CA Smog :-(

I think the 02 sensor recommendation is a good one.

 

You can find shops to overlook mods, but they have to hook it up to the computer. If a monitor isn't ready or a CEL is on, you can't pass. That's one of the few things they can't fib.

 

Should I replace both O2 or just the down stream one?

I'm so tired of this lol

 

Yes, that would be the cheapest, easiest part to replace first.
Either your 02 sensors are bad or clogged.

 

I guess I'll give it a try this weekend. Ill replace one. see what happens.

 

probably doesn't hurt to pull the O2s and look at them, maybe they are caked with something or just bad. I think there is a procedure for testing them as well with the multi-meter.

heck, if they are bad at this point you can try cleaning them and see if it throws a code. but definitely pull them and check first.

is there anything in the Toyota manuals that says why the monitor would not become "ready" ?

 

Ill have to search around.
I'm not getting a check engine light right now.

 

New O2 sensors

Catalyst monitor still not ready to pass smog. no CEL I have done the drive cycle a million times in the last 6 months.

I'm so over this shit. Putting the truck up for sale this weekend as is.

It shouldnt be this hard the smog place just says (keep driving it) Registration has been expired since DEC. All my fee's are paid. I cant keep driving it around on expired tags.

 

Ahh the joys of living in a state and county that doesn't require smog! (Sorry I'm feeling blessed) California does indeed suck when it comes to smog.

 

I just did a quick google and came up with this: Seems relevant.

 

I have read that whole thing
Maybe an o2 Simulator would help? I dont know
I dont have the time and the money to keep throwing parts at it and going back and forth to the smog shop. my Registration have been expired since DEC.
I cant afford to get pulled over and get another ticket.

 

What I got out of that link is your cat is probably marginal and not working as well as it should. Not bad yet though.

Have you tried running some cat cleaner or "guaranteed to pass" smog stuff? It might help just enough to set the code.

Also maybe an injector system cleaner like techron.

Also as a seller you're on the hook for getting it smog'd prior to selling it. So unless you find someone cool to sell it to, your on the hook.

 

I did run a bottle of injector cleaner through it and was able to fix a misfire on start up. Clogged injector I guess its good now

I have not tried a can of CAT cleaner. I get paid Friday I'll order one and see what happens.

 

I've heard good things about Cataclean helping a vehicle with an iffy catalytic converter pass the smog test, could be worth a shot.

 

1st: Why aren't you running oil in your K&N? Probably not related to your issue, but it's probably not helping matters either.

But yeah, CA sucks sometimes with the regs. I've failed smog twice in 10+ years. Once because I had wrapped the K&N intake tube (I refuse to call it a "cold air intake") and the guy couldn't see the sticker. Then, several years later I apparently needed a "new" sticker. The guy said he knew I was legit, but needed to call K&N and get a new sticker for some stupid reason.

Flash back 15 or so years with my 86 22RTE 4Runner that died while getting smogged due to a faulty distributor, and the turbo leaked oil, but it passed 1st time, every time, no problem.

I get it, fewer POS cars on the road is a good thing, but when you don't pass smog because of a sticker, that's pretty lame. Just test the emissions and look for oil leaks...

 

Sounds totaly stupid. But cheaper then a new cat and totaly worth a shot. I'll order one friday

 

I always have the K/N oiled

I just put it in dry after I cleaned the mass air flow sensor. while it was trying to get this to pass smog. but it made no difference. It's lightly oiled now.

 

If I can get it to pass.
I'll be registering it at my buddys house so I dont have to deal with this crap any more

 

ahh gotcha. thought you meant you put it in with no oil as SOP.

 

I agree but my father used to do smogs and more than once it was enough to get a car (pre OBDII) to pass the sniff test. Super weird.

In fact in one of his certification class' the instructor demonstrated why it shouldn't work but he still recommended it as first alternative.