HELP Passing Emissions 95 SL1

I need help bad people. I have a 1995 Saturn SL1 SOHC. If anyone has
suggestions please let me know. I have to get this car inspected. I keep
failing the low / high idle speed test. The HC limit is 220 and my car is
anywhere from 300 - 500 on the low speed test. It gets better on the high speed part, but it's right at the limit of 220. It's been through 3 times now with my numbers getting better, but there's still an obvious problem. It's definitely still running too rich. I did a basic tune up changing the air filter, pcv valve, plugs, wires, oil & filter. I noticed the coil pack electrodes were pretty corroded if that might be a problem? I hooked it up to the scan tool I have, a Mac Determinator which lists all types of things I don't really understand. Maybe someone could tell me what I need to look for # wise on the scan tool to determine where my fault lies. I have a decent multimeter that I think can test alot of the parts, I just don't know what to test or where to start. Would a manual list the values I I need to determine if parts are good or bad? Thanks in advance for any help!!

Jon

I need help bad people. I have a 1995 Saturn SL1 SOHC. If anyone has
suggestions please let me know. I have to get this car inspected. I keep
failing the low / high idle speed test. The HC limit is 220 and my car is
anywhere from 300 - 500 on the low speed test. It gets better on the high speed part, but it's right at the limit of 220. It's been through 3 times now with my numbers getting better, but there's still an obvious problem. It's definitely still running too rich. I did a basic tune up changing the air filter, pcv valve, plugs, wires, oil & filter. I noticed the coil pack electrodes were pretty corroded if that might be a problem? I hooked it up to the scan tool I have, a Mac Determinator which lists all types of things I don't really understand. Maybe someone could tell me what I need to look for # wise on the scan tool to determine where my fault lies. I have a decent multimeter that I think can test alot of the parts, I just don't know what to test or where to start. Would a manual list the values I I need to determine if parts are good or bad? Thanks in advance for any help!!

Jon

JON,

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THE NUMBERS CAME DOWN BUT NOT ENOUGH. HAD MECH. LOOK AT IT. HAD TO GET NEW CATH. CONVERTER. PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS. HOWEVER IT IS NOW A MONTH AND HALF LATER AND I NEED ANOTHER OIL CHANGE (OIL IS ALMOST BLACK) AND THE CONVERTER IS RUNNING HOT (BURNING). WOULD GREATLY APPRICIATE IT IF ANYONE COULD TELL ME WHAT MAY BE CAUSING THAT.



JON

HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH MY '95. TURNED OUT TO CATH. CONVERTER. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. NOW A MONTH AND A HALF LATER I NEED ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND THE NEW CONVERTER IS BURNING. DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF ANYONE COULD GIVE THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE

if the coils are very dirty cleaning them may help, be sure the plugs are gapped to .040, and don't use platium. be sure the PVC is OEM, and if the ECTS is still orginal, replace it ( it was redesign a few years ago) a new O2 may also help

a member named luke over at saturnfans.com (who lives in californa, the emissions capitol of the world) has gone to quite the extreme in figuring out why his 95' failed. here are a few of his results:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=36077

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=35630

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=36081

saturns are pretty simple as far as emissions go. as long as you check all of the basic stuff: ignition system, ECT sensor, EGR system, O2 sensor, things like that, and your car is in good running condition, if you fail, 9 times out of 10, you need a cat. just the way they are.

I will repeat this post here to confirm one of the sensors to check.
Engine coolant sensor can cause rich mixture. I know of a 94 that had plugs fouling and replacement of the temp sensor fixed it. They only cost about $7. Also easy to test. Cat may be failing for a reason. I guess that also whatl I am saying here.

I had the same problem with my 95 sl2. Was running rich and eating cat converters. It was actually a simple fix. I needed a new temperature sensor. It was reading too cool. Actually, about 20-30 degrees too cool. This would cause the car to run too rich. Temperature on these engines is critical if you want them to run correctly. After the new sensor was installed, it does not eat cat converters anymore. Gets better gas mileage too.

Good Luck!