fucking emissions test

[makist]

Well as it turns out, I went to renew tags today and because it requires emissions test in AZ, I had to do that as well. The guy walks over to my window and tells me literally, Congratulations, you failed your emissions test. So I now I am like wth do I do, since I am really not ready to drop some $$$ to get things taken care of. They tell me I probably need the carburater(sp?) repaired, but have no idea what to expect to spend. Anyone here have any suggestions? I just hate to get suckered by a damn mechanic.

Also I live in Tempe AZ, so if you know a good local shop, let me know!

[Lucane Darkseraphim]

Your carburetor, transmission, engine, steering wheel, door knobs, brakes, bumper sticker, and stick-on Garfield all need to be fixed.

Grease monkeys.

*high five*

[makist]

[AngryGerbil]

I failed an emission test once (Missouri, not sure if it's the same here as there) because I didn't have my gas-cap on tight enough.

But I also failed one once (I've always owned shitty lemons) because my cadalydic converter (sp?? I hate cars and am not mechanical in the least) was out of whack. This thing apparently costs approx. $18million (give or take $6million) to fix.

Moral of the story: Hope it's just your gas-cap, but expect the worst.

[Ronne]

Your first mistake was driving a car that still has a carburetor in it. Join the 21st and you will probably stop failing emissions tests. Short of a graveyard and you doing it yourself, I doubt you can even get a carburetor fixed/replaced.

[TheGoat]

I recommend re-registering your car outside of the smog check zone so you don't have to mess with those silly little tests, like in Mohave County or some other rural craphole

[Frawdo]

There are things you can do as work-arounds if you are on the verge of passing. I drive an '89 Bronco so I know a little about this.

There is a certain type of alcohol you can buy, it's expensive compared to gas, but not too bad and you don't need that much. Pour it in the gas tank and it burns pretty clean compared to gas. On top of that, fill up with Premium gas (it'll help a little).

Oh yeah, the way you should do this is run your car down to E, then put in a small amount of Premium gas (enough to get you there and back) then add the alcohol. This will ensure that the concentration of alcohol is somewhat reasonable compared to the gas.

Anyways, google it and you should find something, it'll help if you're on the cusp of passing.

[Cathan]

Originally Posted by BobTheMoron

Your first mistake was driving a car that still has a carburetor in it. Join the 21st and you will probably stop failing emissions tests. Short of a graveyard and you doing it yourself, I doubt you can even get a carburetor fixed/replaced.

You live up to your name sir!!! Are you trying to give Blaezenfury or Galiem a run for their money? Just because most cars are fuel injected these days doesn't mean mechanics don't repair/replace carbuerators. Any auto shop should be able to repair or replace a carbuerator, ANY!!!!!!

I would advise you look around for a mechanic that will help you get the car through the emissions without doing a bunch of work to the car if you're on the borderline for passing.

[Mkopec1]

Also try running your car on the freeway for a while before taking the test. Usually when you take the test and the car is "cold" even a newer car wil sometimes fail.

Also try bribing the Mo-fo at the gas station, or wherever you get the test done, to pass you with cash. Its what I used to do sometimes when my shit didnt pass back when Michigan had emmisions testing. Good ole $20 spot worked almost every time.

This is why emissions tests are fucking retarded and dont do shit to decrease emissions, Because people do what they have to do to pass and then say fuck-all. But others, which didnt know shit, used to get taken for a fucking ride when they needeed to have their car "fixed" to pass.

MECHANIX---"Yes mam, were gonna have to replace your "flux capacitor" in order for you to pass"

WOMAN----"Oh rly?" How much?

MECHANIX---"Ya, rly! And it will cost about $300-$500.

[makist]

I don't really know that my vehicle has a carberetor (sp?). The vehicle is a 93 Mazda MX-6 6-cyl. I just heard that was one of the most common things to fail when I talked to one of the guys at the emissions test, although I don't think he even bothered to look at what kind of car I pulled up in.

[Mkopec1]

Hehe a 93 mazda definitely has fuel injectors. I think carburation went the way of the do -do bird back in the early 80's.

Try using some fuel injector cleaner, burn up all your gas and get premium. go for a drive for like a hour and then take it in and see if it passes. Even try the alcohol fuel like was sugested.

[makist]

Well the deal is I can get a retest for free, but if I fail again, it will cost me another $30. I would most certainly like to avoid paying $30.

[Chaotic]

Cats cost about 150$, and replacing them requires 4 bolts being removed. You could pick them up used for no more then 40$ or so. Nothing stands in the way.

Cats do not work well when cold, heat the car up as much as possible prior to getting tested.

Carboreuter or however you spell it - it is an easy rebuild. My brother had his rebuilt and with all labor and parts it ended up costing like 350$

More then likely it is because your car is pissing out too much fuel, I am not familiar with carb engines, or I could tell you how to adjust it a bit. The leaner you are on a:f mixture, the cleaner the burn (and the more risk of knock/detonation)

The alchohol stuff also works. There are other mixtures that will help as well.

[Mkopec1]

Its definitely not a carburator if its a 93 Mazda. Like I said, the carburator as a fuel delivery system went away in the early 80's being replaced by fuel injectors which are usually computer controlled as to the fuel/air mixture.

But yeah, try running the car for at least a hour before you go back, this is what I was told once and it worked, again, back when Michigan had emissions testing.

[makist]

I drove an hour just to get to the place :/