stupid smog in arizona

[indyjmk]

just got back from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, and the tell me that my little 258ci jeep is sick. its a sad day for my little jeep. My question is what would be the fix for an engine that when idling just dumps out unburnt fuel.

The readout they gave me says that when idling my little CJ is suppose to put out a reading of 220 ppm of HC, but it is not, it is actually putting out 1020 ppm. on the other side however the CO at idle is suppose to put out 1.2, but in actuality, it is at .12

Ive been told that it could be as simple as the spark pugs need replacing, all the way to the carb needs new jets. so before i pull the carb, i just would like some other ideas for this.

 

[Torxhead]

Not knowing if there are replaceable jets for your carb, it could be needing a float adjustment, new needle & seat assembly, or rebuilding the carb. Yes, it could be quite simple.

 

[csuengr]

Hmm... Usually, if the HC is high, the CO will be high also. So, sounds like it is REALLY rich. So a good tune is in order.

 

[Dirtdudeaz]

Hmm... Usually, if the HC is high, the CO will be high also. So, sounds like it is REALLY rich. So a good tune is in order.

Also, I was curious if you have a catalytic converter installed? This will help your HC a lot! It may raise the other categories slightly though. I just went through this whole ordeal. You can always raise the idle before you go, lean out the carb, and it would help the cause as well.

 

[rockhounder]

Ive been told that it could be as simple as the spark pugs need replacing, all the way to the carb needs new jets. so before i pull the carb, i just would like some other ideas for this.

indyjmk, I'm in the Phoenix AZ area and I had the same problem when I tried to get thru emissions with my 86 CJ in 2011. I had high HC like yours.

I had rebuilt the carb the year before so I figured it probably wasn't the problem. I hadn't done a good tuneup for a while so I thought I would start there.
I may have gone overboard on the tuneup but I did new:

Spark plug wires
Spark plugs
New Oil
Oil filter
Air Filter
Emission Control Duct (old one was cracked)
Cap/ rotor
Fresh gas

I checked the vacuum lines and replaced a couple of leakers.

I cleaned the air filter housing with soap and water. I cleaned out the hose that goes to the valve cover the same way.

I adjusted the carb and re-adjusted the timing

I then drove my CJ down the freeway for 10 min or so to get the cat nice and hot and then pulled into the testing station. I passed with flying colors. I then opted for the 2-year tags.

Also if you still don't get it thru emissions there is a special emissions testing station on 40th street south of the 202. They can help identify the problem and sometimes will tweak the settings to get you thru.

Good luck!

 

[rockhounder]

indyjmk, Did you get your jeep thru emissions yet?

 

[Petescj]

Bummer to here this. When I lived in Casa Grande ( almost 15 years ago ) you didnt even have state inspection there , more or less emissions.

 

[Dirtdudeaz]

Bummer to here this. When I lived in Casa Grande ( almost 15 years ago ) you didnt even have state inspection there , more or less emissions.

Phoenix and Tucson only have to do testing. Casa Grande I dont think falls in these.

 

[penster1]

Thank god Yuma does not test. I have all the original smog equipment that was taken off in 1980 just in case it changes. I gave the cat to my neighbor last week for his cj.

 

[the chief]

Here in CA getting your vehicles' emissions checked is mandatory every other year but contrary to popular belief, it's a county law, not State. I got my Jeep smogged upon purchase (mandatory with the State) then registered it to a non smog county. The form I filled out has a box to check if you'd like to keep the registration coming to your previous address (yes). Their computer recognizes the zip code to determine whether or not you get a letter of demand to smog. I even asked the DMV person if I could make up an address, she said "sure", I asked if they ever check on where the vehicle is located, she said "nope". A very candid and helpful clerk!
I've been doing this for years (about 30 counting my old Power Wagon). It sounds like AZ may be the same. I believe the whole "smog" thing is about generating revenue rather than saving the planet.
You're on the hook to get it smogged now because you received notification but once you pass I'd look into non smog counties.

 

[indyjmk]

OK ive taken what was suggested for repairs but still runs rich but now only under load.

-after a freeze plug blowing
-intake manifold gasket replacement being the wrong one
-replaced EGR valve gasket which leaked after i replaced it
-then replaced practically all smog hosing
I have no vacuum leaks ( as far as i can figure out).

i finally got to replacing everything suggested
Ive also replaced the plugs and wires, cap and rotor, and Ive rebuilt the carb. There is some improvement, it idles perfectly under the limit, but under load is a different story, it is running extremely rich.

every time i go to any shop for some help, they try to shove that guaranteed to pass" stuff instead of fixing the problem. The current big question is how do i lean out the carb when under load, it is the standard Charter carb which is dumping both burnt and unburnt fuel out the back of the jeep when driving, yet runs fine at idle.

 

[Torxhead]

Well. I have to ask, did you set the float level per instructions? If you look down into the carb when the engine is running can you see fuel dripping down inside. I hope you are not using the oem muffler btw.

 

[indyjmk]

Well. I have to ask, did you set the float level per instructions? If you look down into the carb when the engine is running can you see fuel dripping down inside. I hope you are not using the oem muffler btw.

yep set it per the instructions given in the kit, and are the oem mufflers really that bad? this jeep is practically stock other then a layer of rust on it.
you suggested i change the jets on the carburetor. which seems weird because if they where OK when stock, why would i need new ones?

 

[Torxhead]

If you have had a rich condition for some time, that can tend to clog up a muffler. Not sure if you have a cat, but they have gone to a straight thru version years ago, they go bad also. A bad distributor pick up coil can make your rig run like , as another possibility. To test that, you should get 600 to 800 ohms at the violet and orange wires coming out of the distributor.