Hi all,

This is my ( moved from new member area) request for help regarding my 2005 Roadster, which failed a Colorado Emissions test yesterday 2/28/2023.

To recap, this is a car that I purchased on an online action and had shipped here to Colorado from the East Coast. The car was a one owner with very low miles - 10K. The car seems to run fine, no perceptible misfiring, idles and accelerates smoothly, no smoke, weird sounds and all gauges appear normal. A visual inspection underhood looks like a completely stock car.

In my earlier thread, it was suggested that I change oil, oil filter and air filters. Those are on order and that will be accomplished soon. The car did arrive with a half tank of fuel that smelled "old". Before testing I filled the tank with fresh premium from a busy gas station and drove several miles to ensure the fuel was completely mixed and the engine was up to operating temperature. The testing center was busy and I ended up waiting for an hour for my turn, with the car idling most of that time.

The car failed the test for high HC (hydrocarbon) levels. All other emissions were well within spec. I will attach a scan of the report that I was given on the next post.

 

Here I have attached a scan of the report.

 

It appears to me that the graph for HC actually is hitting a ceiling and would have gone higher, so something sure appears amiss...
Hopefully some of you folks have more experience reading the text at the bottom of the graphs and can give me some more ideas of where to look.
I have not been able to go to the DMV to see about a temporary license so that I can drive the car more - run it hard and run through all the potentially bad fuel, then refill was one suggestion.

Unfortunately, I may not be able to mess with this anymore until next week, it looks like I may be headed out of town. I wanted to post this though so that we can continue the discussion.

Thanks for any ideas...

Terry

 

This is a better place for this, but the answers wont change.

Changing the air filter is a good idea, and might help tho I doubt it. The issue is that THE CAR SAT.
Changing the oil is not going to clean the exhaust up, but again, as I said before, ALL FLUIDS are due to be changed anyway.

You have been given the answer by many here and on Facebook: DRIVE THE DAMN CAR, run it out of gas, fill it again and DRIVE THE DAMN CAR. I doubt there is much wrong with it.

"I can't get a tag/they only give us three days" - either stop saying that or sell the damn thing, again, I doubt there is anything really wrong with the car, other than it sat so much. Just because you don't like the answer does not mean the answer is wrong, and "answer shopping" where you keep asking until you get an answer you like, is a waste of time. Put insurance on it and DRIVE THE CAR. As I said before, you bought it in another state, every state has temp title/tags you can get for a few dollars for transport home. Those tags are honored in every state for at least 30 days - I've bought three cars out of state, different states every time, it's easy.

If it's too late for a temp tag, put the tag on from one of your other cars and dont drive stupid and get pulled over. (I've done that, too.)

 

Haha.. Pizzaguy - I really wasn't trying to get a different answer.. I just thought I'd try to include as much relevant info as I could!

Thanks for the advice, I'll go drive before I post here again.

 

OK what I see looks like HC is near three times the limit and B1S2 and B2S2 (downstream O2 sensors on both banks) are at the max (should be under 50%}. Would want to instrument (Torque Pro can read all sensors in real time) but sure sounds like both catalysts are thoroughly ex.

ps dumb question but have you verified that both catalysts are there ?

 

In what state and when was it last registered?

 

I'm from CO. Our emissions are a pain. Brought two cars from out of state (PA and TN) and drove them back so my sitch was a little different. AirCareCO is difficult to deal with. I found out that you're better off driving with no tags than faked tags or tags off another car. Take your paper work along and if you do get pulled over, show them and explain what you're doing. I don't have front tags on either of my Crossfires, so the cops don't seem to notice that much. Drive it like you've seen mentioned in other places

I messaged your dad on the Colorado Crossfire FB page and told him to post there (I'd seen it at other places). He might be able to find other Crossfire owners in Loveland. I know there's a couple in Milliken. I saw that you don't do FB. My advice is do FB just for the massive Crossfire support you can get there. A lot of people here are also on FB. The Crossfire community REALLY want to help and know so much about our cars.

Good luck!!

 

Think the owner said it came from Delaware but had been sitting long enough for the gas to go bad.
Odd thing is the front O2 sensors (B1S1 and B2S1) are transitioning but don't look bad while the downstream sensors (B1S2 and B2S2) are maxed out. Something is very rong.

 

Also, under NO circumstances take it to a dealership. Years ago, my nephew worked at MB of Loveland. The mechanics there HATED working on Crossfires. I doubt that has changed. Not all independents that work on MBs will touch them but there are ones in Denver that will, so I'm sure you can find one up there. Google and then call around SHOULD you decide you have to get professional repair. But always do first what you're told here on FB Crossfire. I've done repairs and upgrades on mine that I'd never have thought of doing before but thanks to the community, I've successfully tackled them. If you have any ability to wrench, you can do much yourself as you go along.

 

BTW first thing I'd do is to get up in the air and trace both the exhaust and the O2 sensors/wiring. Is entirely possible the PO removed the catalysts and the downstream O2 sensors entirely. Even if just hanging in the air they would read closer to .5.

 

Ok, update time. I was able to go get some temporary tags..

Took it for a short drive, approximately 20 miles, when I pulled into garage I smelled fuel...

I have a fuel leak! It is dripping from somewhere just ahead and inboard of the right rear tire. I'll get it up in the air tomorrow and research further.

That will give me a chance to check the rest of the exhaust system too.

 

I knew there had to be a way to tag it temporarily, that's what I told your father.

As to the leak - no big surprise, I'd almost BET you the pump is leaking, mine was when I bought it, it had sat almost two years. I drove 475 miles home but it was leaking a little, the leak quit and then came back a few years later.
Just get it over with, replace the fuel pump and filter/regulator. I'd even consider changing those hoses as well, the leak is where your pump/filter are.

And one more time: Replace the fluids, ALL fluids, replace the battery, I'd even replace the idler pulley and belt. Getting stranded is no fun and our cars are OLD now.

Consider, when you get around to it, buying a new RCM and a Crank sensor and keeping them in the trunk, you willl need both eventually. They are easy to change, but not always easy to find locally.

 

"Getting stranded is no fun and our cars are OLD now." Agree 100%. Why I carry a toolbox and a number of common spares and have AAA Premier which includes a 200 mile tow. Further I usually take my Tow/GT car with a lifetime factory service contract.

 

Circling back to close out this thread.. I replaced the fuel pump, filter and regulator. No leaks. Changed the oil and filter. Drove through two tanks of fresh fuel, one with a bottle of Chevron Techron injector cleaner.

Took it back for a new emissions check yesterday. Passed the test with all levels about 10% of max. New plates on car and life is good!

I've had DJTighe work his magic on the RCM. I have a new crankshaft position sensor ready to put in.

Next up, reading up on either regluing the rear window or replacing the entire top. Also, new tires are on the list...



Thanks for everyone's help!

 

Either of those could explain what was wrong. I admit I missed the part about letting the car idle for an hour.

 

Nah, I really don't think the old gas or idling was the issue. Raw fuel dripping from the fuel pump into the airstream 2 feet in front of the exhaust sniffer was the problem!