Failed to Pass Inspection...(Need suggestions!)

  • Thread starter Thread starter MedigoFlame
  • 44 comments
  • 4,877 views
MedigoFlame

MedigoFlame

Premium
Messages
6,280
United States
Maine
Messages
MedigoFlameX
Not sure if this is a thread worth making but... Feeling a bit odd about posting this real car problem in a game forum. >_> Today my uncle took my 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback to get inspected. And it failed... Apparently (as my uncle tells me), the car didn't have good emissions. (Said to be awfully smokey) Meaning I have either replace all the valves OR do an entire engine swap. I'm not really a mechanic myself and lack the knowledge needed for knowing sensible choices. I do apologize for the lack of information I can give. I'd like to know about any suggestions that people who are mechanics would suggest to get my Subie to pass inspection. It would help a lot! :D

Specs:
http://www.cars101.com/outback_archive95-97.html
(It's the 1997 model,for those who didn't read the beginning, so I believe it's the 2.5L)

For engines, I was browsing some sites and came across this... Of course, I know there's always the option to go to junkyards or something.
http://www.used-auto-engines.com/usedenginesales/subaru-legacy-1997-store.html
Not sure if it's something worth looking or trusting.
 
I know a method of passing emissions, you add a gallon of diesel into your fuel takn and then take it into the emissions facility and it will pass.
 
JER_CREST
I know a method of passing emissions, you add a gallon of diesel into your fuel takn and then take it into the emissions facility and it will pass.
Click to expand...

DO NOT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO THIS EVER!!!

Does the car exhibit any other symptoms besides smokiness? Changing valves or a whole motor is a last resort for failing emissions, I would think the most that may need to be done is a new catalytic converter but it could be something as simple as a check engine light.
 
When you go in for a emissions and it fails you get a print out of why it failed. And if your car has the check engine light on it will always fail no matter have small the problem is.
And do you drive the car on a regular basics if not drive around for a bit before taking it in.
 
RocZX
When you go in for a emissions and it fails you get a print out of why it failed. And if your car has the check engine light on it will always fail no matter have small the problem is
Click to expand...

👍 that's more what I'm thinking although usually what they tell you is what specific emission is too high and by how much (example oxides of nitrogen by 600 ppm or whatever). At least that's the case in MD.
 
Unfortunately, my uncle never gave me the paper on the inspection. And it does have the check engine light... I do drive the car on a daily basis to and from school and work. I'm guessing I should get the codes for it and check out what's wrong. >_>
 
MedigoFlame
Unfortunately, my uncle never gave me the paper on the inspection. And it does have the check engine light... I do drive the car on a daily basis to and from school and work. I'm guessing I should get the codes for it and check out what's wrong. >_>
Click to expand...

If the car drives well then I doubt you'll need anything major. It could be something simple like an o2 sensor or some other sensor.
 
land sea air
If the car drives well then I doubt you'll need anything major. It could be something simple like an o2 sensor or some other sensor.
Click to expand...

Would it really be just those sensors causing the failure of the emissions test? Or do you mean that only for the check engine light.
 
Just bring it down to Texas. They'll pass anything down here!:lol:

If you don't know what the issue is with the check engine light, just go to any auto parts store and they'll do a free diagnostics check on your car. Be careful if you plan on driving it past experation. I got lucky with mine. My inspection tag expired in August and I didn't bring my Tundra in for inspection until yesterday. :lol:
 
MedigoFlame
Would it really be just those sensors causing the failure of the emissions test? Or do you mean that only for the check engine light.
Click to expand...

Typically it will automatically fail if the check engine light is on because most states check for codes when they hook the car up. If the car is running okay and the light is on then a sensor (such as O2 or Knock) could easily be the problem. Plus if those sensors aren't working and the ECU and engine aren't adjusting accordingly it could also explain the poor emissions results.
 
Another issue I have is my uncle's rather poor English... May be one reason I'm lacking the info needed for a decent understanding of the problem. Another issue with the car is that it shakes a lot at idle. (not sure if that had any effect on the results on the failure). I'll try and see if I can get more info.
 
Do a tune up, 02 sensor, plugs, wires, fresh oil. And drive around a bit like others have said since that with bring your current cat to operating temperature.
 
hehe have fun doing the plugs and wires on a boxer:sly:
 
That car surly has an diagnostic port (odb2). Go to a garage and get a read out. You will know in 5 minutes what is not working.

