89' 328 GTS CT emmissions testing = fail | FerrariChat

89' 328 GTS CT emmissions testing = fail

Discussion in '308/328' started by mla575, Nov 7, 2007.

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  1. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    Hello, I recently joined the 328 syndicate (along with 348 brotherhood) and purchased a 1989 328 GTS. (I will post pics shortly). Today, I proceeded to go get the emmissions test so I can register her. In short... she just barely failed.
    Everything passed with excellent grades..except the CO (%). CT allows a maximum of .5 and she was tested with
    .63 I have searched here and found some similar posts but most results had more problems than I have (or so I think)

    My initial thoughts are that the Air to fuel mixture needs slight tweaking.... So.... how wrong am I? Am I close?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
  2. champtc

    champtc Formula Junior

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    may I ask where in Ct...I know of a few "friendlier" places in southern Ct...
     
  3. Bruce McKinney

    Bruce McKinney Karting

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    Here's a tip...

    If you are not driving your 328 on a regular basis - check with your DMV for a "special interest" vehicle registration. I went thru the issues you are having every 2 years with my 308, failing our local DEQ testing standards (Oregon). I would have to pay my mechanic to tweak the car to get it to pass which was a pain every two years. It was usually a couple of hours labor PLUS the DEQ and registration renewal fees .....$$$$$$$. I can only imagine emmission standards getting more stringent with the public awarness of global warming and our older Ferraris are doomed to fail such stringent standards. A "special interest" registration is available here in Oregon that (basically) says I am NOT using the car as a daily driver and am pretty much using it for club outings, club drives, shows, etc. etc. (which really is how I am using the 308 anyway).

    I just registered the car under our "special interest" category - paid $84.00 and NEVER have to register it agian (it's a one-time registration) AND...the good news - the "special interest" vehicles do not need to go to DEQ.

    Hopefully that helps....

    Bruce
    Special Interest 308 :)
     
  4. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    I am in Vernon..approx. 10 miles past Hartford going 84 east.
     
  5. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    Interesting. I believe CT has plates for "classic"(20 yrs?) and "antiques" (older)..That may be similar to what you are refering to. Thanks! I will check into it.
     
  6. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

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    328's normally pass very easily. Was the car fully warmed up when tested? What was the HC#?

    Dave
     
  7. jonesdds

    jonesdds Formula 3

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    +1, unless there is a problem. Probably should assess the problem before retrying. Seller should have been responsible for smogging the car prior to sale I'd think.

    Jeff
     
  8. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    HC Limit = 156, 328 = 16 Pass
    CO limit -= .5, 328 = .63 Fail
    NOx Limit = 1094, 328 = 296 Pass

    I believe it was warm. Oil temp was centered, Temp was also centered, 2nd was easily engaged.
    I started her, let her warm up for about 5 min, I drove her around approx. 5 miles and it was running in the bay
    for a good 10 minutes while they did the VIN check and other tests... Gas cap test etc.. which I was told does
    not sync up with machine.. so they passed that.
     
  9. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    I did purchase from a very reputable dealer (out of state) I have been in contactwith them and currently waiting for them to get back to me with some sort of solution. In the meanwhile... trying to research as much as I can...

    I definitley dont want to waste the "free" retest from the DMV.... "free"...yeah right... lol
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    You need to precheck with a 4 gas analyzer at a shop.

    Then as noted, get it HOT HOT HOT.......then test it.
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Fresh spark plugs, fresh oil, fresh gas.........all that also makes a BIG difference.
     
  12. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3

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    Does the car run OK otherwise?

    My 88.5 328 was just emissions tested with the followiing results:

    HC - limit = 220, 328 = 7.2
    CO - limit = 0.5, 328 = 0.00

    No other gasses tested. Gas cap not tested. My spark plugs and oil were a year old at the time.

    Before I take it in I make sure it is HOT. I also always give it a thorough "Italian tuneup" on the way to the test center.
     
  13. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Chances are that after 18 years your catalytic converter needs replacing. I had the same thing happen here in GA; I replaced the cat with a Hyperflow from Ricambi and it passed with flying colors!
     
  14. robbie

    robbie F1 Rookie

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    Try running some Techron injector cleaner in the fuel. My 328 measured as follows on California's dyno test (15 mph and 25 mph .. 2052 and 2325 RPM respectively):

    HC 3 .. limit 112, ave. 31 @15 mph
    1 .. limit 86, ave. 20 @ 25 mph

    CO 0 .. limit .72, ave. .10 @ 15 mph
    0 .. limit .6, ave. .09 @25 mph

    NO 82 .. limit 778, ave. 237 @ 15 mph
    120 .. li,it 717, ave. 199 @ 25 mph

    Mileage 26,904. Did a plug change before testing and the Techron.
     
  15. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    Thank you to everyone has responded so far.... I would like to get this settled before the first snow.

    I was thinking about trying an additive first. I will try the techron first. Also, I remember a while back seeing an additive that was specific for emissions testing...Not sure exactly what this was. Is there anything out there?
     
  16. mla575

    mla575 Karting

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    Absolutley. The car runs very well and is a blast to drive.. Maybe a slight gas smell from exhaust.. but my 348CH also has this.

    This may sound stupid,. but exactly how hot is "hot"? :->
     
  17. 328GTB

    328GTB Formula Junior

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    My '86 failed as well:

    HC(ppm) -- requirement 220, tested 577 -- fail
    CO% -- requirement 1.20, tested 0.99 -- pass
    CO2% -- no requirements, tested 8.2
    O2% -- no requirement, tested 8.6
    Dilution -- requirement >6, tested 9.15 -- pass

    I'm down to bad ignition wires. I think.
     
  18. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3

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    Hot is what it is after 20 minutes of hard driving. After warming up the car and running it to 7500 rpm a few times.
     
  19. James in Denver

    James in Denver Formula 3

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    This might be a stupid suggestion, but have you checked to make sure your cats (single cat?) are/is on the car? Did you recent purchase the car, and if so, do you have test pipes installed?

    Second, are you are that the cats are functional? I saw a 308 cat on Ebay that the insides were "gutted", meaning it looked like it was legit, but the cat was basically a test pipe.

    Just some suggestions,
    James in Denver
     
  20. jonesdds

    jonesdds Formula 3

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    Well, if out of state, then getting smog test done prepurchase is not possible. You're close, shouldn't take much....

    Jeff
     

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