1999 Nissan Maxima SE failed emissions !
#1
I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE with 32K miles and I took it for emissions and I failed! I live in Northern Virginia. The car has Stillen intake, downpipe, and catback exhaust.
It failed the 25 mph test where the Hydrocarbon level was 115 while the limit is 78. It passed the other tests.
Anyone have any ideas? Maybe its a misfiring plug or wires? The car was warmed up before it was taken for the test.
thanks in advance
KRIS
It failed the 25 mph test where the Hydrocarbon level was 115 while the limit is 78. It passed the other tests.
Anyone have any ideas? Maybe its a misfiring plug or wires? The car was warmed up before it was taken for the test.
thanks in advance
KRIS
#2
Was the engine HOT
not just warm...
I think hi HC readings are when you get a lot of unburned gas... such as when the engine is running rich during warmup or not just at proper operating temps (ie fully warmed up)... That was the job of the precats...
I think hi HC readings are when you get a lot of unburned gas... such as when the engine is running rich during warmup or not just at proper operating temps (ie fully warmed up)... That was the job of the precats...
#4
Re: Was the engine HOT
The engine wasnt hot since i drove the car for around 10 minutes. So do you think I should drive the car real hard and then take it again. It should then pass, dont you think?
Would I have to put back the old exhaust or look for arcing or a bad plug?
Thanks
Would I have to put back the old exhaust or look for arcing or a bad plug?
Thanks
#5
Not wires, not plugs.
Originally posted by kvsm3
I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE with 32K miles and I took it for emissions and I failed! I live in Northern Virginia. The car has Stillen intake, downpipe, and catback exhaust.
It failed the 25 mph test where the Hydrocarbon level was 115 while the limit is 78. It passed the other tests.
Anyone have any ideas? Maybe its a misfiring plug or wires? The car was warmed up before it was taken for the test.
thanks in advance
KRIS
I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE with 32K miles and I took it for emissions and I failed! I live in Northern Virginia. The car has Stillen intake, downpipe, and catback exhaust.
It failed the 25 mph test where the Hydrocarbon level was 115 while the limit is 78. It passed the other tests.
Anyone have any ideas? Maybe its a misfiring plug or wires? The car was warmed up before it was taken for the test.
thanks in advance
KRIS
The problem is not likely to be a misfiring plug. A misfire turns on the Malfunction Indicator Light (a/k/a Check Engine Light, Service Engine Soon light) and stores a Diagnostic Trouble Code to identify the misfiring cylinder.
#6
Always do you smog test after running the engine normal temps such as after some highway driving... It should improve the test results... I believe quite a few people here have passed the sniffer portion of the inspection with your setup...
#7
Moderator running more PSI than all the boosted Maximas... combined
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,345
The problem is your Y-pipe ->
Try run high octane gas and buy some those NOS octane booster. I'm running CAI, Stilen Y, no cat and Stillen cat back. I'm in Northen VA too. I'm not even going to bother with inspection and emission after hearing your experience. I was going to put my stock cat back on and give it a shot. Now, I'm just going through the under the table method.
[Edited by 1MAX2NV on 03-03-2001 at 09:02 PM]
[Edited by 1MAX2NV on 03-03-2001 at 09:02 PM]
#9
Re: The problem is your Y-pipe ->
Where in Northern VA do you live ? I still have the main cat and that part passed emissions. What I will do is run the car at highway speeds and then take it again. If it fails again, then I will put the entire stock exhaust system back.
Thanks
KRIS
Thanks
KRIS
#10
Re: Not wires, not plugs.
Daniel,
I just realized today that the car doesnt have spark plug wires. So if its not that or a misfiring plug, do you think it could be the the Y pipe that replaced the stock cats?
I still have the original exhaust system so I might end up replacing it back to original.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
KRIS
I just realized today that the car doesnt have spark plug wires. So if its not that or a misfiring plug, do you think it could be the the Y pipe that replaced the stock cats?
I still have the original exhaust system so I might end up replacing it back to original.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
KRIS
#11
You may have another mod in your near future
There are those that have passed by adding a Random Tech high-flow cat. According to their site they do better cleaning than stock cats.
Originally posted by kvsm3
I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE with 32K miles and I took it for emissions and I failed! I live in Northern Virginia. The car has Stillen intake, downpipe, and catback exhaust.
