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

 

What were the numbers?

 

Yeah, were they at least close to passing level?

Moving would be the best option . . .

 

You need to post the failure cause.

 

Sorry, guess that would help.

5.4 Triton

Only failed on the HC:
15 MPH- max 46 measured 68
25 MPH- max 29 measured 42

I am thinking cleaning the plugs and an oil change.
Maybe a fuel and air filter as well.
Kind of things that need to be done anyway.

Any other thoughts?

Luke

 

Are you sure about those numbers? I just got back from having mine smogged a few minutes ago. Mine is an 03 V-6 and it says the max numbers for 15mph is 103 and 25mph is 92. I wouldn't think that the numbers would be that much different. Mine came in at 4@ 15 and 5@ 25, and that is with 260,000 on the clock.

I've herd that some smog shops will fail you then try to get you to "pay" under the table to get to pass. Just saying.

 

Who did the test?
What are 'all' the test results? HC, CO, NOX etc.
What your proposing won't make much of a difference.
If there is in fact high HC a person with a good Scanner looking at the live data to determine the system that is causing the high HC needs to be done.
Otherwise it's all guessing.
Good luck.

 

Change filters, oil, Change plugs, then take it out and blow the crap out of it. It should pass.

 

NEW Motorcraft plugs. Techron in the gas. May need front O2's.

 

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.

 

That's pretty fishy. Especially because you got single digits for both.

 

Yup, and the shop I use is top notch and test only. Out here in Crazyfornia that means they can't even tighten a hose clamp on the air intake!

I think the OP might be getting hosed.

 

Are you guys tested on dynos? My tests a little north of you are done at RPM ...

 

Ok, so here are all the numbers that everyone asked for:

CO2:
15 MPH- measured 14.2
25 MPH- measured 14.4

O2:
15 MPH- measured 0.8
25 MPH- measured 0.6

HC:
15 MPH- measured 68 max 46 ave 4
25 MPH- measured 42 max 29 ave 4

CO:
15 MPH- measured 0.18 max 0.58 ave 0.01
25 MPH- measured 0.15 max 0.72 ave 0.01

NO:
15 MPH- measured 418 max 488 ave 25
25 MPH- measured 279 max 741 ave 24

I don't have any reason to doubt that those are correct numbers.
I have taken several vehicles to the same place and tech and had all the others pass on the first go around.

I will try looking into how to confirm what the max levels should be and see what I can come up with.
Not sure it's worth another $40 to take it to another shop and have it retested until I do the basics on her.

Luke

 

Mine is on a dyno, hadn't thought about that. The RPM numbers may be different, but the OP's results listed MPH. The central coast and SF Bay area have a different standard than So Cal, not quite as stringent.

Maybe it's the software version they are using?????????