vickumar
09-28-2011, 01:07 PM
Hey Guys, Wanted to share this update with you all in case there are others out there trying to pass their car on emissions/Smog/Aircare.
I purchased this Euro spec M635 locally but in an area where they do not require Aircare, so the PO had let it run pretty poor and dirty. This car had a Dinan chip and No cats or o2 sensors or anything emission control related, fully euro spec. It chugged gas, and your eyes would water if you stood next to it for too long.
Some said Ill never pass without cats, but this is my story...
3/29/11 Car Purchased, checked emissions that day. Mileage was terrible when i purchased it.
Driving HC 130ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 2.45% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 429ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 555ppm (372ppm MAX) - FAIL
Idle CO 6.14% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL
-Oil was old apparently, was running 5W30 synthetic. Changed oil to VR1 Dino 20W50 with flush, new spark plugs, changed VCG/Spark plug Gaskets. Found loose fuel line on Cold start injector leaking gas, replaced hose. Checked for vac leak, none found.
5/30/11 - Retest. 94 Octane fillup, full warmup.
Driving HC 152ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 3.36% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 368ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 456ppm (372ppm MAX) - FAIL
Idle CO 6.02% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL
-Not much difference, idle values down slightly. On closer look with my multimeter, found one bad spark plug wire to Cylinder 1. New wireset, new rotor and cap.
7/12/11 - Retest. 91 Octane (Ethanol Blended), full warmup.
Driving HC 164ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 3.55% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 309ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 339ppm (372ppm MAX) - PASS !!
Idle CO 5.70% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL
-Ok now we got somewhere, at least idle HC now passes and Idle CO is down a bit. But still overall Fail. This time I took apart the AFM to test, its in good working order (9V battery test), If you need help testing your AFM, msg me ill tell you what I did. Removed Dinan chip, replaced the Original stock chip. Car actually runs much better! Strange "performance" chip.
9/27/11 - Decided to take the car out for the day, figured i might as well test it too.
Driving HC 153ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 2.45% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 407ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 361ppm (372ppm MAX) - PASS
Idle CO 4.86% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL !!
-OK! Idle CO is close! Driving CO still a way off, but still failing. This is costing me $23 every time, retests arent free. Decided its time for drastic measures. So I let the fuel tank run to the red as low as possible. I filled up with 9 Liters of 94 Octane (Chevron) then added 2 Liters of Methyl Hydrate (Methanol). I overfilled the rear tires pressure to reduce rolling resistance. Methanol is also sold as "gas line antifreeze" but its cheaper when you buy it from napa. I also preferred the undyed clear pure stuff.
9/28/11 - Took it in the next day (TODAY) after warmup. The emissions techs said my car set off their CO alarms while it was idling inside! LOL This was not looking good so far, crossed my fingers.
Driving HC 99ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS !!
Driving CO 0.91% (1.29% MAX) - PASS !!
Driving NOx 404ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 325ppm (372ppm MAX) - PASS
Idle CO 3.16% (4.25% MAX) - PASS !!
Crazy drop! Methyl Hydrate works! YEAH BABY!!!!
Right after the test, I stopped at a gas station, and filled up with full tank of 94 octane to dilute any remaining methanol. Car still runs beautifully. My car now qualifies for Collector status and I will never have to deal with this again (the rule is that it has to pass ONCE when you applying). If I dont end up selling it to the original owner, but thats another thread/story and I may not let it go.
When I was researching this issue, there was a lot of doubt about how well this methanol works, some people claimed it didnt, others never posted final results. Some mechanics I talked to told me just to get the car hot, but the fact is my car does not have cats, there is nothing to get hot other than the engine! Well this should settle that issue. I dont think its a substitute for a proper tuneup, but it sure works if you are borderline. :buttrock
DISCLAIMER: By the way I assume no liability if you screw up your car or blow it up or injure yourself, kill your dog or someone else doing tanything I mentioned. I am only sharing my PERSONAL experience for entertainment purposes only. You assume all risk. ;)
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx68/vickumar/IMG_20110928_103402.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx68/vickumar/IMG_20110928_103231.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx68/vickumar/IMG_20110927_155318.jpg
I purchased this Euro spec M635 locally but in an area where they do not require Aircare, so the PO had let it run pretty poor and dirty. This car had a Dinan chip and No cats or o2 sensors or anything emission control related, fully euro spec. It chugged gas, and your eyes would water if you stood next to it for too long.
