CA Emissions
Dear All,
Took the '01 4x4 in for the smog check here in CA and she failed.
Was wondering what everyone thought would be the best places to start on the elimination of possible causes.
I was thinking I would start with plugs, at least a clean and gap, then an oil change.
Wondering if anyone has tried any of the "cleaners" they have on the market?
The truck runs great, just won't pass Uncle Jerry's test.
Luke
Took the '01 4x4 in for the smog check here in CA and she failed.
Was wondering what everyone thought would be the best places to start on the elimination of possible causes.
I was thinking I would start with plugs, at least a clean and gap, then an oil change.
Wondering if anyone has tried any of the "cleaners" they have on the market?
The truck runs great, just won't pass Uncle Jerry's test.

Luke
before this thread sidetracks on detailed CA technicals.....
I would get a new air filter (or clean the one you got if it is aftermarket), clean MAF sensor, bounce the battery terminal to reset the computer, use a bottle of what ever injection cleaner you prefer (techron,stp, yada yada yada) Fill the tank, go for a spirited drive (get her nice n hot, WOT a bit where you can.....blower out.
burn the whole tank, filler up, when she is at half tank again....(let her recalibrate)
go retest.
The test we do here in SoCal is on a dyno.
I have not been able to find anywhere that will give me actual numbers for the max allowed for my vehicle.
Guess that is a trade "secret" that you can't know.
Luke
I have not been able to find anywhere that will give me actual numbers for the max allowed for my vehicle.
Guess that is a trade "secret" that you can't know.
Luke
Resetting the computer is what you do NOT want to do, you will fail with a P1000 till all sensors are ready, which can take a long time.
The only effective injector cleaners are Techron and Gumout with Regane. The rest are snake oil.
I'll say again - NEW plugs. If you are going to go through the trouble to pull them, put new ones in, they are only 4 bucks or so each for OEM.
The only effective injector cleaners are Techron and Gumout with Regane. The rest are snake oil.
I'll say again - NEW plugs. If you are going to go through the trouble to pull them, put new ones in, they are only 4 bucks or so each for OEM.
Resetting the computer is what you do NOT want to do, you will fail with a P1000 till all sensors are ready, which can take a long time.
The only effective injector cleaners are Techron and Gumout with Regane. The rest are snake oil.
I'll say again - NEW plugs. If you are going to go through the trouble to pull them, put new ones in, they are only 4 bucks or so each for OEM.
The only effective injector cleaners are Techron and Gumout with Regane. The rest are snake oil.
I'll say again - NEW plugs. If you are going to go through the trouble to pull them, put new ones in, they are only 4 bucks or so each for OEM.
I'm still thinking that the smog shop is cheating him. I realize that the numbers for my 03 may be different than his year truck, but they are only 2 years different. Plus the MAX allowable he posted seems really low. I'm looking at my paperwork right now and it has:
HC (ppm) @ 15 MPH as 103 Max
HC (ppm) @ 25 MPH as 92 Max
So I think something is shady.
HC (ppm) @ 15 MPH as 103 Max
HC (ppm) @ 25 MPH as 92 Max
So I think something is shady.

If you research Ca emissions it will show you Tier levels, year ranges and vehicle classifications.
To see the specs for your truck is a searching task.
Hi CO is detecting emissions as over the limit for richness.
Injection leaking, fuel pressure to high, regulator leaking into the vacuum hose, restricted air intake, Ox sensors out of calibration or lazy.
Anything that introduces to much fuel.
.
Hi HC is to much unburnt hydrocarbons appearing in the exhaust.
It could be any of the above, plus spark plugs, boots, coils, moisture in the plug wells, leaking EGR [all preceding would be misfires], Cats near end of life [poor cleaning or contaminated].
I would take it a good shop with a Scanner, tail pipe sampling equipment, and knowledge to solve the issue or some luck replacing parts.
Basically everything has to be gone over due to the age of the truck.
Using cleaner and other tricks sometimes works if the reading are borderline but the next time is may be worse yet and force you to get the truck fully serviced or trade up.
Those who move in state and bring non Ca. certified vehicle with them also have a hassle, right away.
As noted, rebooting will cause a long interval before all systems are tested and pass self testing.
This may or may not pass the roller test because of any issue present, the tables being reset from the reboot..
This would be your call and it might even be done by a shop in the course of their work.
Good luck.
To see the specs for your truck is a searching task.
Hi CO is detecting emissions as over the limit for richness.
Injection leaking, fuel pressure to high, regulator leaking into the vacuum hose, restricted air intake, Ox sensors out of calibration or lazy.
Anything that introduces to much fuel.
.
Hi HC is to much unburnt hydrocarbons appearing in the exhaust.
It could be any of the above, plus spark plugs, boots, coils, moisture in the plug wells, leaking EGR [all preceding would be misfires], Cats near end of life [poor cleaning or contaminated].
I would take it a good shop with a Scanner, tail pipe sampling equipment, and knowledge to solve the issue or some luck replacing parts.
Basically everything has to be gone over due to the age of the truck.
Using cleaner and other tricks sometimes works if the reading are borderline but the next time is may be worse yet and force you to get the truck fully serviced or trade up.
Those who move in state and bring non Ca. certified vehicle with them also have a hassle, right away.
As noted, rebooting will cause a long interval before all systems are tested and pass self testing.
This may or may not pass the roller test because of any issue present, the tables being reset from the reboot..
This would be your call and it might even be done by a shop in the course of their work.
Good luck.
An 01 with how many miles? There is a list of recommended maintenance these trucks should have at around 100k I would replace the plugs and minimum the boots clean the throttle body replace the fron 02's get a new ford PCV air and fuel filters. If its near 100k miles. Or if it has higher miles and you dont know for sure that stuff been done I would just do it. The truck will perform better and it will probably pass..
I would recommend a good basic service( fresh tune, oil change,air filter) but also I agree look at O2 sensors . Lazy sensors may not set a code. Good scan tool will show the rate of switching. I dont know how many miles you have but I might take a look at cat efficiency, as they do wear out(basically the catalyst metals begin to erode away reducing efficiency.







