Failed Emission test, what to do? and safety check question.

[renhui]

Hi guys, I am going to sell my 92 corrolla due to moving. I took my car in for emission test last week but it failed at the NO content. Limit is 550 and mine reading was 1345. What do you think the problem might be.
FYI, I bought the car only one and half year ago and it passed the emission without any problem at that time. since then I have replaced front pipe and extension pipe.

Is there any tip in order to pass an e-test?

Also a quick question about safety check. I was suggested to replace an extension pipe which goes between the muffler and front pipe, which will cost me 200 bucks. I was told there was some holes on it, does that have anything to do with the car safety though?

My car has 200k on the engine and 50k on the transmission, it's in overall good condition with minor paint off/rust on the body and good breaks. How much do you think I can get for it? Red book gives between 1000 and 2100.

Thank a lot!

Any input will be appreciated.

[kcorscadden]

The only really tip I can give ya is give your car a good run just before the test to clean out any of the crap that is in there. Simply starting the car and driving to the mechanic or whoever did your test may not have been sufficient enough and thus why the car failed.

If you don't pass then, then have a mechanic look at it to see why it didn't pass.

[that_staples_guy]

I know a few places where you can get them done and you'll pass for sure

of course they'll charge $190.00 extra for some 'other things' that needed to be done.

[mau108]

take it for a nice spirited run along a free way for a good 15-20 minutes prior to the test, this will warm up the cat and should reduce those no levels.

[DragonZealot]

First thing to check is EGR system if NOx exceeds limit. Fully warming the car before emission will only help HC and CO. Actually fully warming the car will actually make NOx worse because NOx is due to high combustion chamber temperature.

You have to get someone to check this over.

[ah802]

The suggestion that others make re: warming it up to operation temperatures before doing the test is a good one, but flies in the face of reality when garages stack their appointments and your car sits a couple of hours before it gets into the test.

Your car is seriously off...(no warm-up time will pass it) you need quite a tune up with parts. Some suggest that you can get any vehicle through the 'E' test with a new catalytic converter, oil change, spark plugs and erg valve.. which at the year your machine is... forget it, you'll not get your $ out.

Holes in the exhaust is flirting with carbon monoxide poisoning.. re: death.

Take the unfit cert and drive it until the lic expires, or sell/wreck for parts.