Aircare

[flyfishforfun]

Hi all,
I just failed aircare, and I’ve been told that it’s the catalytic converter that’s shot and it will be $975 to fix. Merry effin Christmas! The thing is, I can’t afford that right now. My car passed fine on most things, but just failed on NOx. Does anyone have any suggestions of things I can do to squeeze through without having to fork out all the cash?

Thanks

[phearless]

In the past I have added a litre of methyl hydrate to an almost empty tank
just before getting to aircare.
Just make sure you leave enough time to get it all mixed up and running through the system.
It will run hotter than normal.
Speaking of that, when in the line up keep it idling high to heat up the catalytic converter.
After hopefully passing top off your tank.
These are tricks from a mechanic I know who used to work for aircare.

[rmpearson12]

First who told oyu it was the Cat?
Most people think it's the Cat but if all your
other gases are Ok then it could be many other things.
I was the 17th Aircare tech in the province
and did Aircare until I left the trade 4 years ago.
Two of the biggest causes of NOX is the
EGR valve or the O2 sensor.
If the O2 is pinned in the rich position it will
lean out your air fuel mixture which in
turn causes high combustion chamber temps
and that my friends is what causes NOX.:yeah:
Vacuum leaks can also be the problem. If you have not taken
it to a certified Aircare shop then do so before going on with any repairs.
You use to be able to get a cost waiver if the cost of the repair
was higher than a certain amount. Use to be between $500 - $600 .
The tech would do diagnostic testing and do up the paper work and Bob's your uncle you get a one year Conditional Pass.

Hope this helps.

Ross

[flyfishforfun]

Thanks a lot guys,
It was diagnosed at a certified Aircare centre. They actually said that the cat is leaking, and that the O2 sensor was bust as well. If i get a conditional pass due to cost, will the same issues arise next time?

As i understand it (which is not very well!) adding methyl hydrate will improve the hydrocarbon and CO gases performance by running at a higher temp, but will this result in higher NOx? .

One more question- will removing the air filter improve the liklihood of a pass? And are you allowed to do this?

Thanks again!

[geoffvl]

I just replaced a broken egr valve on my wifes neon. Picked one up at pickapart in Chilliwack for 12 bucks. But I guess thats not your problem. I once was told to put Husky or Mohawks cleanest fuel in before going through.

[knotnot]

I take my old 300000 km vw golf in and it passes every time.
Over inflate the tires , Isopropyl Alcohol 500 ml to empty tank then add 10 liters of gas.
Highway run , like Phearless said keep it hot.
I make sure the egr valve is ok and the O2 sensor is ok. As per Mr Pearson.
My spark plugs are hot NGK and a killer MSD coil and after market air inlet system.
The intake seems louder than the exhaust.

But moving back to the Shuswap/Okanagan will end the aircare ritual for me.

[geoffvl]

I forgot to mention my wife went through aircare tuesday. She had a screaming kid in the back and they didn't even test it. They just looked at some things and passed her. Didn't even rev the engine. So if you have a kid that might work!

[professori]

what was she driving?

[rmpearson12]

If you have a set of studded tires, throw them on. They cannot put a car with studded tires onto the dyno as it will rip the studs out and send them shooting out like bullets.

[professori]

I forgot to mention my wife went through aircare tuesday. She had a screaming kid in the back and they didn't even test it.

How do they test kids anyway?