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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / February 2008

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Failed emission high NOx

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jambru72@yahoo.com - 10 Feb 2008 18:14 GMT
Help please, I have a 94 Nissan pick-up with the four cyl. I failed
the nox, I've replaced the O2, checked all vacuums, and EGR system.
The EGR is working at a sharper acceleration, but won't operate at a
steady, say 2000 rpm. Could the backpressure transducer be partially
defective, am I looking at having to replace the converter? I by-
passed the transducer to test the operation, and the EGR valve will
operate at a steady speed. Can an exhaust system lack in back
pressure? No changes have been made to the exhaust and there are no
leaks. We've had the truck for five years and this is the first fail,
even with a check engine light in the previous test. I have since
repaired the check engine light to no help.
HLS - 11 Feb 2008 00:36 GMT
> Help please, I have a 94 Nissan pick-up with the four cyl. I failed
> the nox, I've replaced the O2, checked all vacuums, and EGR system.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> even with a check engine light in the previous test. I have since
> repaired the check engine light to no help.

The backpressure issue comes up many times on this group.  Do you REALLY
think you could have low back pressure in a vehicle this old?  Low back
pressure
is not an item I worry about.

High Nox is usually caused by high combustion chamber temperatures at
ignition,
and/or bad catalytic convertor, or both.  I suspect that, but have not
researched the
issue, certain gasoline additives might push the Nox over the limit.

This car is old enough to need a new catalytic convertor.  And you already
point out
that the EGR is "spooky".

High temperatures are caused by a number of issues.  Lean fuel conditions,
poorly
functioning EGR system, etc etc..

I cant tell you exactly where the problem lies, but I think the
oversimplified comments
above might be something to consider.

I am sure others here will hop in with more concise suggestions.  Good luck
jambru72@yahoo.com - 11 Feb 2008 12:49 GMT
> <jambr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
> I am sure others here will hop in with more concise suggestions.  Good luck

Thanks for the tips, I will replace the converter and transducer and
give it another shot.
HLS - 11 Feb 2008 13:29 GMT
<jambru72@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:a29fdb52-c4c3-4096-859c-
I am sure others here will hop in with more concise suggestions. Good luck

Thanks for the tips, I will replace the converter and transducer and
give it another shot.

Changing out parts is an expensive way to troubleshoot.  Unless you are in a
hurry for the car, and have a lot of money to spend, you might want to spend
more time in diagnosis.
jambru72@yahoo.com - 12 Feb 2008 04:57 GMT
> <jambr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:a29fdb52-c4c3-4096-859c-
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> hurry for the car, and have a lot of money to spend, you might want to spend
> more time in diagnosis.

I believe it is in the EGR system: forgot to mention this will be my
fourth attempt to pass.

First fail, didn't really know what to try and replaced the O2.
Numbers improved a little, but still failed when tested again.

Researched, did some testing and found EGR valve partially stuck open,
but after cleaning and re-testing a third time, the reading went
higher.

The EGR valve pulsed at 2000 rpm with the transducer connected, but
when by-passed, the valve stayed open more evenly. But being the last
"free" test before spending a third $40, I'm thinking about trying the
converter as well. I was also thinking about getting it tested with
the transducer by-passed. It is supposed to prevent unwanted EGR
operartion at low engine load, but should still operate. Your thoughts
on this?
HLS - 12 Feb 2008 22:25 GMT
I believe it is in the EGR system: forgot to mention this will be my
fourth attempt to pass.
*************************

Double check that you dont have any air leaks, missing air ducts, etc before
you go much further.

The EGR is a common problem when Nox increases.  Have you cleaned out the
EGR ports, etc?  Partially or fully blocked ports can do a number on you.

Have you had this pickup on the highway much recently, enough to sort of
de-coke it.  If not, that might also help.

Just as a benchmark, Autozone shows that EGR should cost you about $100.
The catalyic converter is about $130.

Depends on whether you want to replace them both and have another go at it,
or whether you want to do a bit more diagnosis.

What did the shop that did the emission testing say, or did they tell you if
they found any parameters out of specification?
jambru72@yahoo.com - 13 Feb 2008 03:44 GMT
> <jambr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> What did the shop that did the emission testing say, or did they tell you if
> they found any parameters out of specification?

I have checked for leaks, none found, and all ducts are in tact.

The EGR ports looked clear, and when testing the valve, the engine
nearly stalled when opening the valve with a vacuum pump.

Nothing really different in driving the vehicle, my son drives it back
and forth to school.

The shop that tested says could be EGR system or cat, all other sytems
or "smells" ok.

At this point, I can only try the transducer or leave it by-passed and
try it. If it fails again, try the converter.

Maybe time to look into getting a decent OBD vehicle, the truck is
economical and has been a good vehicle, but this is a pain in the
neck.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
 
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