How do I get my car to pass the smog test?

Question

So I found this awesome deal on a Mitsubishi 3000GT that I want to buy; the only downside is that it won't pass the smog test. HOWEVER, I've been told that there are solutions for rectifying this problem. Someone told me that there's a liquid you can buy and put in your car to make it pass. Someone else told me that you simply need to replace the catalytic converter. Assuming that this GT is completely stock with no previous smog-pass attempts, does anyone know a solution? And if so, can you provide me with a link to a webpage that outlines the procedure? Thanks.

Answer 1

How close is it to passing? When I worked at the dealer, sometimes an oil change (usually did the trick if hydrocarbons were just a little high) and a good road test (let it heat up for 15-20 minutes. DON'T turn it off if you can help it) is enough to bring it down a enough to pass. I've seen those little bottles of "Smog Test Juice", but don't know if they work. It would have to be pretty concentrated stuff to do much.

If nobody has been screwing around with it, this shouldn't be too hard to get through by buying mostly tune-up/normal maintenance parts.

Replacing the cat will SOMETIMES take care of it, but there's usually an underlying problem that really needs to be addressed.

By the way, in a lot of states, the SELLER is required to provide the buyer with a passing safety inspection and emission inspection that is less than 30 days old when the vehicle is sold. Your state may vary, but if you go to your state's DMV website this should be spelled out for you. If your state requires this, let the seller pay for making sure it passes.

Answer 2

You need to find out where it is in the smog. It could be something as simple as replacing plugs wires and doing an oil change. If you have an injector that is leaking it wouldn't matter what you added to the fuel it would still fail. You need to find out where it is still on the smog scale. They measure HO CO CO2 NO and O2. The HO CO and NO are the three that will keep you from passing. HO is Hydrocarbons, CO is Carbon monoxide, and NO is noxious oxide (this is the acid rain pollutant.) then you have a high HO you have a miss in the motor. meaning too much fuel is getting in to the chamber (Spark plugs need replacing or a leaking injector, or the oil needs changing, to much blow by) if you have a High CO you have too little fuel getting in to the chamber (Running lean. replace fuel filter, air filter, and possibly fuel pump or O2 Sensors and Cat.) Once you address these issue it should pass with not problem. Putting a band aid on the wound when you need to get stitches is not the right way to solve the problem. Find out where you at and correct it. You'll only get better gas mileage and better performance once it is corrected.

Answer 3

Don't listen to these other idiots...bla bla bla ..tune up.. cat.converter...ect. JUST BRIBE THE MECHANIC ALOT CHEAPER THAN A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTOR: $400AND UP!!! OR A MAJOR TUNE-UP GIVE THE GUY $50 TO PASS THE TEST AND BE DONE WITH IT!! IF THERE IS REALLY SOMTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR(FYI THIS IS WHY SOME STATES DON'T DO THE TESTS ANY MORE..TOO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO SELL YOU LOTS OF HIGH DOLLAR SERVICES AND/OR PARTS YOU DON'T NEED (WHEN THE REASON YOU FAIL THE TEST IS BECAUSE THE GUY DOING THE SMOG TEST UNPLUGS A SENSOR AND THUS YOU FAIL THE TEST, THEN THEY TELL YOU IT'S GOING TO BE BIG BUCKS)

Answer 4

Always make sure the vehicle was recently tuned-up(major). That way the only fail reason would be a catalytic convertor or a mechanical engine problem. Only go to a smog shop that will pre-test your car first.

Answer 5

Re post youre question with nore info. Engine size, year model, injected, what were smog readings, do you have a check engine lite on, who inspected the cat, does the engine run, etc. ??? If it fails smog the tech. should tell you why.

Answer 6

you can try fuel additives and cleaners they might work, but a good tune-up and oil change can do wonders for a cars smog readings.

Make sure the EGR system is working correctly, and check to see if the cat looks like its in bad shape (might be time to replace)

Answer 7

take off your exhaust manifold and if its not a fuel injection. Put on headers. OR straight pipe the son of a *****. I would add a 3-4 inch exhaust tale pipe to make that bastard roar loud