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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 6:45:45 AM

pahunkboy

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^ engine light? I have a Lumina that said light has been on the last 6 years.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 7:22:31 AM

Termyn8or

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"Be strong, take that car behind the barn, and put it out of its misery. "

LOL

Speaking of that, there have been a couple in my sphere of people that have been dispatched for flunking on nitrous. I was involved in one and we changed EVERYTHING except the injectors. I mean everything that could possibly affect emissions. This was I think an 87 Pontiac 6000 wagon with a 3.1.

It was in closed loop and ran fine. Even put a new cat on the thing (although I fail to see what the cat has to do with nitrous). Of course the EGR, plugs and wires. The thing had a riser tube to feed the EGR and that was checked, no problem there.

It was kind of a junker, but my mechanic liked it because his tools fit in the back and were fairly secure. By my mechanic I mean I don't do much wrenching anymore. We have an agreement, I get my work done cheap and he gets other things, like diagnostic services and special things needed for other work. Plus I got the books on most of the cars we've owned. Used to be we didn't need no stinkin' books, but now wiring diagrams are very useful.

Anyway, this friggin NOX shit is ridiculous. I understand why an EGR valve is a good thing for a car even not related to emissions like the PCV, but dammit. We even considered that it maybe jumped time, which would cause high (effective) compression and low vacuum, but since they use a tensioner now once they jump it won't even run. I know it wouldn't read low vacuum because the ECM would compensate, masking the problem, but still......

It drove us nucking futs. Actually I had to school him on fuel additives - don't use them. He said he hadn't on that car. But he did like the car - shitcan or not. Nobody would steal it or even think there was a couple grand worth of tools in it.

What really pisses me off is that I failed. He completely rebuilt the front end of my Buick using parts from a spare Olds, probably a grand worth of labor, I am talking struts, springs and everything. So for that I bought the parts and tried to get it to pass. What he was doing was signing it back and forth to his olady and running on temp tags. That is a bit expensive. However the state figured it out and refused to issue any more temp tags. He did this for over a year up to that point.

The only thing I can figure - in retrospect - is maybe it was injectors and there was too much disparity between the rich and lean cylinders. Since HC and CO were nice and low, the only thing I can figure is maybe it was running the cat too hot and the NOX was produced IN the cat. Unfortunately they won't test a car without a cat, so we have no way of knowing.

The car's been gone for a couple of years but it still sticks in my craw. What the hell could cause high NOX other than the usual ?

T^T

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 7:55:26 AM

LafayetteLady

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Sounds like a great car for "pimp my ride." Is tha show even still on? They could create a really cool "Dommobile" for you. Think of the possibilities! Special toy storage, bondage apparatus built into the car (a retractable St. Andrew's Cross on that convertible roof). Instead of the typical "fasten your seatbelt" beep it could say, "on your knees bitch," or, "I'm here to serve you Sir."

I should probably stay away of coffee, lol.

There must still be some show on like that. Get your car fixed and restored for free..

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 3:16:23 PM

areallivehuman

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Term, if you want my best guess, passage between EGR and intake chamber plugged with carbon. EGR valve opens but exhaust gas can't get to vacuum . Fairly common on 3.1s
Des, VW's are notorious for their emission problems, I just returned to dealership life after 16 years running an independent shop, I would shudder when one came through the door especially for inspection. But they are almost bulletproof otherwise.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 5:56:38 PM

DesFIP

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This one is ten years old and absolutely a dream to drive, still. Clearing the codes once a year is a small price to pay. Luckily I'm in a rural county where we don't have to pass emissions because I have no idea if it would pass. And I'm told that with the multiple sensors, if you replace one, expect the next one down the line to soon do the same thing.

The other annoyance is that the alarm that says the door is open or the lights are on needs changing and you have to take apart the door panel and remove the window to access it. The part's a couple of hundred dollars and the labor even more. I'm doing without it and checking the lights instead.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 6:23:36 PM

pahunkboy

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^ we dont have emissions in the county that I live.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/19/2011 11:59:49 PM

DeviantlyD

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Sounds like a great car for "pimp my ride." Is tha show even still on? They could create a really cool "Dommobile" for you. Think of the possibilities! Special toy storage, bondage apparatus built into the car (a retractable St. Andrew's Cross on that convertible roof). Instead of the typical "fasten your seatbelt" beep it could say, "on your knees bitch," or, "I'm here to serve you Sir."

I should probably stay away of coffee, lol.

There must still be some show on like that. Get your car fixed and restored for free..

Coffee? Sure, sure, blame it on the coffee! :D

That would involve me being on t.v. and that ain't happenin' anytime soon.

I haven't heard of the show you're talking about, but I have seen Overhaulin' on TLC. But that requires the "punk'd" person to be a car enthusiast and there is no way I can fake that. I know next to nothing about cars! Besides. I bought another used car. I got an awesome deal too, so I'm happy. :)

< Message edited by DeviantlyD -- 4/20/2011 12:01:53 AM >

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 12:59:46 AM

Termyn8or

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"Term, if you want my best guess, passage between EGR and intake chamber plugged with carbon"

That's what I asked for, thanks. Sounds like a PITA to fix. Probably have to pull the plenum at least and you know how those injectors are. They dangle around and you shake them down. Unless you want to do it the hard way LOL. In fact the EGR is on the plenum IIRC.

T'was interesting my 4.3 Vortec. The EGR kept getting clogged open. There was that much carbon. Eventually we went to a head shop and got a stainless steel hooka screen (no shit) and I siliconed it to the gasket. Never had a problem since, at least with that. (and it passed)

Anyway, you have satisfied my curiousity. Like I said we tried almost everything.

