I failed emissions today.
I passed emissions a year ago and 4 days later, I stored the car and didnt drive it for another year.I got the car out of storage and took it in for the smog test and it failed with lesser #s than this one.I was thinking it was bad gas for the car sitting for so long , so, I took a 1000 mile trips and filled the tank about 3 times.I also cleaned the intake, changed the CTS and added seafome in the tank.I did use carb cleaner to clean the intake and IAC valve.Does these #s look like it needs plugs and wires?The current plugs are 4 yrs old and about 30 k miles on them.

 

25/25 test Reading Allowed 50/15 test Allowed Result
Reading Reading
HC ppm 234 108 Failed 205 112 Fail

CO % 3.19 0.60 Failed 4.57 0.62 Fail
NOx ppm 207 751 passed 126 829 Pass
RPM 1190 2500 max 1239 2500 Max
CO+CO2% 1649 6.0 min 16.77 6.0 Min
Fuel cap 1 test Passed


Catalystic Converter Passed

 

Vacuum leaks can fail HC portion and https://www.smogtips.com/failed-high...onoxide-co.cfm can show why co fails

 

I am still doing some research. One guy had similar #s and he changed the CTS and the O2 sensors before the cat.CTS was chnaged but I ma need to use OEM.Research skills, I am telling you!I might even add a plug change.Are you guys still using Sewell Lexus for your oem parts or anyone else cheaper?

 

I am leaning more towards CTS , since it came from Advanced Auto parts and not OEM.Vacuum leak?Possibly.I will spray carb cleaner around the tubes and see if the car gets a hicup.I will also definitely do the O2 sensors.The question is which sensors?I need a test procedure for these types of sensors on our cars.K and N air filter has been cleaned and re installed , so I will rule that out.

 

Any Seafoam remaining in tank during test?

 

That will fail it? I had some in my tank when it passed last year

 

Unsure.

However Seafoam doesn't combust like gasoline, so perhaps the emissions test picks up on that.

 

That seafoam in the tank was gone 2 full tanks ago.I had something else.I think it was that chemtool etc that I used in sucking it into the intake to clean it.I put 2 bottles into the tank.wow.That makes me think

 

One quick thing, carb cleaner is inappropriate for the MAF sensor on these cars. They use some weird special metal in the MAF sensor wire that reacts with carb cleaner. Use electronic-safe cleaner, I've used CRC brand and had no problems. There are some threads about this one here.

 

Thats true , but when you let the engine suck seafome or chemtool through the intake plenum/brake booster, that MAS sensor is no where near there.

 

You probably saw my post about failing the smog test spectacularly (3 times) and then passing it after I changed the coolant temp sensor. I recommend you do the same, because you have high HC - obviously rich mixture and CTS would be prime suspect (and cheapest to raplace). You can buy one at autozone or O'Reilly today and change it in 5 minutes, and then order OEM and change it again later (if you need your car urgently).
Also your CO is high, but that could be that your cats are "tired" because you have almost 400k miles on your car - congrats!
I've seen people manage to clear up their cats using some sort of solvent, but since mine are perfect I hope never to have to do that. Who knows what else it might ruin. OTher than that, you could just take it out to a highway and push it for about 20 minutes so that cats heat up and work better, and then have them do the smog immediately, without waiting.

 

Observed on my 99 significantly increased time to reach operating temperature...and even then the temperature did not consistently achieve that.

If original thermostat, then suggest immediate replacement with OEM.

Here's why....see:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...hermostat.html

 

I have done many research.Cats dont go bad on these cars.Before the 2 nd test fail, I changed the CTS.Maybe I need OEM becasue I bought it from Advanced auto parts for about $29.CO could be the oxygen sensors.I am changing both in 2 weeks.I am not in a hurry
rs