Some said Ill never pass without cats, but this is my story...
3/29/11 Car Purchased, checked emissions that day. Mileage was terrible when i purchased it.
Driving HC 130ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 2.45% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 429ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 555ppm (372ppm MAX) - FAIL
Idle CO 6.14% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL
-Oil was old apparently, was running 5W30 synthetic. Changed oil to VR1 Dino 20W50 with flush, new spark plugs, changed VCG/Spark plug Gaskets. Found loose fuel line on Cold start injector leaking gas, replaced hose. Checked for vac leak, none found.
5/30/11 - Retest. 94 Octane fillup, full warmup.
Driving HC 152ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 3.36% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 368ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 456ppm (372ppm MAX) - FAIL
Idle CO 6.02% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL
-Not much difference, idle values down slightly. On closer look with my multimeter, found one bad spark plug wire to Cylinder 1. New wireset, new rotor and cap.
7/12/11 - Retest. 91 Octane (Ethanol Blended), full warmup.
Driving HC 164ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 3.55% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 309ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 339ppm (372ppm MAX) - PASS !!
Idle CO 5.70% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL
-Ok now we got somewhere, at least idle HC now passes and Idle CO is down a bit. But still overall Fail. This time I took apart the AFM to test, its in good working order (9V battery test), If you need help testing your AFM, msg me ill tell you what I did. Removed Dinan chip, replaced the Original stock chip. Car actually runs much better! Strange "performance" chip.
9/27/11 - Decided to take the car out for the day, figured i might as well test it too.
Driving HC 153ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS
Driving CO 2.45% (1.29% MAX) - FAIL
Driving NOx 407ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 361ppm (372ppm MAX) - PASS
Idle CO 4.86% (4.25% MAX) - FAIL !!
-OK! Idle CO is close! Driving CO still a way off, but still failing. This is costing me $23 every time, retests arent free. Decided its time for drastic measures. So I let the fuel tank run to the red as low as possible. I filled up with 9 Liters of 94 Octane (Chevron) then added 2 Liters of Methyl Hydrate (Methanol). I overfilled the rear tires pressure to reduce rolling resistance. Methanol is also sold as "gas line antifreeze" but its cheaper when you buy it from napa. I also preferred the undyed clear pure stuff.
9/28/11 - Took it in the next day (TODAY) after warmup. The emissions techs said my car set off their CO alarms while it was idling inside! LOL This was not looking good so far, crossed my fingers.
Driving HC 99ppm (195ppm MAX) - PASS !!
Driving CO 0.91% (1.29% MAX) - PASS !!
Driving NOx 404ppm (1909 MAX) - PASS
Idle HC 325ppm (372ppm MAX) - PASS
Idle CO 3.16% (4.25% MAX) - PASS !!
Crazy drop! Methyl Hydrate works! YEAH BABY!!!!
Right after the test, I stopped at a gas station, and filled up with full tank of 94 octane to dilute any remaining methanol. Car still runs beautifully. My car now qualifies for Collector status and I will never have to deal with this again (the rule is that it has to pass ONCE when you applying). If I dont end up selling it to the original owner, but thats another thread/story and I may not let it go.
When I was researching this issue, there was a lot of doubt about how well this methanol works, some people claimed it didnt, others never posted final results. Some mechanics I talked to told me just to get the car hot, but the fact is my car does not have cats, there is nothing to get hot other than the engine! Well this should settle that issue. I dont think its a substitute for a proper tuneup, but it sure works if you are borderline. :buttrock
DISCLAIMER: By the way I assume no liability if you screw up your car or blow it up or injure yourself, kill your dog or someone else doing tanything I mentioned. I am only sharing my PERSONAL experience for entertainment purposes only. You assume all risk. ;)
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx68/vickumar/IMG_20110928_103402.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx68/vickumar/IMG_20110928_103231.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx68/vickumar/IMG_20110927_155318.jpg