You know, now that I think of it, when they used to only test for HC and CO, people cheated all the time using various alcohols etc. and even some mild oxygenators. Maybe N2O is a way they can tell ? They say you don't want nitous oxide in the air but I don't believe everything. Some of these additives cheat (!) but if they don't keep peak combustion temperature down, here come the nitous police.

Possible ?

T^T

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 2:33:43 AM

areallivehuman

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Term, not bad to fix, if you took the EGR off you could shove a piece of coat hager through, it's a little work, there are a couple of bends. Too bad about your 4.3 fix, someone actually patented that screen idea and sold it to the aftermarket.
Des, you actually are passing a "plug and play" emissions test each time your car is inspected. From 1996 and up, all cars are capable of self testing their emission systems. If something goes awry, light comes on. During insp, the state computer is plugged into your car, and looks at the "monitors", to see if your car has tested and passed at least 7 of the 8 self tests. (6 out of 8 for cars older than 2001).
Pahunkboy, even though there is no emission testing where you live, if your check engine light is on, you are polluting the atmosphere. Aren't you ashamed?

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 8:57:47 AM

Termyn8or

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I didn't think I could get away without pulling the plenum. Actually he is a coathanger expert and may have tried that, I'll have to ask him.

"Too bad about your 4.3 fix, someone actually patented that screen idea and sold it to the aftermarket. "

Not again ! I'm serious, this has happened before. In my next life I need a relative who is a patent attorney. Several times I have come up with small specialized tests jigs etc., only to see something that does the exact same thing in a trade magazine the next year.

Bacl later, got comp'ny.

T^T

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 4:07:52 PM

Muttling

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quote:

ORIGINAL: areallivehuman
if your check engine light is on, you are polluting the atmosphere. Aren't you ashamed?

I pollute the atmosphere on a regular basis with no shame......I blame it on the dog.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 5:06:56 PM

Termyn8or

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Midasize it !

T^T

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 5:54:54 PM

DesFIP

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I know, you can fail one thing. But emissions here are minor in comparison to down on Long Island. They're serious down there.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/20/2011 7:01:28 PM

pahunkboy

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Pahunkboy, even though there is no emission testing where you live, if your check engine light is on, you are polluting the atmosphere. Aren't you ashamed?/snip

LOL- the Amish horse and buggies leave droppings on the road for me to drive thru.

...I think the old gauges worked better then todays lights.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/21/2011 12:17:20 AM

Termyn8or

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"LOL- the Amish horse and buggies leave droppings on the road for me to drive thru. "

Yeah, try breathing it, you decadent American Imperialist !

T^T

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/21/2011 7:49:36 AM

pahunkboy

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^ LMAO :-)

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/21/2011 9:27:18 AM

joeleyre

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quote:

ORIGINAL: slvemike4u

Well she claims the water rose up over the hood....it was at this point she thought it prudent to stop

Is this her?......

http://www.youtube.com/user/failblog#p/u/11/FPHUvUjdWXo

(Waterproof Car FAIL)

< Message edited by joeleyre -- 4/21/2011 9:29:05 AM >

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/21/2011 6:57:04 PM

ThatDamnedPanda

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quote:

ORIGINAL: slvemike4u

Okay,my sister,admittedly not the sharpest knife in the drawer.....committed a few fundamental errors while driving thru NC's storms yesterday.She approached a body of water,and decided to proceed(first mistake) than chose to stop in said body of water(second,and in my opinion greater of the two,mistake).The car quite naturally died.She needed a tow home,I was of the opinion that letting the car dry out(so to speak) would result in it's starting again.......well I am now afraid that she has kilt her car good and dead....it still isn't starting,as a matter of fact when the ignition is turned....little more than a clicking sound ensues.
Any advice as to how to resurrect this prematurely drowned vehicle ? All advice,no matter how whimsical will be appreciated...please keep in mind the idea of drowning said sister has already been considered and for reasons too numerous to enumerate rejected

Based on your description, I would deduce that your car is not working properly, and is possibly even broken. Perhaps if you tried getting it fixed, you would find that it will work better.

That will be a dollar, please.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/21/2011 7:26:09 PM

ThatDamnedPanda

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I would like my dollar, please.

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RE: Need some advice,car troubles - 4/21/2011 9:52:14 PM

slvemike4u

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ThatDamnedPanda

quote:

ORIGINAL: slvemike4u

Okay,my sister,admittedly not the sharpest knife in the drawer.....committed a few fundamental errors while driving thru NC's storms yesterday.She approached a body of water,and decided to proceed(first mistake) than chose to stop in said body of water(second,and in my opinion greater of the two,mistake).The car quite naturally died.She needed a tow home,I was of the opinion that letting the car dry out(so to speak) would result in it's starting again.......well I am now afraid that she has kilt her car good and dead....it still isn't starting,as a matter of fact when the ignition is turned....little more than a clicking sound ensues.
Any advice as to how to resurrect this prematurely drowned vehicle ? All advice,no matter how whimsical will be appreciated...please keep in mind the idea of drowning said sister has already been considered and for reasons too numerous to enumerate rejected

Based on your description, I would deduce that your car is not working properly, and is possibly even broken. Perhaps if you tried getting it fixed, you would find that it will work better.

That will be a dollar, please.

Glad I came back to check this thread.....I now know the car is not operating(working)properly.
I have remitted a check via CM mail(I dislike paying in cash...with the check I have a paper trail...in case your diagnosis proves faulty)

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