EGR valve or timing are my guess. EGR valve lowers combustion chamber temps, high combustion chamber temps mean higher nox levels. To high of timing could also increase nox levels because more timing means high combustion temperatures. The cats could also be the problem but I doubt it. Also driving your car hard before going to emissions testing helps keep emissions lower believe it or not. It causes the cats to get really hot which in return cause the catalyst to work more efficiently. The cats don't really start working till there around 600*F.

 

Where in NJ are you?
I don't know how you even got someone in NJ to attempt to inspect your car. It must have the air pump on it.
You need to make sure the EGR passages are open and the EGR is functional.

I copied this from another site:

What causes high NOx (nitric oxide)? NOx is not measured in our area currently, but if your car is registered in an enhanced area (an area that requires testing of NOx), you may run into this problem. High NOx is caused by high combustion temperatures and pressures. Problems that can cause high NOx include:
[ul][*]An inoperative EGR system. The EGR system was designed specifically to reduce NOx; that's it's only function. The EGR, which stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation, allows exhaust gas to enter the combustion chamber through the intake. The exhaust gas has a cooling effect on the combustion chamber.[*]Over advanced ignition timing. The more advanced the ignition timing, the higher the combustion chamber temperatures.[*]Overheating. If the engine temperature is too high the NOx emissions will go up.[*]Lean air/fuel mixture. If the air/fuel mixture is too lean the combustion temperature will go up.[*]Compression over specification. Normally when we think of engines aging we think of the compression going down. However, there are a couple of ways the compression can increase as the engine is used. One is carbon buildup on the tops of the pistons. When carbon forms on the tops of the pistons, the combustion chamber area decreases and the compression ratio increases. The carbon can be manually scraped off the tops of the piston to correct this problem, but that would require disassembling the engine. Click here for cheap alternatives.[*]Mysterious reasons. Sometimes NOx is too high and there's no obvious cause: the EGR works, the timing and advance work normally, the engine temperature is within range, the air fuel mixture is good, and the compression is within spec.. When this happens you can try a little tweaking. If there are two thermostats listed for the car, use the cooler one. If there are two spark plugs listed for the car, use the cooler one. Retard the timing 2 degrees (the maximum allowed). Clear out the EGR passage even if the passage seems fine. Cross your fingers. [/ul]

 

go get some of that stuff they sell at auto zone and poor it in the tank they say it will pass any emission test or your money back?
Ive never tried it but anything would help I guess????

 

If you have to put your smog stuff back on, you won't notice any real loss. Don't they have a visual also? You could fail for that here IF they were to actually check for it.

 

from what i know, no, new jersey does not have a visual inspection...otherwise, yeah, i woulda failed for no smog pump

he said i would have passed, but i just failed nox. i'll talk to him tomorrow morning and see what is up with the EGR system, see what he says they found..

 

wow that blows.. my buddy works at the mobil station and i didnt even bring my car in.. i just gave him my registration and the $30 and he handed me a sticker.. haha granted i didnt have to pass emissions this year.. but in MA they are doing away w/ emission testing for 95 and lower cars w/ OBD I. in August 2008 i believe.

 

you lucky SOB..got damn i wish jersey would do what mass is doing, that would be AMAZING

well, i'll found out in a few hours what the problem is..hoping it's only the EGR valve

 

i just pay 14.50 to my uncle and he slaps one on my car. damn i love texas

 

thats retarded you figure they would help you out, i have a 97 cobra i got limo all the way around and i got my whole front windshield tinted 30% top to bottom and another limo strip on the top. and i get hooked up with inspection stickers. lol.

 

what the hell does your limo tint have to do with failing the snuffer?