hey everyone newbie please help!!

[jett-n-along]

I own a 1990 toyota camry 4 cyl. The problem is, is that it wont pass the echeck test in Ohio. Now a short history.. The car is a great little car. However it sit for a good 5 months without being started. I know my bad.. It has 191000 miles on it and going strong. just got it tuned new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Now before the tune up the nitrous oxide was too high and wont pass the echeck. But after the tune up the nitrous oxide was even higher. Can someone please help me to figure out this problem???? Ohio will allow me 2 temp tags to fix it.. Thanks for your help in advance.. happy Thanksgiving!!!! Aj

[typesix]

Here in Massachusetts we now use a dynamometer with the tailpipe sniffer but my 1989 4 cyl Camry has never failed emissions and has always passed easily. Is the air filter clean? Take it out and put it up to a light bulb. Light should easily shine thru it. Another thing is to have an oil change before the test as dirty oil can drive up the emissions. Make sure the car is hot before the test.

[jett-n-along]

HUmmm the oil was clean.. Not sure about the filter though ill check that.. I figured the mechanic did... But its is only the nitrous oxide that failed. all others was fine.. this is the first time this car hasnt passed so were at a loss I think it has alot to do with it sitting a long time.. maybe a fuel system flush would work??? Could stale gas cause this???? But weve been through lots of tanks since we brought it out.. thanks Aj

[don24mac]

Both the EGR valve and the catalytic converter can increase nitrous oxides if they aren't working properly. Check the EGR valve to see if it's functioning when the car is warmed up. If it's stuck closed, which it could be from sitting for a few months, the nitrous oxides will be high.

The catalytic converter is probably OK as long as leaded gas hasn't been put in the tank. Try running the car up a long steep hill, or out on the freeway for a while to thoroughly heat up the catalytic converter. That sould be all it needs.

Be sure your car is thoroughly warmed up when it has it's emisions tested. During test make sure air conditioner, and anything else that draws power is turned off.

The 90 Camry is a great car. Loved mine.

[jett-n-along]

THANK YOU!!!!!! Did some reading and i agree with you as did my mechanic.. hopefully it can be cleaned other then replaced... Thanks again your a big help...jett-n

[bullitt5048]

wow my camry passed smog here in california on 306,000 miles god damn it i love that car to bad it died tongiht read my last post

[jsinton]

Ok, so what happened....? Did you pass emissions?

[boytiti]

Originally Posted by jett-n-along

I own a 1990 toyota camry 4 cyl. The problem is, is that it wont pass the echeck test in Ohio. Now a short history.. The car is a great little car. However it sit for a good 5 months without being started. I know my bad.. It has 191000 miles on it and going strong. just got it tuned new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Now before the tune up the nitrous oxide was too high and wont pass the echeck. But after the tune up the nitrous oxide was even higher. Can someone please help me to figure out this problem???? Ohio will allow me 2 temp tags to fix it.. Thanks for your help in advance.. happy Thanksgiving!!!! Aj

just go to a muffler shop and have your catalytic conventer replaced (i know its expensive). im pretty sure your nox readings willl down to almost zero.

also check all the vacuum hoses. make sure hoses are not cracked at the end. vacuum leaks usually from cracked vacuum hose causes engine to run lean and lean air/fuel ratio causes high nox.

if would be nice also to clean your EGR valve with a coat hanger to take the carbon out. replace your fuel filter and oil change your car.

[jett-n-along]

sorry everyone.. that was rude of me not to reply.....i had the cat. conv.
checked. it was fine. needs fuel filter and egr cleaned. i havent been able to do it.. the weather is bad here.. I will certainly keep you all informed.. i love that car... so it will get done. thanks again....

[nipsirc]

Trust me, the CATalytic converter is the culprit.

Change it and you would pass with flying colors.

The cat gets old and brittle and dispenses the porous parts that make up the NitOxide.

Like the other member said, you would have 0 emission problem after you change the CAT

[jsinton]

Just because you passed emissions for CO and Hydrocarbons, don't assume your CAT is not toast. I got the acid tests to prove how good the CAT is.

When I had my Maryland emissions test done with NO innards in the CAT (just straight pipe) I scored about 30% higher then the Maryland State's acceptable levels in NO2, CO2, and Hydrocarbons respectively. I was forced to replace my CAT. When I did replace it, it ran better, and there was no loss of power, and I probably got better gas mileage. When I had the emissions test done, the CAT was a whopping 99.9% effective in NO2, 95% effective in CO2, and 90% in hydrocarbons in respect to pollution removal. I never would have believed it would be so effective. So that's what a new CAT will do in a well-tuned car (actually it has a half-dead cylinder!)

So, if you were getting readings of near state allowable levels in Hydrocarbons and CO, then I would say CAT is shot.

Fuel filter probably has nothing to do with it. Cleaning your EGR will certainly help if it won't idle smoothly, but if you want to be sure about your emissions... CAT.

[jett-n-along]

Quick update........Thank you for replying. ive learned alot...however, since then. I think the cooling system is bad(not a mechanic) the cars getting a little expensive now to fix. We have decided to sell the car or part it out..if anyone is interested. The motor is real good. New wires,plugs,cap,rotor. New front brakes,rotors. The body is real good for its age. Some dents and dings.very little rust(southern car). please email me if interested. [email protected]..