Mass. auto inspection failed

[burt ragio]

My friends Marauder did not pass massachusetts auto inspection. He has long tube header & delete secondary cats. Vendors tune for gear change ect. We do not believe this has anything to do with the tune. The car has developed a strong exhaust smell LONG AFTER the tune was up loaded in the car. He now has to bring the car to a special place for a inspection only twelve in the state. Called a Motorist Assistance Center. My question is will they do a visual for the second set of cats ? If he removes the custom tune and reinstalls the oem tune can he use the hand held X-cal 2 to help diagnost emission problem ?
The print out showed emissions results: failed
All safty inspection result: passed
On board diognostic (obd) test results: passed
On board diognostic(obd) monitor results:
catalyst monitor non support
catalyst heater monitor non support
Evaporative system monitor non support
secondary air systems non support
A/C systems monitor non support
O2 sensor monitor non support
O2 sensor heater monitor non support
EGR monitor non support

[fastblackmerc]

In N.C. they do a visual inspection but most people that check don't know there is supposed to be a second set of cats. As long as they see one set they pass me.

[Paul T. Casey]

Probably, since the reason for the fail is the non-support codes. The emissions tester failed to detect the monitoring circuts (hence the non-support codes) for those items. One way to fix this is an old trick a buddy of mine did. Take a camera to an inspection station. Photograph the great big sign that looks like this years inspection sticker. Measure the size of someone's sticker who hasn't removed/inerted their emission equipment. Develop the photo you took to the size of the sticker and place in appropriate spot on windshield. Obey every traffic law on the books because if you get pulled over, I'm pretty sure the officer won't have much of a sense of humor about this. My bud was real talented. He took his pictures with a Polaroid, and usually got it close enough on the first shot. I ran one of his "specials" for a while myself back in the mid eighties on my Roadrunner until I could find a less than scrupulous inspection station.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

^ LOL that is really funny

[burt ragio]

Some people can get real creative. Was his name Roco or Vinie ?
I thinking if I reload my stock tune. Then bring the car to this Motorist Assist Shop something will come up on their scan that has malfunctioned under the non support title. I can then get what ever is wrong fixed then return for inspection. This is my therory. I just hope no not hope but prey they don't come out and ask where are your secondary cats. I will have to say the last time I looked they were there.

[Marauderjack]

This whole emissions thing is getting bizarre!!!:mad2:

I would return your tune to "stock" and drive it a bunch so the adaptive learning can adjust itself and hope for the best??:cool:

How soon do you need to go back in??:confused:

[MM_BKK]

If you put the stock tune back on, you'll also need to get a couple of MIL eliminators to satisfy the downstream O2 sensor inputs since the rear cats were deleted.

And you'll also need to follow the procedure to clear the P1000 code after you install the tune because then the KAM (Keep Alive Memory) is wiped clean. It is a real PITA !
Otherwise, when they plug in to you OBDII port they will get Emission Systems Not Ready.

Here is the link to How to clear P1000 code (http://www.obdii.com/drivecycleford.html)

[burt ragio]

I returned the car to the stock tune. It is amazing how a tune can transform a car. What a differance I don't know how anyone could remain stock.

[burt ragio]

What are MIL eliminators ? Are they the o2 wire extentions used to reconnect the 2nd set o2 sensors ?

[MM_BKK]

They are just dummy sensors that are used to trick the EEC to think that the O2 sensors are working even though they're gone.
They're normally used on rear O2 sensors if they are not disabled in the tune.

[Glenn]

Clearing the P1000 monitor ready code on a MM is NOT easy. It could take you weeks of normal driving. Ask me I know.

Glenn

[burt ragio]

Isn't there an easier way to clear the P1000 monitor ready code ? Like disconnect the battery cable for a few mins.

[burt ragio]

Were do I get these MIL eliminators what is a part # ?

[1stMerc]

Isn't there an easier way to clear the P1000 monitor ready code ? Like disconnect the battery cable for a few mins.

In a word No, that starts the "not ready cycle all over again. As Glen said all you can do is get out and drive it...a lot both highway and city. If it's cold where you are some of them will take even longer to reach the ready state to register on the conputer.

[Paul T. Casey]

Were do I get these MIL eliminators what is a part # ?

I believe these are the correct ones.



http://www.americanmuscle.com/stmilel.html

I'm not sure if this will help the myriad of other issues you have.

[MM03MOK]

In Oct. 2008, shortly after the new MA requirements went into effect, I took Blackbird in for her annual inspection. It failed because the OBDII had been altered because of it's original chip tune. The fix was to leave the SCT cable attached to the OBDII and the garage attached their equipment to the cable. All worked fine. No other issues and she passed her redo and passed again Oct. 2009. We have the cobra manifolds and high flow cats, along with the Trilogy kit.

