Help, looking for emissions experts!!!

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Well, finally throwing in the towel and giving up. I can't find the source of an air leak causing the passenger side to dump extra fuel to compensate for false lean condition. I'll put the headers back on then install new X-pipe and replace the B&B mufflers with Dynomax Ultra-flo and new tips. I decided not to extend on this tour so only a year and a half remaining so forget about trying to get the car registered at this point. I would continue, but even if I can get it to run as best as possible, it still might not even pass emissions with the strict rules here. Oh well, 1 year of trying is enough. Thanks for all the help and tips!

Sorry to hear that. I knew before you made the move (based on my 10yrs of trips to Japan) that you'd have a rough time of it. Even local cars have trouble even after 30k miles. A friend there (native) told me of his troubles with his vintage sports car. What a nightmare.

A year and a half will go quickly..... Just get her all ready for state side driving in the mean time.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by LT5-Lee

Hello Craig,

I was reading through your trials & tribulations, which BTW, made me "kind of" glad for the only time mine is still a bone stocker.

Anyway, you mentioned an SES light, chugging / surging and a vacuum leak. Is there any chance one of the two MAP sensors might be slightly unplugged, leaking or structurally cracked? It might just get enough vacuum to not throw a specific fault for it?

My '91 felt like riding a 3 legged dog once all because the 4 prong electrical plug was not seated that extra 1/8" with a good snap of the locking tab. It ran fine until I got up to pulling a little G's and went nuts. I originally squeezed the hell out of it so there was just no way it was not seated, WRONG. The green ribbed seal around the weather pack plug rolled over and blocked it.

It was a happy fix for me, maybe you too can have a .... Happy Ending..lol.

Lee

Hello Lee,

Thanks and yes, I think the mistake was putting in the cams and I did not know at the time I was moving to Japan. That sure did complicate things, but love it and would not want to live without them now. I can't remember specifics, but I think the light came on when I had TPS failure and resolved it. I'll check the map sensors, but I think they were good to go. The car runs very strong and no issues even at WOT so not sure what the heck is going on.

Thanks again,
Craig

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by scottfab

Sorry to hear that. I knew before you made the move (based on my 10yrs of trips to Japan) that you'd have a rough time of it. Even local cars have trouble even after 30k miles. A friend there (native) told me of his troubles with his vintage sports car. What a nightmare.

A year and a half will go quickly..... Just get her all ready for state side driving in the mean time.

Thanks for your thoughts! Yeah, I had no idea what I was up against even though I heard about it and so much lost in translation so I could not get good info, but now I know. If you have a car older than 1976 then no emissions testing. I wish I still had my 1968 Camaro Z/28..........I really do.

Yes, I'm just waiting to go back to Hawaii or otherwise so I can drive it when I want to. Depending on if I go to upper 48 and a state with emissions I'll deal with that then.

[carter200]

Craig,
I have a spare room and NO emissions here. In a year and 1/2 you can look back on this and laugh. I agree fully on the 68 Z-28.........

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by carter200

Craig,
I have a spare room and NO emissions here. In a year and 1/2 you can look back on this and laugh. I agree fully on the 68 Z-28.........

Thanks Carter. Yeah, I have to think about it because for the price of a home in Hawaii, I can buy 3 or 4 in some parts of Texas.. You were smart and kept your classic Mustang..................

[Scrrem]

Craig, can't believe you can't get her to pass....so that means what? You just tuck your car in the garage in Japan until your tour is over?
Rich

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Scrrem

Craig, can't believe you can't get her to pass....so that means what? You just tuck your car in the garage in Japan until your tour is over?
Rich

Rich,
Thanks for your thougths and concern. I don't know if I can pass or not and just based on what I am being told by the way the car is running and issues that are causing some type of air leak throwing off the O2 on the right side. I can still drive the car periodically with 3 day temp plates that are issues to repair the car as I have been doing. Questionably illegal to just use the car for joy riding or going to car shows and drag races. It identified to and from as well as what major highway being used. I'm not sure how far off I would be right now if I drove the 3 hours to test, but if not running optimal I don't stand a chance and not even sure if running what was thought to be perfect if it would pass. The first test was way off. The cams only complicate the matter and if stock cars can't or barely pass, I'm not sure what makes me think I could....but I wanted to try.

There is such a long story to all this should have and could have that I won't try to explain and all the lost in translation along the way, not being able to get a straight answer from anyone. Everytime you call the emissions place you get a different answer and all the shops with specialist have a different answer too. Just the most frustration experience of my life so decided to give up already. I'll explain more one day over a beer when we meet in Hawaii again or if I come to the D.C. area again soon. Take care and Aloha! Craig

[WB9MCW]

Major Bummer Craig I know you worked ever so hard to beat the Murphy on this one.

Like you say the real bugger is the language because it has all the details you need if one is going to get this done. Local advantage for sure.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by WB9MCW

Major Bummer Craig I know you worked ever so hard to beat the Murphy on this one.

Like you say the real bugger is the language because it has all the details you need if one is going to get this done. Local advantage for sure.

Thanks Big B. Things sometimes happen for a reason. Even with my wife and some Japanese co-workers as well as Corvette friends I made here, I still get "Lost in Translation" and can't get the straight answers to crack the code.

Timing is everything and now (as of yesterday) I might be moving back to Hawaii in a few months with a possible promotion so that changes everything too.

Craig