Arizona Emissions - 1990 3.0 VZE - Help!

[Badwolf]

I have a 1990 3.0 5 speed. Passed emissions 2 years ago.

Failed emissions this time. Way over on CO (46 - limit is 20) and slightly over on NOX and HC.

Tried a couple of quarts of alcohol, set timing just right, and cleaned the heck out of the throttle body - didn't really do anything - results WENT UP slightly (go figure).

Changed the catalytic converter - same result. Got a print out of the driving cycle, and the smog GOES WAY UP during acceleration (well, obviously) but almost seemed like the motor is running too rich - checked the cold start injector (figured it may be it was continuing to shoot in fuel when warm). It's working fine.

Plugs and wires are okay, although I'm probably due for plugs, rotors, cap, and wires. The idle is running high (1050-1100 rpm, usually, which lead us to believe maybe the cold start injector was staying open).

Our next idea is the O2 sensor.

I mean, what the hell else could it be? The check engine light IS NOT on, and the engine is throwing NO CODES.

I'm effing baffled.

Thanks in advance.

- Paul in AZ

 

[Badwolf]

Does anybody have any ideas?

It's running great, but can't pass to save it's life. I'm not sure I could even "game" the system to get it passed.

 

[blrider2001]

def o2 sensor should have idle turned up it will help lean it out my 90 just passed it loaps a little i turned the idle up and o2 sensor i also have done the isr mod and have a kuni air filter

 

[rustbucket]

Seafoam it!(it will clean out everything) Then change the o2sensor.

 

[Badwolf]

Seafoam it!(it will clean out everything) Then change the o2sensor.

Typical procedures on the Seafoam? 1/3 into brake booster line, 1/3 into oil and 1/3 into gas?

I'll give that a try. Then on to the O2 sensor.

 

[rustbucket]

Typical procedures on the Seafoam? 1/3 into brake booster line, 1/3 into oil and 1/3 into gas?

I'll give that a try. Then on to the O2 sensor.

I don't reccommend the oil part, and don't usually do that but I do 1/2 in the gas tank and 1/w through a vaccuum hose( booster line) or pcv.

 

[SUBTEGRAL]

Everything I've read about or videos I've seen said to only add 1/3 to the oil 200 or 300 miles before your next oil & filter change -- (this is to loosen all the junk up in there before draining it)

 

[rustbucket]

Adding seafoam to the crankcase(oil) has a very good possibility of creating new leaks in the engine by loosing upvsludge that make be in essence " holding the engine togather". So for that reason and the fact that the 3.0 usually leaks enough on its own, I don't want to create any more.

 

[Badwolf]

It's a moot point.

I seafoamed the engine, changed the O2 sensor, took it to get sniffed, and still failed miserably.

CO went down a little, HC went down a little, and NOX went up a little.

Still effing baffled, and from what I've been reading, most shops that do "specialty emissions work" are a bunch of rip-off artists.

I think it may be time to sell. Arizona only requires emissions in metro Phoenix and metro Tucson, so there may be someone in an outlying area who could use a great 4Runner, who doesn't have to put up with this BS every 2 years.

 

[BSGcustoms]

that's too bad man, maybe ask a toyota specialty shop before giving up hope. I feel your pain though I am in Tucson and have to deal with the same non-sense. Quite a few of my friends live outside city limits I am tempted to register it at one of their houses to just skip the emissions all together.

 

[glideraz]

i have never tried to run mine thru emissions but i know it would not pass just find someone in an outlying area and register it there i live in maricopa no testing for me and i have budddies that use my address to register there stuff

 

[Badwolf]

i have never tried to run mine thru emissions but i know it would not pass just find someone in an outlying area and register it there i live in Maricopa no testing for me and i have buddies that use my address to register there stuff

It's very tempting, but right now, I don't know of anyone who lives outside of metro Phoenix at whose house I could register her. My father in law lives in Pima, just outside of Tucson, and I'm pretty sure is subject to testing.

It's an obvious subterfuge, but I'm not sure if AZ has the $$$ or manpower to audit where everyone's cars are kept.

The conspiracy theorist in me still thinks that either the machines are not calibrated correctly or the emissions model cannot be reached by a typical 4Runner.

 

[Badwolf]

that's too bad man, maybe ask a toyota specialty shop before giving up hope. I feel your pain though I am in Tucson and have to deal with the same non-sense. Quite a few of my friends live outside city limits I am tempted to register it at one of their houses to just skip the emissions all together.

Any suggestions? I'm in metro Phoenix, but would have no problem bringing her to Tucson to get her straightened out.

 

[Badwolf]

My next guess is an EGR valve. I haven't changed this yet, and another post in the forum says, "the EGR dilutes the gas mixture in the combustion chamber reducing heat and creating the correct mix. One that was stuck closed would cause the engine to run rich."

This would seem to be some of the major symptoms of what's going on here - lean out the mix and the HC's should go down, CO should go down and by reducing temps, NOX should go down.

Am I thinking this correctly or is my logic all messed up / am I grasping at straws here?

Thanks for your collective patience.

 

[BSGcustoms]

I plan to take mine to Dan's Toy Shop in Tucson to see if they can get it fit enough to pass emissions. So far they have been quite good with any Toyota problems I have brought them. You might give them a call and see if they think it is something they could work out for you.

 

[utkan]

Are you burning oil at all? Mass air flow sensor masures tha amount of air flowing throught the intake system and ecu uses this data to calculate air/fuel mixture.
That is my guess

 

[Badwolf]

Did a very fundamental test and very rudimentary cleaning on the EGR hoses and vacuum activation (don't really want to drop $145+ - my cost - on a part if we're not convinced it is blown. We've done that enough). Both seem to be fine. We're planning on looking at the temperature sensor next, feeling that if the sensor is sending information to the ECU indicating a cold engine, extra fuel will continue to be pumped into the intake.

I don't appear to be burning any oil, and the Mass Air Flow sensor seems to be working fine. I think the high idle is tied into this whole problem in some way, shape, or form, though.

"They" are not kidding when "they" say you'll wind up throwing parts at a failing OBD1 vehicle to try to make it pass. Jeez.

I love the 2nd gen 4Runners, but this is my last one. I'm going to have to go into 3rd Generation with the 3.4 L if I want to continue to drive a 4Runner.

BUT - At this point, my buddies and I are pressing on with this insane exploration of the absurd. Now it's a challenge to us as big as Everest.

Wish us luck.

 

[glideraz]

good luck keep posting if you find out what it is mine always runs rich can't figure it out so i just put up with it

 

[Badwolf]

We changed out the engine coolant temperature sensor, and got the idle to drop down to about 850-875 RPM after usually being at 1100 RPM or so. A small victory, but maybe it will help.

Next, we going to take out and clean the PCV valves.

We'll see what happens after that - most likely the EGR Temperature sensor.

This nightmare has gone on long enough.

:redbrick:

 

[Badwolf]

I plan to take mine to Dan's Toy Shop in Tucson to see if they can get it fit enough to pass emissions. So far they have been quite good with any Toyota problems I have brought them. You might give them a call and see if they think it is something they could work out for you.

We're still trying to work it out at our end. If all else fails, I'll give them a call.

Thanks.