I need some help.

The '85 2.3l 4 banger i just bought just FAILED emissions.

Limit for Hydro carbons is 2.5000, car's readings where 5.0044.
Limit for Carbon Monoxide is 20.0000, damn car read 91.7051!!!


Says these two failing are caused by being "too rich" and a "bad catalytic converter".


The carb on the car isent the best, looks like it's been apart, and someone put it on wrong, as it seems like where it bolt's to the intake manifold that it rocks back and forth like it's loose.(no place to tighten it without pulling it off the car) Cat's on it are probably stock from '85.

ive already ordered a rebuild kit for the carb, but im wondering if i should order a new mid pipe with a new cat for $100....



if anybody has any advice, please let me know.

Ive NEVER touched a damn carb, so im going to rebuild it and jet it based off the damn instruction's that come with it.

its had a hole can of carb cleaner through the carb..... it has been through a hole tank of gas through it with sea foam in the gas, and today before we went to get it tested i put a can of sea foam through the brake booster/vaccum lines.

so its CLEAN as can be..... just still running like ****. Also has a new air filter.


ugh. need to just park the POS and stop spending money on it until im ready to build it up.

 

I'm sure you just need a new cat.

 

ewwwww emissions testing ftl.

 

not likely, since it is running **** poor, you need to correct those conditions first, first thing I'd do on a car that old would be check for vaccum leaks and make sure fuel pressure is dead on and verify compression is up to par for proper cumbustion.

 

cool.

the old dude i got it from said he did all the tune up stuff, but wont hurt to check everything over.


If i bump the timing you think that would help?

im going to rebuild the carb, and do a few tune up thing's as need be. I dont want to have to buy a new cat if i dont have too.

 

sea foam!!! LOL

 

sea foam's always worked wonder's on my other vehicle's. Like i said, its already had a tank full of gas with sea foam in that through it, and before i went to the sniffer we put a hole can of it through the vaccum line's into the thing. so it should be clean.

My brother said that the sea foam made it fail......... now that i dont get. He seems to think that extra crap in the engine getting blown out the exhaust was still somehow in there, even though we flogged on the car for about 5 miles, stop light to stop light, then drove about 5 or so to the sniffer...

idk.

 

Guarranteed theres a vacum leak right in that area. to start.

 

yea, pretty sure that its pullin in air between the intake manifold and carb.


rebuild kit should be here soon. then ill pull it all apart and hope for the best, haha

 

Emissions testing? HAHA

I would, for the sake of it, check all your plugs and wires. Bad plugs are horrid for emissions.

Secondly, change your gas cap, i've heard of this being a problem as well. (second hand information though).

Finally, high octane fuel and a little bit of timing advance. Obviously you will have to retard your timing after your done that tank of fuel but, 93 octane will give you a more complete burn.

The afforementioned ideas couldnt hurt either.