Failed Smog Twice - Need Advice
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,362
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From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
Failed Smog Twice - Need Advice
Hello Guys,
Well I've been trying to sell the wagon for about three months (maybe only about 4 weeks actively trying). It failed the smog test about a month ago. I had an O2 sensor replaced but it still failed. I had it in the shop and the guy was hoping he could just tweak the fuel mixture so it would pass but that didn't work.
Now he's telling me he thinks I need a new catalytic converter which could run about $1000. Since I'm just trying to get rid of the car what would you guys recommend? I don't want to shell out a thousand bucks if I can't make it back when I sell it.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Another problem I have with this wagon is that hot air comes out of the defroster vents in the front all the time, can't shut it off (a/c has never blown cold).
Thanks in advance...
Brian.
Well I've been trying to sell the wagon for about three months (maybe only about 4 weeks actively trying). It failed the smog test about a month ago. I had an O2 sensor replaced but it still failed. I had it in the shop and the guy was hoping he could just tweak the fuel mixture so it would pass but that didn't work.
Now he's telling me he thinks I need a new catalytic converter which could run about $1000. Since I'm just trying to get rid of the car what would you guys recommend? I don't want to shell out a thousand bucks if I can't make it back when I sell it.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Another problem I have with this wagon is that hot air comes out of the defroster vents in the front all the time, can't shut it off (a/c has never blown cold).
Thanks in advance...
Brian.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 2
From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
Look into having and aftermarket cat installed. Im not sure sure how they would want to go about doing it on and otherwise stock setup, but mine was only $104.00 to just pretty much cut and weld a cat in.
Pretty much any welding or exhaust shop would do it, and its a pretty competitive field, usually with 3 or 4 shops within a 5 mile radius here in CA, so theyre prices are very reasonable.
Pretty much any welding or exhaust shop would do it, and its a pretty competitive field, usually with 3 or 4 shops within a 5 mile radius here in CA, so theyre prices are very reasonable.
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 80
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From: Atlanta, GA
'95 Smoke Silver S124
I recently failed emissions due to a faulty Mass Air sensor which caused the mixture to be running too rich which in turn nearly fouled my cats... dunno if thats of any help though...
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Joined: Dec 2003
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did you just barely fail or fail dismally?
if you just barely failed, you might be able to get it to pass by simply revving the engine at 3500 for about 10 minutes while its on the rollers, then smogging it right after. heat in the cats makes them work better. i believe there is a tire drying program built into the smog test facilities that essentially does the same thing; runs the car under load on the rollers for a few minutes
'swhat i had to do. whether i can do it again next year is another question.
best thing to do is take it to a smog station thats not busy, usually when they are slow. thats when they are more likely to make allowances that will help you to pass.
if you just barely failed, you might be able to get it to pass by simply revving the engine at 3500 for about 10 minutes while its on the rollers, then smogging it right after. heat in the cats makes them work better. i believe there is a tire drying program built into the smog test facilities that essentially does the same thing; runs the car under load on the rollers for a few minutes
'swhat i had to do. whether i can do it again next year is another question.
best thing to do is take it to a smog station thats not busy, usually when they are slow. thats when they are more likely to make allowances that will help you to pass.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 544
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From: OC california
i now drive a ford p71 i also own a 1988 ford f150 lariat
Hello Guys,
Well I've been trying to sell the wagon for about three months (maybe only about 4 weeks actively trying). It failed the smog test about a month ago. I had an O2 sensor replaced but it still failed. I had it in the shop and the guy was hoping he could just tweak the fuel mixture so it would pass but that didn't work.
Now he's telling me he thinks I need a new catalytic converter which could run about $1000. Since I'm just trying to get rid of the car what would you guys recommend? I don't want to shell out a thousand bucks if I can't make it back when I sell it.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Another problem I have with this wagon is that hot air comes out of the defroster vents in the front all the time, can't shut it off (a/c has never blown cold).
Thanks in advance...
Brian.
Well I've been trying to sell the wagon for about three months (maybe only about 4 weeks actively trying). It failed the smog test about a month ago. I had an O2 sensor replaced but it still failed. I had it in the shop and the guy was hoping he could just tweak the fuel mixture so it would pass but that didn't work.
Now he's telling me he thinks I need a new catalytic converter which could run about $1000. Since I'm just trying to get rid of the car what would you guys recommend? I don't want to shell out a thousand bucks if I can't make it back when I sell it.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Another problem I have with this wagon is that hot air comes out of the defroster vents in the front all the time, can't shut it off (a/c has never blown cold).
Thanks in advance...
Brian.
and same with the a/c in my car
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Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 84
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From: Northern, VA
1988 300CE Coupe
I have failed twice In VA... The inspector "thinks" it is the Cat.. That is an expensive "think" ! So far I have purchased a new O2 Sensor. The Mass Air sensor as well as the CAT are not cheap --- I figure I am going to end up having to bite the bullet and give at least one of them a shot... Since there seems to be some quessing on the inspectors part as to just what it may be... Good Luck to the both of us !
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 378
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From: CT
04 S430 4Matic/03 Ml 320/ 98' E320 4matic/ 73' slc 450/ 05 cherokee
yeah i was thinking that its got to be the cat bro...like quicksilver said....drive tht bad boy around for a bit before heading to the dmv ...and hope for the best
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,362
Likes: 1
From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
I have it in the shop right now (second shop) and they tried to tell me they want to replace an O2 sensor (which I already had one replaced) and then if not that then the EGR Valve. I told them I already had an O2 sensor replaced and doubt that is the problem.
Before I had the O2 Sensor replaced my smog test was failing the HC and after I replaced it the HC came into passing range but the NOx was through the roof. The original mechanic tried doing some adjustments to the fuel mixture or whatever to see if that would help but still failed the NOx.
Anyone hear of replacing the EGR and fixing the problem? I am hoping it is going to be that and not the Cat-con. The EGR is going to cost me about $400 out of pocket.
Before I had the O2 Sensor replaced my smog test was failing the HC and after I replaced it the HC came into passing range but the NOx was through the roof. The original mechanic tried doing some adjustments to the fuel mixture or whatever to see if that would help but still failed the NOx.
Anyone hear of replacing the EGR and fixing the problem? I am hoping it is going to be that and not the Cat-con. The EGR is going to cost me about $400 out of pocket.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,362
Likes: 1
From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
Well, after a lot of back and forth I'm basically going to let the shop it's at now replace the O2 sensor again and then go from there. They are telling me that the sensor has a range of 100-900mvolts but mine is only going between 460-550 (which is why they think it's bad). Of course, I know that isn't going to be the only thing needed to get this to pass but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Another shop told me to be wary of third-party cat-cons as they don't usually include the pre-cat which can go bad as well. I really don't know who to listen to here but I just want this thing fixed...
Another shop told me to be wary of third-party cat-cons as they don't usually include the pre-cat which can go bad as well. I really don't know who to listen to here but I just want this thing fixed...
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E
Pre cat? on a w124? No, I don't think so, they have a primary and thats it. Throw some mangaflow's on that B. You should only have 1 o2 sensor, and EGR has been known to clog in that metal tube that goes down the right side of the block, and if that is cloged it could be making the O2 sensor pissed off. Pre cat? Take it somewhere else, your 211 has pre cats. I don't even think 210's have pre cats....
-Mike
-Mike
