89' 328 GTS CT emmissions testing = fail

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!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

Dave

 

+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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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?

 

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"? :->

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

Jeff