The ever feared emissions test...

[Darbji280z]

In Indiana, I have to put my Z through an emissions test. Anything that is 1976 and newer has to have one. There is no way in hell she's going to pass. Any tricks that you know of? I realy don't want to put her right back in the garage.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Full tune-up (plugs, cap, rotor, etc), new air and fuel filters, Premium gas, run it for at least 20 minutes before you go. you want the motor hot so it'll burn fuel more efficiantly. Also get your idle as close to 1000rpm as possible. The more you can get it off the idle, the better you are. Off idle will help suck in more air hense cleaner burn.

Good luck.

Dave

[sblake01]

No tricks really. Just have everything in good working order. I have a portable exhaust analyzer that I sometimes use prior to a smog check but I've only used it once on my Z. It's more for my 810 and other cars I work on. Here are the last 6 smog checks for my Z:

[sblake01]

Idle doesn't matter much here. In California, they test them at 15 and 25 mph for whatever reason. They'll actually fail you if your idle speed is not within factory spec.

[Arne]

There is no way in hell she's going to pass.

Darb, what makes you think that she won't pass? What symptoms are you having?

[76Datsun280z]

Who knows, she might just surprise you!

[Walter Moore]

Remember, the emissions standards for pre-1981 cars are a lot easier to pass than later cars.

By the way, is it just Lake county that has mandatory testing, or are there other counties up near Chicago that are included?

[Ksteve]

Darbji, In addition to a tune up and new ignition components as Dave suggested it would probably help to do a SeaFoam treatment especialy if you have high milage. Do the intake treatment as well as putting some in a half tank of gas, then burn through the tank of gas with some high speed freeway trips.

Also, if you have the timing advanced set it back to factory spec for the test. I think that is another automatic fail in California.

If possible I would just find a shop that will do a pre-test on it (not electronicly transmitted to DMV) to see where it stands. If it fails any categories the technitians will ususaly be able to give you some suggestions. Here in California the "test only" stations are not allowed to do either.

Good luck!

Steve

[sblake01]

I don't do any of that stuff with my 78. Yes I do check the timing and idle speed and make sure the K&N filter is clean but that's about it. You know when your car is running right and when it isn't. Introducing a fuel system treatment into the system prior to a smog check will probably cause you to fail. A pre test costs about the same as the actual test so why spend the money? If it passes the pre test, it will pass the actual test. Most places will give you a free re-test if you fail the initial test. To me, a pre test is a scam but the that's how I feel about the whole California smog check system anyway.

[Ksteve]

Let me clarify. If you do use a SeaFoam type fuel treatment yes you definitely need to use up that tank of gas and refill before you get a smog check, I don't know how the additional chemicals will effect the emisions but it can't be good.

A few years ago I had a 91 Miata that required testing at a "test only" station. It was well tuned and running flawlessly but failed the test only in the unburned HC category. Because this was a test only center there was no pre-test and the results were automaticaly forwarded to the DMV and the car was flagged as a gross polluter. I then had to take the test results to a different station to get advice on what repairs to make. The technitian recomended the SeaFoam so I tried it and it worked. The next test it passed with flying colors.

BUT

My car was now flagged as a gross polluter. Every subsequent smog test for it had to be performed at a test only center and I now had to have it tested more frequently.

Darbji, this is all probably irrelevant to the state requirements where you are, but I think a lot of states are adopting requirements similar to California's.

Stephen, I agree it is a big scam, and owners of older vehicles are the ones picked on the most.

Steve

[m4xwellmurd3r]

I hate emissions >_< I haven't been able to drive my car because of it, BUT because of that, I found out that cylinder 3 was leaking compression and the head was dying for a valve job haha. It should pass with flying colors now AND be in 110% better shape then it was when I bought it.

Emissions suck, but as long as you make sure your car's in top shape and nothings all weird like mine was, it should pass fine.

And Sblake, where did you get your portable exhaust analyzer? how much was it?

[Blue Meanie]

Darb,

Find a friendly mechanic, and bribe him with alcohol.

I took my 72 into a muffler shop just south of Indianapolis to get my new exhaust installed and they threatened to turn me over to the authorities because I did have a catalytic converter on my car. I reminded junior that it was a 1972 and they were not required. Nice.