My 1992 325i won't pass smog!! - United Bimmer Community

**B3M2W5i** · 09-20-2006, 11:16 PM

Please help me out here. Any input would help me out since I don't know much about emissions. below are pictures of the report i received from my local Test Only station. If anyone can point out the problem that may be causing this I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Justin

**B3M2W5i** · 09-21-2006, 09:26 AM

no takers? i will just assume i need a new cat so if you guys know any "cheap" places to get one i'd appreciate it

witeshark · 09-21-2006, 09:43 AM

I don't think it's the cat. That was marked as pass, no? Does the car burn oil?

**xsperf** · 09-21-2006, 01:42 PM

lets put it this way, i dont know if this is the answer u were looking for, but it doesnt have to, you can pass the inspection w/out it(atleast i think)

**Spieluhr** · 09-21-2006, 02:11 PM

call the emissions place and ask them how to go about fixing it. If NO stands for NitrogenOxide, then you have too much of it, way too much. I have no idea how to go about fixing that.

but the first place I would look would be the cat.

**Yatti** · 09-21-2006, 03:22 PM

Did they screw up? the M1: 15 mph test is wack... why would it measure 2 tiems the max lol? yet 2nd test looks good?

**celsdogg** · 09-21-2006, 05:44 PM

i would check and make sure your not running to rich or too lean, then check your emission control systems.

make sure your air filter is clean, fuel filter is clean, spark plugs are in good shape, etc.

just some suggestions.

**mullethunter3** · 09-21-2006, 06:57 PM

okay, if your state is anything like missouri, do not ask the people who test emissions about how to fix your car. they are not mechanics. they are paid to test, not know how to fix cars. talk to your mechanic. if he's good, he'll know what to do.

you have no idea how many complaints i get (i work at the DMV) about how retarded the people at emissions are. one lady had to replace $2500 worth of "recommended" parts and then it still didn't even pass.
i'll never forget what she said: "you know, if i had a weapon, we'd be on the news."

**Dudesky** · 09-21-2006, 07:24 PM

^^^Heh, you can count NJ in . . they failed my minivan because it had no 3rd brake light . . it never came with one because it wasn't required

Back on topic, I'd take it to a knowledgeable mechanic. And good luck with that- California has the toughest emissions laws

**B3M2W5i** · 09-21-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celsdogg

i would check and make sure your not running to rich or too lean, then check your emission control systems.

make sure your air filter is clean, fuel filter is clean, spark plugs are in good shape, etc.

just some suggestions.

well my air filter is clean and i had it tuned before smogging it but i did not replace the plugs or fuel filter. do you think replacing the plugs and fuel filter could lower emissions by like 1000?

**cainchapman** · 09-22-2006, 12:47 AM

I would start looking at why you have such a high HC (hydrocarbon) reading. You are obviously passing through too much unburnt fuel.

Was the test dome while your car was hot? This does make a big difference to emissions.

As we manufacture units to do this, but don't actually need to test any vehicles, I can't really help. NOx (nitrous oxide) is a normal byproduct of Diesel motors.

It looks like you need to look at why it is running so rich and you should pass the test from there on.

**B3M2W5i** · 09-22-2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cainchapman

I would start looking at why you have such a high HC (hydrocarbon) reading. You are obviously passing through too much unburnt fuel.

Was the test dome while your car was hot? This does make a big difference to emissions.

As we manufacture units to do this, but don't actually need to test any vehicles, I can't really help. NOx (nitrous oxide) is a normal byproduct of Diesel motors.

It looks like you need to look at why it is running so rich and you should pass the test from there on.

well my car was warmed up. should i test it after a long day driving? would my results be better? i do have one free retest and i am willing to use it just to make sure i dont have to spend too much on other things

**celsdogg** · 09-22-2006, 07:48 AM

nah, get it fixed befor you do your retest. if it is running rich like cain said, then that means its not burning all the fuel, or this is too much fuel, etc. you need to figure out why that is.

also, it is a good idea to give it a good drive before you go, i drive to the next town to get my emissions done, just to make sure it at operating temp. but in your case, its seems to need more than that.

**cainchapman** · 09-22-2006, 06:27 PM

I'd take it to your local dealer (or BMW mechanic) and get it tuned. As long as it is at normal operating temperature, you should be fine.

If that doesn't fix it, then I'd look at the Catalytic converter. As it's job is to reduce Nox, HC and VOC.

**B3M2W5i** · 09-22-2006, 10:41 PM

so i may have an exhaust leak but not sure where and i figure its a 14 yo cat its about time to replace it, right? im thinking of a catback exhaust with a cat included but not sure who offers that. do we have dealer links here? i've been gone too long.

thanks