Sad story - friend can't smog his car

[conedodger]

Mat,

I think I know the management of his apartment building if I am seeing the picture correctly and it is taken there.

If I had seen this earlier you could have put it on my property... Closer...

[Mat M]

Hello Rob!

Thanks for the offer. I definately would have hit you up if I knew it was available, but I don't think my friends would have. They needed to be coaxed into taking my offer, they were so afraid of intruding, or encroaching, or imposing.

I found some further info, apparently the property management company for their apartments (in Rocklin) changed hands, and these guys play hardball. Wouldn't yield any concessions. My friends got the notice to tow letter on Tuesday while they were at work, not reading it until Tuesday night. The deadline was set for Friday. I think a 3 day (effectively a 2 day) notice is BUNK! Even if he knew exactly what the problem was, getting the parts and installing them, and verifying with a new test and procuring DMV approval would take at LEAST a week!

One of the MANY reasons why I will NEVER live in an apartment complex.

[Mat M]

Well, I have the smog results for my friend's ZX, I hope that someone here will be able to discern something from it. It looks (to me) that the NO is high at slow speed, but drops at high speed.

ZX smog.pdf

[sblake01]

A bad EGR valve or plugged EGR passages in the manifold can cause a high NO reading (most likely). If the EGR system is not working properly it will raise the NO reading. You can also have the cat tested to see if it is working properly but that usually doesn't cause such an extreme reading. Also an engine running above normal operating temperature due to cooling system problems etc. or the timing being off can also raise the NO but gemerally not to that extent. I did notice on the report that is passed the visual and functional EGR test but that doesn't take into account the there may be 'crud' in the passages. Also the timing seems to be too far advanced. (18 deg. BTDC)

[Mat M]

Thanks, Stephan. We need that kind of insight.

It's a new cat, so I HOPE it's functional. I'll take a look at the EGR (as much as I can) and see if it's druddy.

I think we're going to purchase a ECU from zxman.com and see if that gets the timing under control. The ECU was deemed a problem by the shop mechanic.

[sblake01]

Thanks, Stephan. We need that kind of insight.

It's a new cat, so I HOPE it's functional. I'll take a look at the EGR (as much as I can) and see if it's druddy.

I think we're going to purchase a ECU from zxman.com and see if that gets the timing under control. The ECU was deemed a problem by the shop mechanic.

The EGR valve is likely okay. It's the passages under it in the manifold that get carboned up and need to be cleaned out. Can't you just set the timing? The VG30E still has a distirbutor unlike the VG30DE.

[Mat M]

I do have a strobe, and I am trying to download an FSM from carfiche, but every time I look the '86 300ZX is TnA. When I didn't need the info, TnA was usually a good thing!!! I guess I can hook 'er up and spin the dizzy a bit. Let's see where this takes us!

[sblake01]

Go to this site and you can download it right away.

[full house]

thanks! Its a good resources. . .

[Mat M]

Thank you Stephen. I am reading up on the emission control system now. I am concerned that the AIV unit's reed valve just might be gunked up. Something else in the long, and ever growing, list to check and clean.

Also, the FSM states "DO NOT CLEAN AIR FLOW METER WITH ANY TYPE OF DETERGENT" does this include carb/choke cleaner?

That is a very informative site.

[sblake01]

The only thing I would ever spray into the AFM is throttle body/air intake cleaner. It has a lighter consistency than carb/choke cleaner anid is designed to not harm O2 sensors, cat. converters, plastic and rubber parts, etc.

[Mat M]

Again, thank you Stephen.

I researched the FSM, and did some research about the Emission Control system, and found that the reed valves of the AIV (air injection valve) unit is the most likely to get gummed up and give nasty readings. Next on the list was the EGR valve. I also read that the timing is set at the factory for 20 +/- 2 degrees BTDC.

So, first thing's first. I pulled off and opened up the AIV unit, and MAN that thing was CAKED with carbon and crud! When I sprayed the little vacuum dashpot with carb and choke cleaner to try to free up the valve, the housing disintegrated in my hand! The reed valves were BLACK. It took a whole can of carb/choke cleaner with a small brush, and still wasn't coming clean. I disassembled the brass reed valves and hit them with an abrasive (I think its Nyloc) wheel, and made them shiny. Reassembled the unit, sans dashpot, and reinstall.

I also dumped about 1/2 can of seafoam in the oil, and the rest through a vacuum tube just aft of the throttle body. Man did that think SMOKE!!! The bottle reads "fumes will be extreme". That's no lie!

New spark plugs tomorrow. I will open up the EGR and tube the next chance I get free.