Failed Emissions

[chrommagman]

Hey guy's

My mom's 1989 Ford Econoline failed emissions. Should I change the spark pugs?
I know it needs a new distributer.

If I change the spark plugs I have to take the intake manifold off you get the the passenger side.

So what do you think ?

 

[J Persons]

Hey guy's

My mom's 1989 Ford Econoline failed emissions. Should I change the spark pugs?
I know it needs a new distributer.

If I change the spark plugs I have to take the intake manifold off you get the the passenger side.

So what do you think ?

Why would you need to remove the intake manifold? The spark plugs are no way near the intake. I believe those models have a removable engine cover, take the cover off and change the plugs from inside the cab.
You can also buy some chemical cleaner that goes into the gas tank. It's advertised to guarantee to pass emissions. Just follow the directions on the can.

 

[chrommagman]

Why would you need to remove the intake manifold? The spark plugs are no way near the intake. I believe those models have a removable engine cover, take the cover off and change the plugs from inside the cab.
You can also buy some chemical cleaner that goes into the gas tank. It's advertised to guarantee to pass emissions. Just follow the directions on the can.

True, But to get to the ones towards the front of the block I wound have to remove it. It's a V8 and the engine bay is supper small in that van

 

[tatra]

what is your level of expertise?............and when was the last tuneup done?...........

 

[Milton Shaw]

Several of the plugs are reached from inside the wheel wells, remove front tires and they can be reached from there. Much easier than what you are suggesting.

 

[Stuart in MN]

In what way did it fail emissions? What were the test results?

 

[chrommagman]

what is your level of expertise?............and when was the last tuneup done?...........

never had a tuneup ... Yes I am in high school but I know a lot about automotive work and I helped put on the new intake manifold. so I got a good look at what's under it.

I would have to take off the upper intake (the part that goes on the intake manifold)

 

[Falcon67]

I would change the o2 sensor first. Or get a manual and try pulling any codes as a hint. Just changing plugs is probably not it. Might help a little.

 

[chrommagman]

I would change the o2 sensor first. Or get a manual and try pulling any codes as a hint. Just changing plugs is probably not it. Might help a little.

I don't have a code reader :/ but I do know it's burning rich

In what way did it fail emissions? What were the test results?

I don't know, but it still needs new spark pugs. from what I know it still has the ones that it can off the line in it.

 

[chrommagman]

the gas cap failed a seal test.
I still have to change the spark plugs soon tho

 

[99LeCouch]

New gas cap for the gas cap test. Get a locking cap so you're not such an easy target for thieves.

Do the distributor first, then change the plugs.

Also, is this carb or EFI? Being in a dusty environment, if it's carb'd I'd replace the air filter.

 

[csp]

For an '89 you don't need a code reader.

You can jump across two terminals on the diagnostics plug and count the flashes of the check engine light on the dash. First you do a KOEO (key on, engine off) test and then, if necessary, KOER (key on, engine running) test. You obviously have internet access so Google "Ford EEC IV diagnostics" to get the correct procedure.

Don't go changing the spark plugs assuming that they are going to make a difference. You need to diagnose what the problem is instead of shotgunning parts at it. Telling us it didn't pass emissions means absolutely nothing without the details on what part it failed and what the readings were.

 

[Falcon67]

the gas cap failed a seal test.
I still have to change the spark plugs soon tho

That will fail a car here - so go buy a new gas cap and re-test.

 

[zmotorsports]

If the gas cap is the only thing that failed then replace the gas cap. Otherwise get a printout of the results and post them. It will be totally different items to check depending on whether it fails on CO or Hydrocarbons.

Mike.

 

[brownbagg]

change the oil, and make sure the engine is hot before testing . a hour driving around town, the o2 sensor is a good idea.

 

[70redbee]

If it only failed because of the gas cap that is all I would replace before getting it retested. After it is passed then do a good tuneup, sparkplugs, wires, oil change, air filter etc. No need to throw parts at it if you are not sure what is wrong. Get it passed first for the emissions, then do a good diagnostics and go from thee. Good Luck.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I am not sure there, but in california they do a test to the EVAP system by pumping some nitrogen in the fuel tank to make sure it is sealed. They pinch the hose at the Evap canister and meter for a leak in the system. then they test the cap.....

This is another one of C.A.R.B.S great ideas

 

[chrommagman]

New gas cap for the gas cap test. Get a locking cap so you're not such an easy target for thieves.

Do the distributor first, then change the plugs.

Also, is this carb or EFI? Being in a dusty environment, if it's carb'd I'd replace the air filter.

I just changed the air filter 2 weeks ago that is when I changed the oil also. (Vavoline Nextgen 10W30 high mileage and a fam tuffgard)

It's EFI my dad thought it was a throttle body. we had locking and we got new locking caps

Thanks for the tips!

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I just changed the air filter 2 weeks ago that is when I changed the oil also. (Vavoline Nextgen 10W30 high mileage and a fam tuffgard)

It's EFI my dad thought it was a throttle body. we had locking and we got new locking caps

Thanks for the tips!

FYI, throttle body is EFI, the difference is the two or four injectors are in the throttle body and not in the individual ports....

 

[HotRodKush]

As said, EFI motors have a throttle body. If the car failed because of a faulty gas cap, just replace that. No need to change plugs if that's not causing the failure, unless you want to do them anyway.

 

[harley rider]

Hey guy's

My mom's 1989 Ford Econoline failed emissions. Should I change the spark pugs?
I know it needs a new distributer.

If I change the spark plugs I have to take the intake manifold off you get the the passenger side.

So what do you think ?

buy a chevy!!

