Ca smog question (gross polluter)

Hello and thanks in advance for any help. I just bought a 99 tacoma PreRunner trd with a v6. Truck just turned over 200k and I just tried to smog it today and it came back as a gross polluter.I am confused as the truck just passed four months prior to this test. My question is what could have happened in such a short amount of time for it to become a gross polluter. When I got it I ran sea foam through the induction system because I noticed on the last test the hc only passed by one point and I wanted to be sure it would pass again. I don’t know what the conditions were when the first test was done but it seems the sea foam did help with hydro carbon but I am wondering if it may have clogged up my cat? Any input on my situation would be greatly appreciated.

 

I know little about smog testing. I do know seafoam shouldn’t effect the results. Tens of thousands of people in Ca. use it all the time with no smog problems. Hopefully someone who works with smog testing will chime in. I think one of those 2 results is incorrect. I’d take it back to the first place and show them both results and have them retest. If it did suddenly change to a gross polluter then my best guess would be that there is some catastrophic failure of the catalytic converter. Talk to a mechanic and see if he can shed any light on this. I’m anxious to hear what others say.

 

Judging by the name of the tech on the paper, I would say an extra $100 would get the truck to pass.

 

I showed the smog tech the previous results and he was suprised as well but didn’t have much to say. He ran some pos Geo tracker before mine so I hope he didn’t mix them up some how. I just didn’t think a cat would suddenly fail like that. If it did I probably have other problems on my hands.

 

Unfortunately now I am limited to test only (s.t.a.r.) shops and you can’t give your left nut to get anything like that done.

 

I had this issue (not on a Taco). It was a bad cat and a vacuum leak.

I'm sure on a taco you'd throw a code with a vacuum leak...

So I second a bad cat.

 

Would it not throw a code from having a bad cat? I noticed the 02 was in front of the cat so maybe the truck doesn’t regulate the cat being that it’s an older model? Also would the cat go from good to terrible in that short of time?

 

My guess is that the previous owner paid for it to pass. I used to have my guy in California that would pass anything for me for a fifty. But they make stuff you can throw in the gas and if you get it nice and warmed up you should pass

 

I do need an oil change anyways. The plugs were just changed but I’m a little concerned the sea foam could have fouled them because it doesn’t seem like it’s running as well as it did before the sea foam.

 

I mean I guess it’s possible but he was a 70 year old wealthy man who bought it brand new. I really don’t see him doing that but who knows.... I have heard good things about that guaranteed pass stuff so maybe I’ll give that a try. I probably should have drivin the truck a lot longer before the test.

 

I have heard good things about this stuff. Might be worth a try. I bought some at my local Vato Zone.

http://www.crcindustries.com/produc...74-emissions-test-formula-12-fl-oz-05063.html

 

Yea I was looking into this stuff. Thanks man I think I’ll give it a whirl.

 

I’m thinking most likely catalytic converter failure. Doubt any additive will fix that here’s an article of reasons for their failure
http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/causes-catalytic-converter-go-bad/

There are others too if you search the net.

 

Well this really stood out...
“Overuse of cleaners like fuel injector cleaner and Seafoam. Sure, you think you’re doing your engine a favor by using those cleaners. But where do you think all that crud goes? As soon as it clears the exhaust manifold it goes right into the cells of the honeycomb brick.”

 

Bump...

 

I still don’t think using a cleaner like sea foam occasionally will harm your cat conv. As I said before tens of thousands or actually hundreds of thousands of people in ca. use sea foam or other cleaners annually. The article says over use. Doubt using it once or occasionally is considered over use. I think the bottom line is you need to take the vehicle to a competent mechanic and diagnose the problem.

 

And one other thing , Guaranteed To Pass is simply a fuel additive cleaner like sea foam and others. If your cat conv. is the problem no additive is going to fix that. You really need to get the problem diagnosed.

 

So on my second try I ended up passing and with pretty low emissions. I ended up replacing the upstream 02, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve, changed the oil, and ran sea foam through the tank. I’m sure the biggest culprit was the 02 but I’m sure the other things could have helped slightly. ThAnks to everyone who chimed in and helped.

 

I live in Wyoming. We don’t have smog shops, emissions testing or anything of that sort. If I were to drive to California is this something to worry about being pulled over for ? Lol we burn our trash outside here lol