Failed Inspection Again! - BMW Forum

nookatee · 07-13-2005, 12:52 PM

I've replaced the O2 sensor as well as the spark plugs and it STILL didn't pass inspection. All the mechanic said was "Needs a tune uppa sumthin'". Service lights coming on, so he said there couldn't be any fault codes. Where do I go from here?

Here are the actual numbers for the Massachusetts inspection:
reading limit
HC ppm @ idle: 0833 0220
CO % @ idle: 06.22 0.120
HC ppm @ 2500rpm: 0626 0220
CO % @ 2500rpm: 03.55 01.20

so...as you can see, the only thing that's remotely close is the CO % @ 2500rpm. I'll post the original numbers when i get a hold of them. Though, just from memory, I know the HC @ idle is HIGHER, the CO @ idle and HC @2500 are about the same, and the CO @ 2500 is LOWER.

93 325i · 07-13-2005, 01:14 PM

your cat could be shot. That is the only thing that makes sense at this point. Did you throw in Fuel injector cleaner before you went?

nookatee · 07-13-2005, 01:20 PM

no fuel injector cleaner. What about the fuel pressure regulator or MAF sensor, etc. etc. Is the Cat really the next step after an O2 sensor?

Is there a good way to check my cat? or any of the other parts that might be the culprit? I guess I may have to break down and bring it to a mechanic and say, it didn't pass inspection, what needs to be fixed?

Thanks for the help.

Ramy

93 325i · 07-13-2005, 01:51 PM

I think the MAF would throw a code right? Does your exhaust emit a sulfer smell randomly?

EDIT: I would throw a bottle of chevron techron in there before the next testing. Some of those FIC bottles guarentee a passed emissions, using one would certainly not hurt your chances..

nookatee · 07-13-2005, 02:22 PM

i wouldnt' say a sulfur smell, but it's been smelly. More like gas I guess.

93 325i · 07-13-2005, 02:46 PM

what's your mileage? your best bet may be to have a pro check it over. The cat is quite expensive and I wouldnt want you to replace it and then fail again.. It does make sense tho if your car is pushing 120K miles.

nookatee · 07-13-2005, 04:17 PM

well, the car's got about 112K. i'll probably take it into a mechanic, hopefully just get an estimate without having them actually do anything to find out what's wrong. I don't particularly want to replace my cat, but i definitely don't want to drop like a grand for a mechanic to put a new one in. ...rock and a hard place.
Thanks for the advice.
Ramy

BImmerN2B · 07-13-2005, 05:01 PM

if it's the cat, OEM will cost about a grand. But look at BMP design and they have one for about $329 or something like that. You may want to ask them if it's street legal though. What year is your car? did you pull codes after you failed?

nookatee · 07-13-2005, 05:04 PM

it's a 1993. the asshole mechanic didn't pull any codes because there weren't any service lights on.

nookatee · 08-21-2005, 01:47 AM

Another turn in the plot.

I took the car to the $tealer$hip for a diagnostic yesterday morning. The emissions still fails but is MUCH MUCH lower. Here's the read-out:
emission reading limit
HC @ idle 336 220
CO @ idle 3.89 1.20
HC @ 2.5K 184 220 <----PASS!!!
CO @ 2.5K 1.94 1.20

All I've changed since the first inspection is the spark plugs, the O2 sensor and the valve cover gasket. After going to the Dealership (the guy was actully pretty helpful in explaining stuff) I now know I have a leak in my vacuum lines. I know that's not an uncommon problem but..as usual, "any advice you might have is appreciated."

Ramy

this thread continued here:
http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/index.php...t=0#entry371354