The abandon your SUV thread reminded me that the inspection on the 95 Rodeo my wife drives expired in December. My grandmother just had her 95 Ford Ranger inspected and it failed the emissions portion of the inspection, which has me concerned about our Rodeo. I'm already taking the Rodeo to an inspector that will over look minor things that others would fail you over (like a crack in the windshield or tire wear) but I know he has no options when it comes to emissions. Any fuel additive I can add or other cheap short term fix I can use to ensure my wife's rodeo will ace the emissions test? I can't afford a big car repair bill right now.
Within the last year or so, the emissions standards have become very very strict. Based on my expertise, there is no temp fix. Adding a fuel supplement will not really help. You are probably going to have to fork out for a new catalytic converter. Hope that helps.
When my buddy from work went, he barely failed...the guy at the inspection place told him to go get some gum-out and when he came back he was low enough to pass. Perhaps he was very close to the margin.
That is very odd. It possible for a vehicle to have different emmissions readings without changing or adding anything. Maybe thats why he ended up passing. Product like gum-out and STP really don't affect emmissions readings though. They are primarily cleaners that break down carbon in the injectors to increase fuel economy. When a vehicle fails an emmission's test, it is usually one of serveral things: EGR valve M.A.P. sensor Vapor canniser Oxygen sensor Catalytic converter Muffler Additives like that do not help these parts, although it helps sub-par fuel burn cleaner and reduces carbon deposits.
The windshield thing failed my car last time. They can be so picky! I can totally see through this, when it's bright outside and I line my eye up with the hole(s)!
Yes it would. It is all about carbon buildup. Fuel additives help prevent that and break it down. Fuel treatmens do exactly what it sounds like. They treat the fuel, reducing the amount of carbon the burnt fuel leaves, thus, keeping your injectors clean, thus, improving engine performance. Like I said, they don't really affect emmissions all that much, although Im sure they have some effect (small). Using sub-standard gas is not going to cause you to fail an emmissions test, thefore, a fuel treatment really wont help you go from failing to passing. However, gum-out is not real expensive. Its worth a shot.
I think I'm going to get one of these, a Metro bus driver outfit, and then ride up to a crowded bus stop just to see the look on everyone's face.
