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Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:05 pm
by Mihail Milkov
There are many knowledgeable people here so I thought I'd ask for advice on how to pass the smog test on the 1992 Ford Ranger that I bought a week ago. It's a 3.0 V6 with a 5-speed manual and an unknown number of miles (could be 130K or 230K and I was told it's engine has been replaced).
So far the only thing I've changed on it are the engine oil and the air filter. The spark plugs look clean.
Today I smogged it and didn't pass the emissions. Here are the results:
(Measured/Max)
At 15 mph, 1701 rpm
HC 242/127
CO 0.75/0.78
NO 2229/1031
At 25 mph, 1855 rpm
HC 81/108
CO 0.18/0.99
NO 857/891
I've typed in bold those readings that exceed the limit. Any guesses on what might be the problem(s)? Can anyone recommend me a smog test repair shop? I live in Moorpark.
Thanks for your help!
Mihail
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:01 pm
by Christos Adam
Hi Mihail
I think high CO usually means the wrong air/fuel mixture. In this case, it is running on the rich side.
I also read that when your CO level is high it will usually bring HC along with it.
I think it's very possible to be the O2 sensor.
here is what I found:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)*
CO is created when gasoline is not completely burned. High CO ( running rich ).
A list of common causes of CO related smog check failure:
1. Timing is not a big factor in CO production but check it anyway. Everything helps.
2. On older Carbureted vehicles you can have problems like a partially stuck choke plate.This is the moving steel plate on the top of your carburetor.
3. A leaking power valve on your carburetor can cause high CO and Smog Check failure.
4. A faulty carburetor can cause high CO and Smog Check failure.
5. A dirty air filter can cause high CO.
6. A common cause for high CO is a faulty Oxygen Sensor. This sensor tells the computer how to fine tune the air fuel ratio.
7. Other sensors like the M.A.P.sensor , C.T.S. sensor or the Air flow meter can also effect the CO level.
8. A faulty air injection system can cause high CO. This is the Smog pump and related components.
9. A faulty Catalytic Converter can cause high CO and Smog Check failure.
10. If your car has been running rich ( high CO ) you should change your oil after you get it repaired. When you have rich condition all the fuel cannot be burned, you start to saturate the motor oil with CO and HC. This in itself can also cause a rich condition.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:27 pm
by John Stimson
HC = hydrocarbons. If those are high then the fuel isn't being burned completely. Could be running rich. Could be a bad catalytic converter.
NO = nitrogen monoxide. Those come from breaking down the nitrogen in the air. Could be running hot. Could be a bad catalytic converter.
I am not an expert.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:50 pm
by Mihail Milkov
Thanks for the replies. Yesterday I replaced the spark plugs and the engine is running smoother now. Hope it helps with the emissions.
As for the oxygen sensor - wouldn't it cause the "check engine" light to turn on if it is not working properly? Currently the light is off and I don't think I have any fault codes - otherwise the smog technician would have flagged them.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:13 am
by Christos Adam
Mihail Milkov wrote:Thanks for the replies. Yesterday I replaced the spark plugs and the engine is running smoother now. Hope it helps with the emissions.
As for the oxygen sensor - wouldn't it cause the "check engine" light to turn on if it is not working properly? Currently the light is off and I don't think I have any fault codes - otherwise the smog technician would have flagged them.
I heard that when they get old they start malfunctioning w/o necessarily throwing error codes.
By the way do these things get bad if you leave them outside exposed in air?
I have a 02 sensor for the miata which has been laying in my garage for a couple of years now - when it was removed was working fine (it was 6 months old back then but I decided to go with a WB02). Anyway this is a generic sensor witch I had to put in the miata harness - if you feel that might be useful to you, you can have it for free (but again I'm not sure if it has been destroyed by been exposed to air and dust for so long).
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:43 am
by John Stimson
I wouldn't expect an oxygen sensor to go bad just sitting there. It's probably the heat and the exhaust gases that kill them.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:31 pm
by KJ Christopher
Christos Adam wrote:By the way do these things get bad if you leave them outside exposed in air?
It isn't exactly in a vacuum when installed on your car.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:59 pm
by Lily Liu
Check your timing but it's very likely that you need a new cat. How many miles on it and is it a CA cat?
It took us 5 tries until we passed the CRX. At least it's free until you pass. The time it passed we had put in a new cat. Oil change, timing, and O2 sensor replacement didn't make the car pass smog.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:48 pm
by Jayson Woodruff
Usually a poor tune is the start to the problems. Poor tune => unburnt fuel => over work/kill cat => smog fail. Then when you correct the tune, the cat is still roasted.
Jay W
Lily Liu wrote:Check your timing but it's very likely that you need a new cat. How many miles on it and is it a CA cat?
