my 1992 Max SE failed smog. Is there anything I can check or adjust to help it pass?
Thanks...Matt

 

sorry, I think its funny how almost everyone with a max is named matt....
there are 2 others on here as well, and my name is Matt too....sorry, good luck with your smog

 

What part of the test did it fail? What was over the limits?

 

isopropyl alchohol.

 

If it failed NOx, then some part of the EGR system is broken (unless you barely failed in which case you might have carbon buildup but I doubt it). If you failed HCs and CO, then isoprop might work, or you might need to test your cat and/or make sure your car isn't running rich. A tuneup might help. Giving us some specs on the test run would help alot.

 

This may sound crazy... I just failed my smog test too.. High NOX... EGR wasnt working (bad coolant temp sensor). Fixed that and NOX got worse??? Timing was too advanced ??? Heres the crazy part. Im in the same city. I thought I had the only VE. Damn

 

Std tuneup first:
- gas, air filters replacement
- spark plugs, wires, distr. cap/rotor replacement
- all wiring connectors cleaned, ctrl tubing checked for brittled ends, leaks
- idle circuit [stepper motor assy] cleaning from carbon accumulation
- If problem still cont, TPS Throttle pos sensor replacement (even new ones give problems...).

If problem persist after these, ECU diagnostics have now at least the possibility to give out the right problem code.

 

Hey guys,

can you post what the numbers was reported for the smog test so we can see what wrong,

because my max pass the smog test without any problem,

and i live in the city of Dana point, CA

here the number for my smog test with the max and ave allowed for passing emissions vehicles in the state of ca,

HC(ppm)

15 mph: max: 114 ave: 31
25 mph: max: 88 ave: 20

CO(%)

15 mph: max: 0.73 ave: 0.10
25 mph: max: 0.61 ave: 0.09

NO(PPM)

15 mph: max: 785 ave: 237
25 mph: max: 724 ave: 199

note: max stand for maximum allowed emissions and
ave stand for average emissions for passing vehicles

both three rows are the numbers that you want to be at or below those number in order to pass the smog test in ca,

 

Read the stickies guys.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=128490

look at post #9.

 

Ave I think is what your car averaged. at least that's how it works around here.

 

max is maximum allowed to pass.. ave is what your car averaged during the test period.

 

15mph: HC's, max allowed 112...mine were 236. CO's..max allowed 0.72...mine were 0.67...NO (PPM)...max allowed 778, mine were 2031.

25 mph: HC's...max allowed 86, mine were 86. CO's...max alllowed 0.60...mine were 0.20 NO (PPM) max allowed 717, mine were 323.

Matt

 

Buy a new EGR valve... run some seafoam through it... change the oil... then put a new filter and plugs on it... maybe even the fuel filter

I just did all these last month and passed emissions in my VE 5spd. Last year I failed emissions HORRIBLY three times and just ended up getting a sticker from a shady shop. I'm sure the new EGR valve did the most good

 

Or you can try to clean out your EGR. Check CraigB's site for info on how to do it.

 

I tried that before my 2nd attempt last year. After cleaning it, it helped the low speed run but the high speed results were actually worse for some reason

You're right though definitely try cleaning it before buying a new one