medic

So I did a search and the only thing I found was to make sure you take off the y-pipe, intakes, etc off and to warm up the car for 45 minutes at highway speeds before taking the test.

Well my 93 SE is all stock an last time (2 years ago) I was kinda marginal when I took the test. Should I get an oil change (it's about time anyway) before, clean the air filter, run a different grade/brand gas?

Btw, this is a CA "hug a tree" smog check.

Bman

Depending on what kind of emission the car is too high on, I've found throwing in a 500mL bottle of rubbing alcohol or methyl hydrate can help my old beaters pass. Not 100% sure anymore, but I think it improves NOx by burning cooler. Can't remember...

But don't run too much alcohol in the tank for too long - it's bad for rubber seals. Mix it with like a 1/4 tank premium (or a alcohol-blended gas to help), then top it off after the test. 10% alcohol or something is safe and is what the alcohol-blended gases top out at.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

i dunno man...it might damage pump or injectors.

try this stuff call "gurantee to pass" company called CRC makes it

Bman

True enough I wouldn't do it to my Max, but that's because I really care about it and would fix the damn problem!

More conventional advice: give it a tune up and change the filters

davis4005

Use some premium gas and an additive that will make it pass. Also make sure the car is really warm before you take it in I'm sure you already knew that. If it doesn't pass again it could be a number of things, fuel injectors, temp sensor, etc.

medic

It was high on the HC level at 25mph.

I got a tune up at 90K and the car only has about 98.3K on it now. The last smog check was done about 3K before the tune-up.

Hopefuly, I was just marginal last time becasue I was so close to needing a tune up.

Thanks for the input.