It took us 5 tries until we passed the CRX. At least it's free until you pass. The time it passed we had put in a new cat. Oil change, timing, and O2 sensor replacement didn't make the car pass smog.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:51 pm
by Christos Adam
KJ Christopher wrote:Christos Adam wrote:By the way do these things get bad if you leave them outside exposed in air?
It isn't exactly in a vacuum when installed on your car.
LOL
true KJ, it doesn't make any sense but I read this in the installation of my WBO2 ... I might be able to find the document to rescue some of my dignity
"I think it was saying not to be exposed to air when is not working" (which again doesn't make sense but anyways...
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:34 pm
by Bob Beamesderfer
1992 is OBD I, not sure if they plug into the diagnostic port on those. O2 sensor and cat are likely culprits. I'm pretty sure your truck has fuel injection, so none of the carburetor related issues apply.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:13 am
by Will Kalman
KJ Christopher wrote:It isn't exactly in a vacuum when installed on your car.
Unless
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:44 am
by Mihail Milkov
Thanks to all for the useful tips!
To answer some of the questions. It is port fuel injection, the mileage is probably 230 K (it shows 30 K on the odometer) and I was told that it's on it's second engine.
Oxygen sensors are 1-wire, 2-wire, 3-wire or 4-wire. Before I buy a replacement oxygen sensor, I guess I should look to see how many wires come out of the one that's already there?
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:20 am
by Jayson Woodruff
Mihail Milkov wrote: Before I buy a replacement oxygen sensor, I guess I should look to see how many wires come out of the one that's already there?
Yes, as they're very different in price too.
Jay W
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:24 pm
by Jeff Shyu
my 87 toy pickup had similar problem when i tried to smog it last.
shop was convinced it's a O2 sensor problem. turns out, exhaust leak at the header collector, that never got completely sealed when i had to replace the cat due to theft.
not saying that's what's going on with the ranger, just throwing it out there.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:09 pm
by Bob Pl
I had an 89 Bronco 2 v6 2.9l, very similar. Failing. New 02 sensor did squat.
New cat fixes all, mine was a double bubble (expensive) cat.
Maybe a cheaper aftermarket cat would clean it up.
or this, which I would have tried if I knew about it.
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/june2007/techtips.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Like the heat cycle on a MAF wire only on a BIGGER scale.
Have a fire extinguisher handy.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:32 pm
by Max Hayter
Bob Pl wrote:I had an 89 Bronco 2 v6 2.9l, very similar.
OJ - is that you?
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:43 pm
by Bob Pl
Max Hayter wrote:Bob Pl wrote:I had an 89 Bronco 2 v6 2.9l, very similar.
OJ - is that you?
If the cat don't fit, you must aquit (or fail smog).
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:12 pm
by Jayson Woodruff
Max Hayter wrote:Bob Pl wrote:I had an 89 Bronco 2 v6 2.9l, very similar.
OJ - is that you?
Come on you foreigner. OJs wasn't a '2'.
Jay W
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:08 pm
by Christos Adam
Hey guys, isn't a program sponsored from California for older vehicles that can't pass test?
If I recall correctly a friend of mine with an old volvo was telling me that if the repair is very expensive you pay a maximum of $500 and the rest will been paid by the city...
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 8:00 am
by Jeff Shyu
i think you have to go through quite a few hoops to qualify for that.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:22 pm
by Bob Beamesderfer
Jeff Shyu wrote:i think you have to go through quite a few hoops to qualify for that.
Need to take estimate and car to the BAR referee.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:00 pm
by Mihail Milkov
Bob Beamesderfer wrote:Jeff Shyu wrote:i think you have to go through quite a few hoops to qualify for that.
Need to take estimate and car to the BAR referee.
I just read on the BAR site that you don't qualify if the vehicle is undergoing a transfer of ownership, which is my case.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 11:50 pm
by Kristoffer Gjevre
Mihail Milkov wrote:...smog test on the 1992 Ford Ranger that I bought a week ago...
Mihail Milkov wrote:...
I just read on the BAR site that you don't qualify if the vehicle is undergoing a transfer of ownership, which is my case.
Not that this will help, but it seems like the seller should have provided the current smog certification, unless the you bought it from a close relative...
http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Smog Information
...
When a vehicle is more than four model years old, a seller must provide evidence of a current smog certification except when one of the following occurs:
* The transfer occurs between a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.
* A biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).
Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.
When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?
The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.
The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).
NOTE: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for a gasoline powered motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. (Determine the oldest-qualifying year model by subtracting three from the current year) the four or less model years old rule does not apply to diesel powered vehicles. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.
Re: Smog test - 1992 Ford Ranger
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:53 pm
by Arthur Grant
May be the reason it was up for sale.