSIONS. THEY GO AFTER ALL OLD CARS NOT JUST MODDED CARS. TELL THEM YOU HAVE TO BE AT WORK AND HAVE NO TIME FOR THEIR LITTLE TEST, AS YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ONE PRIOR TO REGISTRATION. LEGALLY IF THEY FLAG YOU OVER TO BE INSPECTED, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STOP AND CAN KEEP DRIVING. I HAVE EXERCISED THIS RIGHT BEFORE WITH NO REPERCUSSION (youtube it!)

I wish there was a place like CA without all the STUPID FUCKING PEOPLE who elect our politicians. all puppets running for office anyways.

If you still cant get the KA to pass might as well go SR. if its illegal either way, might as well have more fun while it lasts!

[nickmat619]

Glad you are rebuilding it, couldnt figure out what was wrong with my DE no matter what i replaced. Could have been worn rings letting oil into the combustion chamber for all i know. It was a mystery.

Are you able to turbo it at least and still pass emissions?

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The engine I am having trouble with is the single cam, I have a DE on the side thats going to get rebuilt when I have the funds and then yes I plan to turbo it eventually. I am probably not going to go any carb legal kits only because there aren't many to choose from and the ones I find aren't cheap. When it comes time to smog i will just throw the factory manifold on and the factory ECU and smog it.

[nickmat619]

I wish there was a place like CA without all the STUPID FUCKING PEOPLE who elect our politicians. all puppets running for office anyways.


I couldn't have said it better myself, the unnecessary over intrusive and bullshit laws that are passed here are mind boggling