3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994) Learn more about the 3rd Generation Maxima here.

Passing Smog

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-01-2009, 11:32 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
plaman88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 112
Passing Smog

I searched and I can't get my VG30 to pass smog! First time I had 134 vs the needed 120 on my HC levels. Next I tried to get the car warmed up really well and got 131 vs 120 but I still need less! Everything else passes fine and I'm fresh off a tune-up and oil change. What am I missing!?

Last edited by plaman88; 04-01-2009 at 11:37 AM.
plaman88 is offline  
Old 04-01-2009, 11:40 AM
  #2  
Banned
 
1993-VG30E-GXE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,159
Seafoam
1993-VG30E-GXE is offline  
Old 04-01-2009, 12:13 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
plaman88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 112
Does that fix HC levels or are you just padding your post count?
plaman88 is offline  
Old 04-01-2009, 12:39 PM
  #4  
Banned
 
1993-VG30E-GXE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,159
All I know is mine failed once, then I did the seafoam into my gas tank, and then I re-tested and I passed. I'm not 100% certain though it was retested on the exact same machine though.
1993-VG30E-GXE is offline  
Old 04-01-2009, 01:17 PM
  #5  
Call me Wookiee Goldberg
iTrader: (8)
 
CapedCadaver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central NC
Posts: 43,324
Originally Posted by plaman88
I searched and I can't get my VG30 to pass smog! First time I had 134 vs the needed 120 on my HC levels. Next I tried to get the car warmed up really well and got 131 vs 120 but I still need less! Everything else passes fine and I'm fresh off a tune-up and oil change. What am I missing!?
check your ECU's codes to see if anything is causing a 'phantom' check-engine light. the lights on our cars basically never light up when there's a problem, but it'll still store codes. I don't know what causes high HC levels but maybe your o2 sensor or coolant temp sensor or something could be bad (or bad wiring like i had), causing it to run rich, etc.
CapedCadaver is offline  
Old 04-01-2009, 01:55 PM
  #6  
LvR
Senior Member
 
LvR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Pretoria - South Africa
Posts: 1,205
High HC implies unburnt fuel

Caused by:

Timing
Ignition system - plugs/leads/cap/rotor
Fuel metering system - ECT/O2/MAF/EGR/FPR/Injectors/ECU.
Engine condition - blowby/intake and TB gunk due to PCV

Basic maintenance/tuneup required
LvR is offline  
Old 04-01-2009, 04:43 PM
  #7  
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
internetautomar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Skokie (look it up)
Posts: 19,760
a bottle of rubbing alcohol (70% alcohol by volume) in the tank does wonders for high HC
internetautomar is offline  
Old 04-03-2009, 10:07 PM
  #8  
Member
 
OnTheRoad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by CapedCadaver
check your ECU's codes to see if anything is causing a 'phantom' check-engine light. the lights on our cars basically never light up when there's a problem, but it'll still store codes. I don't know what causes high HC levels but maybe your o2 sensor or coolant temp sensor or something could be bad (or bad wiring like i had), causing it to run rich, etc.
How do you access the codes? I got the thing to flash the 5 green and red LED sequence, but could get it to do much more. EF & EC40 of the service manual. I could find a plug location for an external scanner.
OnTheRoad is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hez8813
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
11
03-12-2020 12:06 AM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
06-06-2017 02:01 PM
09maxshawn11
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
5
09-30-2015 10:28 AM
Jay556
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
5
09-12-2015 05:50 PM



Quick Reply: Passing Smog



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:22 PM.