Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Crazy mods
by Wedgy - March 28th 2024 7:24 am
Good day
by SDMickey - March 27th 2024 10:55 pm
Lew Greger
by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
1987 G20 Gypsy
by SDMickey - March 25th 2024 9:39 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
#586379 October 02nd 2012 4:36 pm
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 39
DrPop Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 39
Well, CA smog check comes back with a fail - everything is good except for the NO PPM numbers. At 15MPH, the reading is 926 and the max allowed is 356. At 25MPH, the reading is 570 and the max allowed is 533.

Are the NO PPM numbers something a regular tune-up like plugs, wires, cap & rotor and an oil change would fix? Or are we talking something serious here? Man, I hope not...


1993 Chevy Astro EXT Hi-top conversion
[Linked Image]
Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #586410 October 02nd 2012 6:31 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
You need an O2 censor...

here is my report on a 454...

[Linked Image]


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #586412 October 02nd 2012 6:43 pm
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 42
W
veteran
Offline
veteran
W
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 42
A o2 sensor is a possibility, by no means conclusive.

read:

http://www.smogtips.com/failed-high-NO-nitrous-oxide.cfm

Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
wrcsixeight #586469 October 03rd 2012 10:04 am
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 39
DrPop Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 39
Hi and thanks for the advice. I am pretty sure the engine needs a tune-up at the very least, an oil change and probably an 02 sensor like you suggest. Hope it's not too hard to get to. smile
Tags are good til the 18th, so I have a couple weeks to get her done.

Couple questions if you guys don't mind? The guys over on the Astrosafari.com forum were saying I should pony up for iridium plugs because they will last a long time, and doing plugs in the Astro is a pain...also that I need to source 8mm wires, and possibly an Accel coil. Lastly, new cap and rotor should be brass.
Do you guys agree with that info, and/or have any additional thoughts or considerations to throw at me?
Thanks for your time as always,
Jed


1993 Chevy Astro EXT Hi-top conversion
[Linked Image]
Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #586556 October 04th 2012 1:36 am
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 9,854
Likes: 8
U
Festerus Vannimus
Offline
Festerus Vannimus
U
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 9,854
Likes: 8
I get the best mpg with good old AC Delco plugs in my Astro. The rest is not bad advice, brass cap is better than the cheaply aluminum ones, 8mm plug wires carry more spark, Accell coil is a hotter spark. . . .

I also have great luck with running BG Chem 44k in the tank about once every 25 k miles or so, cleans up the junk in the fuel system real nice, just put it In the tank and go. . .


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #586576 October 04th 2012 5:16 am
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 753
old hand
Offline
old hand
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 753
Yep, tune-up including o2 sensor with good parts. Maybe check air filter and run some injector cleaner.


When Chris Farley talked about living in a van down by the river, did anybody else think that wasn't such a bad idea?
Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #586579 October 04th 2012 5:37 am
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 42
W
veteran
Offline
veteran
W
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 42
Redline SL-1 or gumout regane or CRC guarantee to pass or techron are among the best fuel injector cleaners containing Poly ether amine which was basically a patent by chevron/techron.

Look into water decarbonization too, or if you want to get aggressive, and like smoke, try seafoam down the brake booster line, but do it before you change the 02 sensor(s).

Iridium plugs are like 8$ each minimum

Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #586598 October 04th 2012 8:36 am
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,051
B
old hand
Offline
old hand
B
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,051
Ive used iridium plugs, if you want to put a set of plugs in once every 100k miles or so, iridium plugs are worth it in my opinion. Astro's aren't as hard to put plugs in as my full size, both with 4.3's. If you have the dough to spring for the 8.8 wires, it's a good investment but they will not fit your factory wire looms so figure on a way to tie them up. An Accel coil is a good purchase and a quality (not Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly house brand, Standard Ignition or AC Delco, see rockauto.com) distributor cap and rotor button. A couple cans of SeaFoam fuel system cleaner in two successive fill-ups. Don't forget to splurge for a good air filter too.

I had a supercharged Buick with 140k miles and the original iridium plugs. The wires were rotten and falling off, I pulled the plugs and they looked new, I put a new set of wires on it and when I sold it 20k miles later, it was still running perfect.


'85 GMC Shorty
'98 Suburban K2500
'98 Pontiac G8 GT
'77 Pontiac Astre
'95 Jeep Wrangler
"I thought you weren't allowed to talk to guys with vans??"
Re: Didn't pass CA Smog check - help?
DrPop #590946 November 05th 2012 1:08 pm
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,898
Vanner
Offline
Vanner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,898
Originally Posted by DrPop
Well, CA smog check comes back with a fail - everything is good except for the NO PPM numbers. At 15MPH, the reading is 926 and the max allowed is 356. At 25MPH, the reading is 570 and the max allowed is 533.

Are the NO PPM numbers something a regular tune-up like plugs, wires, cap & rotor and an oil change would fix? Or are we talking something serious here? Man, I hope not...


My Astro failed because the wire to the temp sender was corroded...It told the ECU it was not at operating temperature and applied the choke making it run rich....It had been that while from the previous owner so I had to put a new cat in...


I don't need to be honoured by Vanning, I am honoured to be Vanning !
Supporting Vanning, by going Vanning In A Van !
I hate it, when real life interferes with Vanning !
Van Clan Plus One, Vanning since 1977 !
Ontario Federation Of Truckers (Vanner's)
Ottawa Valley Vans
I.B.O.B.
Founder,Mixed Bag Truckers

Moderated by  Astro 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
1 members (Wedgy), 20 guests, and 9 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
TheDrunkenGunsmith, Jac, LOVclassics, ZenMuffin, Milkman530
12724 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 130
CatFish 28
frscke1 28
Wedgy 21
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,747
Posts537,897
Members12,724
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4