Inspection/sniffer test

[Saleen91]

So for the first time since I've owned my RV it didn't pass the emissions sniffer test. It passed EVERYWHERE but the HC's at idle were high (552, 300 is passing). The tester said he's seen other RV's not pass in the same spot due to old gas. Well the gas that's in it is at least a year old, and I hate to burn up 40 gallons (half a tank) just to get that stupid sticker. Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can get around this? Was his "diagnosis" accurate? Considering I've only driven the RV 1000 miles in the past 12 months, and it's passed with flying colors every other time.

FWIW, the high speed test it showed 23 for HC.

[Timebomb]

I wasn't aware that they tested at idle at then at high speed. When I had my RV inspected about 2 weeks ago all he did was tell me to where to hold the RPM's to get so he could get the reading. My RV has all of the emissions removed on it (both smog pumps are there with belts around them but the outputs blow into nothing) and it passed with flying colors.

I'd take a look at the carb and choke setup and double check that everything is hooked up. I'm not buying that it's the gas that is a year old that is causing the high HC reading at idle. I know a somewhat freindly inspection station over here in Baytown if you want to try them. I take all my vehicles to him and he will work with me if there is a problem.

If you need to Ben, I have a fuel pump that we can use to drain the tank out and save the gas into a drum (I can get that also). Then you can try again with new gas.

[FE_rex]

if you think it is bad gas why don't you hook up a gas can and an auxillary pump.

BTW 1 year old gas is a real good way of sticking a valve. I almost lost my 65 motor to that.

[Saleen91]

Well the inspection doesn't expire until the end of March. I figure I'll burn the rest of the gas out of there, and another 40 gallons, at FFW.

[White90GT]

I need a friendly inspection station to get the vert done. Anyone know of one on the east side of town. It should pass all tests on its own, but I don't want to put insurance on it just to get it inspected.

[Otis!]

I thought you'd have a sponsor for one Carl, LOL!

[White90GT]

I thought you'd have a sponsor for one Carl, LOL!

:blah: :fu:

[HoustonLX]

Whats the purpose of getting it inspected if you are not going to have insurance on it? Please tell me you don't have plans of driving it without.

[White90GT]

Maybe it will sell easier with a valid inspection sticker on it.

[trbstang]

Have you guys with multiple cars looked into American Hobbyist Insurance? I read about them on Stangnet.

http://www.americanhobbyist.com/index.htm

If you have 10 years of driving, no more than one ticket in last 3 years, keep the cars garaged, and have other daily drivers, they have great rates for stated value coverage. I ran mine for $6,000 coverage, $50 comp and $200 collision ded, min liability, and it was only $91 a year! For your car Carl, it could be as cheap as $62 a year or so for $3,000 of coverage.

[Alex in Houston]

Thankx Thomas!

Even with the lowest deductible and the most coverage I could get, yearly total $248 Woooo--------Hooooo!!
I'm stoked!

[Saleen91]

Just an update....and I'm looking for ideas.

The RV has a fresh tank of gas. The HC's at high speed we 20 (limit is 300), so it blows clean at high speed. But at idle they were 350-370. That's better than 500's, but still above the allowed limit of 300.

The tech inspector said to "do an engine flush". Uh whatever, I doubt changing the engine oil will help since it's only got maybe 300 miles on that oil. The only thing I can think of is ignition since it's been a few years since I last did the plugs in it...but as few miles as the RV gets per year I'm betting that it's only been about 5000 miles on those plugs and wires.

So any suggestions on how to get my HC's down at idle? Everything else passed with flying colors! BTW, in 2009 it'll be 25 years old and exempt from the sniffer test! :bubbrubb:

[rxracer]

adjust the timing. HC is unburned fuel, correct?

[Timebomb]

I agree back the timing down a bit....if you didn't know there is another timing mark that you can actually see from under the RV, you use this mark and time the motor off the #5 spark plug I believe. Also if the tank is full of gas, I'd throw about 3-4 bottles of IPA in the tank and try again.

[Saleen91]

I've never adjusted the timing so I have no idea what it's at. What did you set yours to Brent?

[Timebomb]

All I did was drive it down the block increasing the timing by two degrees until it pinged, then I backed it down 2 degrees and left it there. Took it in and had it inspected a week later and it blew so clean the guy couldn't believe it and I have absolutely none of the smog stuff hooked up on the 454 in the motor home....both smog pumps blow out into the engine bay and the exhaust air injection system is pluged....go figure that one out.

[Saleen91]

From searching google, the common trick seems to be backing the timing down and increasing the idle. I hate pulling out timing when the motor isnt even pinging...but if that'll get me that stupid sticker for a couple more years, I'll do it.

[NiCk]

Drive to Montgomery County and get it done. They don't have emissions only safety. Tell them you are up there getting it worked on and they will do it. Did that with the stang one year.

[Timebomb]

Drive to Montgomery County and get it done. They don't have emissions only safety. Tell them you are up there getting it worked on and they will do it. Did that with the stang one year.

Ain't gonna work unless the inspection station attendant is a complete moron, the vehicle has to be inspected in the county that it is registered and insured in. Only if it was that easy.

[nintylx]

We good ole Boys in the woods (Montgomery county) also get sniffed!!!

[MBR]

common problem at low speed is carbon build up. Clean the throttle body and add a can or two of SeaFoam to your gas tank, then run the piss out of it on the freeway...

[nintylx]

+1 on the Sea Foam it is a working snake oil! Napa Has It!

[MBR]

Napa, Oreilly, AutoZone, etc

[Rusman]

Does sea foam make the car smoke? I've heard of people running it through the vacuum line and it smoked like a bizatch. I can't do that in my neighborhood...and get away with it.

[FE_rex]

Oh yeah it smokes - do it at night, no one will see it

[rxracer]

Does sea foam make the car smoke? I've heard of people running it through the vacuum line and it smoked like a bizatch. I can't do that in my neighborhood...and get away with it.
http://jcob2.com/seafoam.wmv

:D