 

[1984Datsun]

This is why I'm happy to live in Michigan. No emission BS. Run catless and mufflerless if that's your preferred method of exhausting those super hot gasses from the ports... and lots do.

But those that are stuck in overly oppressed states are SOL. Wish I could help, but there is basically nothing anyone can do about those assclowns...

Tune up, run some seafoam to clean things up a little, and go take the test again. Try the stuff you pour in the gas tank too...

Or just see if the gas cap was the whole problem.

 

[Will67]

I would suggest driving around for at least 30 minutes before test. This is to make sure it is warmed up. I am told this reduces HC emissions

 

[chrommagman]

we got new caps! We will see if she passed on Monday

 

[RangerDaleXp]

FYI, throttle body is EFI, the difference is the two or four injectors are in the throttle body and not in the individual ports....

I do need to make one correction to my statement. I meant to say throttle body injection is EFI But like said, all EFI systems have a throttle body

TBI was big on Dodge V6s and V8s as well as the Chevy small blocks and Chevy big block V8s from the mid 80s till the mid 90s as well as 4.3L Chevy V6s. I am having a hard time remembering If there were many fords that used that system. I think it was always port injection with them?

 

[chrommagman]

Throttle body uses 1 injector. A EFI uses 1 or 2 per cylinder.
Throttle body is like a carb because the air/gas mix is sucked in to the cylinder. EFI the fuel is injected right in to the cylinder.

But yes all EFI's have a throttle.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Throttle body uses 1 injector. A EFI uses 1 or 2 per cylinder.
Throttle body is like a carb because the air/gas mix is sucked in to the cylinder. EFI the fuel is injected right in to the cylinder.

But yes all EFI's have a throttle.

TBI uses from 1 to 4 injectors all built into the throttle body....

 

[theoldwizard1]

Change the oil and filter. Change the air filter and PCV valve. Check the PCV grommet and hose for cracks/dry rot.

Get re-tested, but make certain the vehicle has been driven at least 30 minutes on the highway before the test.

Replacing the distributor cap without replacing the rotor is a waste of time.

BTW, you absolutely do NOT need to remove the intake manifold. Yes, getting to all the plugs, from the front, from the back (dog house) through the fender wells, is a pain and require multiple extensions, a universal and a flex head ratchet.

 

[chrommagman]

TBI uses from 1 to 4 injectors all built into the throttle body....

I did not know that.

Change the oil and filter. Change the air filter and PCV valve. Check the PCV grommet and hose for cracks/dry rot.

Get re-tested, but make certain the vehicle has been driven at least 30 minutes on the highway before the test.

Replacing the distributor cap without replacing the rotor is a waste of time.

changed the oil and air liter 2 week ago, PCV valve was changed 4 or 5 months ago so it's fine.

True that when it comes to old *** distributors!! the spring are bad on the current on to we are just going to get a new one!

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Here is to types...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ford used TBI (but they called it Central Fuel Injection, CFI) for about 2 years in the early 80s with EEC-III.

 

[Goldboattail455]

Replace PCM/ECM. Look at the trouble tree and skip all the steps except the last one, replace PCM.

 

[chrommagman]

Here is to types...

cool, thanks!

 

[csp]

Throttle body uses 1 injector. A EFI uses 1 or 2 per cylinder.
Throttle body is like a carb because the air/gas mix is sucked in to the cylinder. EFI the fuel is injected right in to the cylinder.

But yes all EFI's have a throttle.

Not quite. Any type of fuel injection that's computer controlled is EFI. There is also mechanical fuel injection.

Injection directly into the cylinder is called direct injection. It is one form of EFI. Injection into the intake manifold runners is called multi-port injection and is also a form of EFI. Throttle body injection is another type of EFI as is CPI. As said, TBI can use from 1-4 injectors.

All EFI's have a throttle body. This is where the throttle plates (or butterflies) are located, regardless of what type of injection it is. It's the injector location that determines what type of EFI it is.

Ford did use a form of throttle body injection for a year or two in the mid-80s. It was replaced quickly by the port injection found starting in late-86.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ford did use a form of throttle body injection for a year or two in the mid-80s. It was replaced quickly by the port injection found starting in late-86.

Port EFI was introduced on some 1983 Escorts using EEC-IV. Port EFI spread quickly on many different Ford vehicles in 1984.

 

[Falcon67]

This is why I'm happy to live in Michigan. No emission BS. Run catless and mufflerless if that's your preferred method of exhausting those super hot gasses from the ports... and lots do.

Meaning "they don't look" because if they did, it'd be trouble. It's not a state law not to tamper - it's federal. Yank the equipment and it can be around $25K for the fine. Just FYI.

 

[Dadstoy]

Same here in Ohio. It was getting to cost people a fortune in buying emission parts and getting cars passed. The price of emission parts doubled. Got to be a racket for repair shops. Ohio finally sent the E-check people packing after years of complaints.

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

If you buy a locking gas cap, make sure you can take it back if it fails the test.
When California started testing gas caps, some brands of replacement locking caps weren't much better than the old ones.
I think they are better now, but who knows where they sent the old inventory.

 

[theoldwizard1]

As I understand the law in California, if a cop stops you for any reason and sees the "check engine"/"wrench" light on, they automatically issue you an emissions violation citation.

 

[z28snksknr]

Can of Seafoam + Can of Garunteed to Pass is the cheapest and quickest fix. Run a full tank of gas with both in the tank.

If you still fail, it needs new parts (in order: plugs, cap / rotor, plug wires, o2 sensor, catalytic converter) and you'll have a nice clean running motor when you are done.