It failed the 25 mph test where the Hydrocarbon level was 115 while the limit is 78. It passed the other tests.
Anyone have any ideas? Maybe its a misfiring plug or wires? The car was warmed up before it was taken for the test.
thanks in advance
KRIS
I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE with 32K miles and I took it for emissions and I failed! I live in Northern Virginia. The car has Stillen intake, downpipe, and catback exhaust.
It failed the 25 mph test where the Hydrocarbon level was 115 while the limit is 78. It passed the other tests.
Anyone have any ideas? Maybe its a misfiring plug or wires? The car was warmed up before it was taken for the test.
thanks in advance
KRIS
#12
Emission test failure
Originally posted by kvsm3
Daniel,
I just realized today that the car doesnt have spark plug wires. So if its not that or a misfiring plug, do you think it could be the the Y pipe that replaced the stock cats?
I still have the original exhaust system so I might end up replacing it back to original.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
KRIS
Daniel,
I just realized today that the car doesnt have spark plug wires. So if its not that or a misfiring plug, do you think it could be the the Y pipe that replaced the stock cats?
I still have the original exhaust system so I might end up replacing it back to original.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
KRIS
- sticking fuel injectors
- bad fuel pressure regulator
- obstructed fuel return line
- "tired" oxygen sensors
- bad Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
- anything which prevents the Engine Control Module from going into Closed Loop Mode
(such as a stuck-open thermostat)
#13
Daniel has listed many possible causes of a rich mixture.
But since your car is a 99... it would seem a little unlikely for many of them to go bad so soon. Are you getting horrible gas mileage?
Did they have a recall of O2 sensors for the 99?
I still think it might be the luke warm engine....
But since your car is a 99... it would seem a little unlikely for many of them to go bad so soon. Are you getting horrible gas mileage?
Did they have a recall of O2 sensors for the 99?
I still think it might be the luke warm engine....
#15
Re: Emission test failure
Chunger,
I am getting great gas mileage and I only run premium gas.
I am getting 23 city and 30 hwy since I have a stick.
Well I will drive it for a long time , maybe half hour and then take it in. I hope it passes and if not, I will put the original exhaust system back.
Thanks for the tips
KRIS
I am getting great gas mileage and I only run premium gas.
I am getting 23 city and 30 hwy since I have a stick.
Well I will drive it for a long time , maybe half hour and then take it in. I hope it passes and if not, I will put the original exhaust system back.
Thanks for the tips
KRIS
#16
Dang...i'm jealous... i haven't see mileage figures like that for a long time... I think I have to replace my O2s soon...
I really think you'll be fine with the engine hot...
Let us know what happens...
I really think you'll be fine with the engine hot...
Let us know what happens...
#19
I just had emissions done on my car('97), im out in Utah and not sure if our levels are the same as yours because I didnt get a breakdown of how my car did, all I know is that it passed. Im running pretty much all the exhaust goodies including the random tech cat AND I drove my car for about 20 min at highway speeds before I brought it in.
#20
Emissions Results
I just had my emissions checked on Monday, in CT. I was comparing the results to my last inspection, which was in 2000. Here are the results. The allowable limits are in parenthesis:
2002
HC: 6.5 (78)
CO: 0 (.43)
NO: 418 (585)
2000
HC: 7.9 (76)
CO: 0 (.42)
NO: 2 (566)
I always drive the car 20-30 minutes (including on the highway) before the test. However, this latest test shows my levels of NO getting close to the limit. Any ideas? (btw, CT always does the 25 mph dyno test to get their results)
Eric
2002
HC: 6.5 (78)
CO: 0 (.43)
NO: 418 (585)
2000
HC: 7.9 (76)
CO: 0 (.42)
NO: 2 (566)
I always drive the car 20-30 minutes (including on the highway) before the test. However, this latest test shows my levels of NO getting close to the limit. Any ideas? (btw, CT always does the 25 mph dyno test to get their results)
Eric
#21
I recently passed my NYS inspection with a recently added Y pipe. My HC and CO levels went up and my NO actually went down, Odd. Also, my HC levels got very close to the limit.
Check the thread here;
Passed NYS Inspection
Check the thread here;
Passed NYS Inspection
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