[burt ragio]

Thank you for the source on the mil eliminators. Doesn't our forum have a set of mil elininators we pass around the country at inspection time ?
So, this is what I am thinking. Return to stock tune. Second one of two things to start 1st attemp to clear by the P1000 if It can be done using my x cal 2. If not 2nd drive the car all over the country side for minimum 200 miles. Then go to the inspection station as they instructed. They then release the lock as they have put on my vin # at all inspection stations in the state. Then take the car to the Mercury dealer bend over for a large repair bill. Then I am thinking by this time a code will come up with my over lapping problem. I think it is one of the two check valves with evaporative emmissions not working. Get that fixed. Then get the car inspected. My question is without the mil eliminators installed at inspection that it will through a code on secondary cats ?

[FordNut]

This is going to be interesting... Lots of Marauder owners are going to have to figure out how to pass emissions testing in the near future.

First, you can not clear a P1000 code. If you reset codes, unplug the battery, or load a tune it will actually set the P1000 code. To get rid of it, you have to go through the drive cycle like Glenn said. It may take over a week of driving in various situations to clear it.

If you reload the stock tune, it will turn on the rear O2 sensors. With the headers and single cats on each side, the rear O2 sensors will probably cause errors. Maybe not, if the single high flow cats are as efficient as the dual OEM cats. However, you will have to install the MIL eliminators if there is a problem and just in case it may be a good idea to put them on to begin with because if the rear O2 sensors throw a code you'll have to reset it and start all over on the drive cycle to clear the P1000 code.

Then drive it and see if it throws any different codes and deal with those problems as they come up.

[Dark_Knight7096]

Well I can't pass inspection, in the computer when they hook up it comes out with:
Secondary 02 Sensor: Not Ready
Secondary 02 Sensor Warmer: Not Ready
Something I can't Remember: Not Ready
Something Else I Can't Remember: Not Ready
EGR Valve: Not Ready

so it always comes out with a big ol fail, I haven't even had an inspection sticker (fail or otherwise) in my window in over a year and a half. Found a remedy though, I have my Marauder COA, Grundy will insure my MM, as soon as I renew my registration Collector Car Status inspection exemption, HERE I COME!

[martyo]

Probably, since the reason for the fail is the non-support codes. The emissions tester failed to detect the monitoring circuts (hence the non-support codes) for those items. One way to fix this is an old trick a buddy of mine did. Take a camera to an inspection station. Photograph the great big sign that looks like this years inspection sticker. Measure the size of someone's sticker who hasn't removed/inerted their emission equipment. Develop the photo you took to the size of the sticker and place in appropriate spot on windshield. Obey every traffic law on the books because if you get pulled over, I'm pretty sure the officer won't have much of a sense of humor about this. My bud was real talented. He took his pictures with a Polaroid, and usually got it close enough on the first shot. I ran one of his "specials" for a while myself back in the mid eighties on my Roadrunner until I could find a less than scrupulous inspection station.

In Georgia they transmit the inspection electronically to the tag office, so if you don't pass you don't get tags.

None of my old skool cars need emissions, which is just more reason to love 'em!

[FordNut]

Is it possible to get a pre-test? A hookup to the test equipment that will let you know if everything is ok for the real test, but it wouldn't transmit VIN info to Big Brother?

[MM03MOK]

Is it possible to get a pre-test? A hookup to the test equipment that will let you know if everything is ok for the real test, but it wouldn't transmit VIN info to Big Brother?
I don't believe so in MA. They have to enter your VIN to start the process.

[massacre]

Issues like this are exactly why I'm happy my Merc is a '93.
In MA I don't even have to do emissions anymore, safety only FTW!
They do a visual but I got a buddy so that's not an issue.
Really getting tired of driving in MA, it can be such a hassle to get a sticker.
Like when I had to put my car up on the rollers, and in the middle of the test the computer would crash and I'd have to come back later, happened to me a bunch of times.

[RacerX]

Probably, since the reason for the fail is the non-support codes. The emissions tester failed to detect the monitoring circuts (hence the non-support codes) for those items. One way to fix this is an old trick a buddy of mine did. Take a camera to an inspection station. Photograph the great big sign that looks like this years inspection sticker. Measure the size of someone's sticker who hasn't removed/inerted their emission equipment. Develop the photo you took to the size of the sticker and place in appropriate spot on windshield. Obey every traffic law on the books because if you get pulled over, I'm pretty sure the officer won't have much of a sense of humor about this. My bud was real talented. He took his pictures with a Polaroid, and usually got it close enough on the first shot. I ran one of his "specials" for a while myself back in the mid eighties on my Roadrunner until I could find a less than scrupulous inspection station.
NOT FUNNY! I got arrested for this in 93!!! NOT worth the risk. It was a State Trooper and he happened to be looking at the back of my "Sticker" from my driver's open window and saw something about the back of it that didn't jive... nice fine and a misdemenor...