It could be a tiny thing (lambda) or it could be more severe.

What colour is the smoke? Look on the oil cap, what colour does the oil have?
At how much does the car idle (rpm)?

First go get a diagnostic read out. It is 5-20 bucks or free if you are a good customer or know the garage.
Then tell us what is not working.
 
How is the fuel economy?

Do you think it is bad compared to what it should be?

See if you can get a reprint of the emission test paper.
 
My mom's truck failed inspection last week for basically the same reason (runs fine, Check Engine light came on during test), and it turned out to be the O2 sensor going bad that was to blame.
 
land sea air
I would think the most that may need to be done is a new catalytic converter but it could be something as simple as a check engine light.
Click to expand...

My 2000 Forester failed it's MOT on emissions, it was solved by a new cat-back. Don't try a get hold of a OEM Subaru part, they're hellishly expensive for older Subarus. Get a local exhaust fabricator to knock one up.
 
Have you done a DIY tune up yet? I think it would be similar to some Imprezas and they are a major pain. Wouldn't be surprised if it was difficult on the legacy though there may be a bit more room under there.
 
Don't really know my fuel economy. Probably would have been best to take note of it last time I filled up... The fuel gauge is broken. The Legacy's engine bay is quite a mess for working on it. The car idles at 500RPM and the smoke produced is white/grey, not blue. The smoke isn't really noticeable until the temperature is low outside, which is enough to make clouds... I believe it's last tune up was a month or two ago, done by my dad. The thing is, the last time he did it was when it was not running. X_X (Sorry about the messy response, trying to answer the questions at once)
 
you mentioned a rough idle, how does it run when driving normally?
 
sounds like the first step would be to take it somewhere so they can do an OBDII scan and see why the check engine light is on. From there you can fix whatever causes the light (maybe CEL or some other sensor) and then get the light cleared and the car reinspected.
 
My dads Lotus Elise failed its MOT last year (because my dads car had a sports cat), the guy at a specialist lotus place just used the values from anothere car for my dads aswell so it passed. If there is generally nothing big wrong then try to co-erse your garage into maybe tweaking the rules slightly, if you are a loyal customer then they may do it.
 
Take it to an Advance Auto or something. The one around here will do a scan for free so you know what's throwing the CEL. And usually it is an O2 censor or something.
 
My MR2 ran rough for a while until I rebuilt the distributor. New seals, cap, rotor. If its missing at idle that may be something to look into.
 
Does the car use any oil? That'd be an indication of what the smoke is, and if you'd have to re-build the engine. If it does NOT, then you're probably talking O2 sensor, evap emissions system, or something like that.
 
Luckily I was able to find my dad's OBDII scanner, so I'll check the codes tomorrow when there's daylight. Not sure about the oil, that's something else that would have to be checked.
 
JER_CREST
I know a method of passing emissions, you add a gallon of diesel into your fuel takn and then take it into the emissions facility and it will pass.
Click to expand...

Except your car become a very large paperweight until all the diesel fuel is cleaned out of the tank, engine, and cats.

Which makes it as useful as your post.
 
MedigoFlame
Luckily I was able to find my dad's OBDII scanner, so I'll check the codes tomorrow when there's daylight. Not sure about the oil, that's something else that would have to be checked.
Click to expand...

With what you said about your smoke, oil and engine should be still ok.
You can also smell it in the fumes with a little experience.
I would say after you answered the questions that it is a sensor thing, which is not to expensive or hard to DIY if it isn't a hidden senor where you need to fracture your hand to get it loose.

My tip is on the lambda sensor (precat sensor)
 
I used the OBDII scanner to find the problems this morning. Turns out I have the codes: P0130 (O2 Sensor malfunction), P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire), P0325 (Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction), P0141 (O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction -Bank 1 Sensor 2-). So I suppose all I'd need to do is replace the O2 sensors?

*ibo* S3 Racer
With what you said about your smoke, oil and engine should be still ok.
You can also smell it in the fumes with a little experience.
I would say after you answered the questions that it is a sensor thing, which is not to expensive or hard to DIY if it isn't a hidden senor where you need to fracture your hand to get it loose.

My tip is on the lambda sensor (precat sensor)
Click to expand...

I am able to smell the fumes pretty well from the car...
 
Back