QuestionHi all, first time posting. Bought a car that had some serious from a guy who promised he would help me out. He lied.
2 days before selling the car to me, it failed an emissions test, which he failed to mention. I took it in last week and the only part it failed was the NOx test. CO limit is 2.0000 ppm, and my first test failed at 2.0012 ppm and the second test failed at 2.1630 ppm. I've been told this is very, very close. I did the first test on a half tank of gas with the engine warm and the second test with a warm engine and quarter tank of gas.
Mechanic checked the error code the day after I bought it and he said it came back as O2 sensor and cat converter, but I've been told Subarus before 2000 had issues with the altitude and the O2 sensor giving off false check engine lights.
Whats my best option? Should I take it to the mechanic? I'm a student teacher so not a ton of cash just laying around and I don't want to pay for a $100 diagnostic if I don't have to. O2 sensors, EGR valve, and cat are even more expensive. Since I'm so close to passing the test, is there anything I can do myself? I've heard it might be possible to clean the EGR valve? If so, how? Thanks.
AnswerDavid,
I wasn't aware that any state still tested for NOX on a 1996 and newer car most states just do a OBDII test which is plugging in and checking for fault codes which it sounds like you may have anyways.
not sure about the altitude thing on pre 2000 model I have never heard of that, but I do know that when the real solution is unknown sometimes things that cant easily be remedied are blamed.
NOX is typically about combustion temperature, so what needs to happen is a diagnoses to determine the correct course of action to lower the NOX readings. A properly functioning car really shouldn't be at the high end of the range anyways. There are a multitude of things that can cause this, I have really no way of telling you very time it needs this or that, but i suspect the EGR is not working properly as the result of a failed transducer, or solenoid.
I understand the just buying it thing, and the finance thing. But what I want to point out is if the NOX readings are higher than they should be and you don't fix the car the longevity of the engine may suffer and then you will have received no real value of any kind for your investment. What I am trying to say is you have more wrong than just failing a emissions test. It would be like a doctor prescribing you blood pressure meds to just lower the pressure little for now rather than test.
I would seek out a Good Subaru Shop, let them perform a diagnoses and more importantly a post vehicle inspection and see where you are with the whole car and the real cause of the NOX issue if you were lied to about one thing maybe the whole car is suspect?
Justin