[RacerX]

BTW! Yes, those are the right MIL elims, but, you do not need them even if the last O2 sensors are on and your REAR cats are gone! The exhaust passes the rear O2s BEFORE it hits the second set of cats so there is NO way to tell if you have the rear cat delete!!!

[Paul T. Casey]

In Georgia they transmit the inspection electronically to the tag office, so if you don't pass you don't get tags.

None of my old skool cars need emissions, which is just more reason to love 'em!

In Rhode Island, you're supposed to get a newly purchased vehicle inspected within 24K miles or 2 years, whichever comes first. I did the Marauder once, at about 24K miles, right before I did the header install. I'm supposed to get it re-done every 2 years after that, but there's no avenue for the state to check on these. On a used car however, once the bill of sale is sent to the state, you have 10 days to get it inspected. If not, they cancel your registration. Going through this hassle right now with my wife's new purchase (2000 BMW). Had a few issues the dealer was fixing to close the deal, but they reported the sale. Hence she got her letter of cancelation yesterday.

[69428SCJ]

Hearing these stories really makes me glad that my cars are registered in Ohio where we don't have to go all this emissions testing crap (unless you live in Cleveland).

[FordNut]

If the current administration gets their way, everybody will have to get smog checks.

[69428SCJ]

And that is part of the reason why I have so many older cars...because of their emissions exemptions

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

^the exemption status can change though, don't get too secure

[RF Overlord]

Burt, call me in the morning...I have a scan tool that will display I/M readiness states and drive-cycle status. We can load your stock tune and see if that fixes the "non-supported" issue.

[69428SCJ]

^the exemption status can change though, don't get too secure

This is true, but how would they handle the cars that pre-date emissions standards? Would I be required to put cats on my cats? Outlaw carbs? While I'm not disagreeing with you, if that were to happen it would be a very slippery slope...

[FordNut]

I believe smog pumps were installed on most cars way back into the 60's. Although they may not be able to make you put cats on them, they can inspect to make sure you have all the OEM pollution controls installed and functional. Used to be a big problem with California cars, the old pollution pumps we threw away here in the south were worth big bucks out there.

[burt ragio]

For years we as hot roders have faced many challenges. We stretch the limits and take risk. We love what we do. We get a great high before a mod at the planning stage during the installation process and after feeling the results. It is great therapy. As far as I am concerned this is just a bump it the road. With the wealth of knowldge & creativity we will find a way to keep or modify or mods. If that's not the case and I have to add a second set of high flow cats I will have to take that hit. I can't imagine it hurting my performance to any noticable degree.

[1stMerc]

Is it possible to get a pre-test? A hookup to the test equipment that will let you know if everything is ok for the real test, but it wouldn't transmit VIN info to Big Brother?

The dealer can do it for you. They're computer can tell if all the sensors are at the ready state.

[burt ragio]

The dealer can do it for you. They're computer can tell if all the sensors are at the ready state.

RF Overload has again offered his help. Bob has a scan tool that may simulate all same tests for sensor readings at inspection time. With the stock tune installed we will keep our fingers crossed.

[RacerX]

Guys, even if they are turned on, you do not need to worry about the second set of cats! You have your primary O2s, primary cats, secondary O2s THEN your secondary cats. Without the rear cats and all sensors turned on, you do not need to worry. There is no sensor downstream of the rear cats to determine that there are no rear cats!!!

[FordNut]

One possible issue with the 2nd set of O2 sensors is temperature related. With long tube headers they are so far away from the heat source they either won't get up to proper operating temperature or they won't do it in the time alloted in the program. Some of the timing can be adjusted in the tune.

[massacre]

IIRC the 2nd set of O2s are more for show, and should not throw a code. Could be wrong, though.

[RF Overlord]

With Burt's custom tune, all 11 I/M monitors come up as "n/a" on my scan tool. With his "stock" tune, they all work correctly. Something in his custom tune is shutting off the monitors. He's going to contact his tune vendor and see if that can be fixed. In the mean time, he'll go get retested with the stock tune and should pass no problem.

[massacre]

^^ Good news :beer:

[Dennis Reinhart]

My friends Marauder did not pass massachusetts auto inspection. He has long tube header & delete secondary cats. Vendors tune for gear change ect. We do not believe this has anything to do with the tune. The car has developed a strong exhaust smell LONG AFTER the tune was up loaded in the car. He now has to bring the car to a special place for a inspection only twelve in the state. Called a Motorist Assistance Center. My question is will they do a visual for the second set of cats ? If he removes the custom tune and reinstalls the oem tune can he use the hand held X-cal 2 to help diagnost emission problem ?
The print out showed emissions results: failed
All safty inspection result: passed
On board diognostic (obd) test results: passed
On board diognostic(obd) monitor results:
catalyst monitor non support
catalyst heater monitor non support
Evaporative system monitor non support
secondary air systems non support
A/C systems monitor non support
O2 sensor monitor non support
O2 sensor heater monitor non support
EGR monitor non support


All this can be corrected, by any good SCT dealer