New to Denver: Getting CJ8 Emissions Tested

CJ8Hokie · 10-23-2011, 07:55 PM

Greetings -

I have a 1983 Scrambler with a 258/4.0head + MPFI setup. It has a cat, and CCV, but I do need to install a vapor line and charcoal canister in order to have a non-vented gas cap. I have 33" BFG ATs installed.

What kind of problems can I expect? Will I get grief for the engine not being stock? I'm guessing that with a cat and MPFI it'll pass the sniff test just fine (especially if I help it along with a little ethanol in the system and make sure the cat is nice and hot before I get there). But what about the visual when they see it's not carb'd anymore?

I'm just trying to be prepared for any hassles!

Thanks -

streetglideok · 10-23-2011, 10:08 PM

Havent been in your shoes, and we dont do it do them down here. Im going to guess here, make sure you have a functional pcv system, and evap system. I really dont know how anal they are on that up in the communist republic of denver

otisdog · 10-24-2011, 06:43 AM

just fix up what you can and take it. See what happens. It's good you have 33's because they won't test it with any bigger.
Welcome to the world of hassle.
Jim

**LaddieHanus** · 10-25-2011, 05:18 PM

I have a friend with a 89 258 who put on a 4.0 head and the Mopar MPI kit. Never had any problems with the test stations. If you jeep originally had an air pump they will probably fail you but they will give you a contact that will inspect your jeep (just like for V8 swaps) and issue you a certificate for the test station.

**FPKites** · 10-25-2011, 05:31 PM

Even with your 33s, make sure they're aired all the way up. I had to run home for the 31s this year, possibly because mine were a little under pressure. They wouldn't fit on the dyno.

table · 10-26-2011, 06:01 AM

Find your local inspection rep here: http://www.aircarecolorado.com/

Call them with your vehicle info and ask what they'll be looking for. When I called about importing a Euro-spec car, they told me everything I needed to add, like an air pump, EGR, and cat (this was even for a 1977 MY).

FYI to folks in the Springs/El Paso county: The rep also mentioned talk of emissions tests returning to Colorado Springs.

streetglideok · 10-26-2011, 06:35 AM

Ive heard the rumors of the smog testing coming back here, but some say they never will do it. Wish they would, both of our vehicles are clean, no worries there, but the junk I see come thru, that people just ignore, would help put a stop to it. Had a car the other day, running on 3/4 of its cylinders, engine light on, etc. Asked customer about it, "oh Im not worried about that, its just a light".

CJ8Hokie · 10-26-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by table

Find your local inspection rep here: http://www.aircarecolorado.com/

Call them with your vehicle info and ask what they'll be looking for. When I called about importing a Euro-spec car, they told me everything I needed to add, like an air pump, EGR, and cat (this was even for a 1977 MY).

FYI to folks in the Springs/El Paso county: The rep also mentioned talk of emissions tests returning to Colorado Springs.

Yeah, that's a solid recommendation. I figured as much regarding them wanting to see what was stock for a 1983 CJ. I definitely don't have EGR as that wouldn't have been on a MPFI'd 4.0L. I'll give a call today.

gspup · 10-26-2011, 04:32 PM

Look for one of the trucks that does drive by emissions. Call the number on the truck, that will be the easiest way to slip by. Not sure of the details.

**Yucca-man** · 10-26-2011, 04:49 PM

The drive-by emissions trucks are part of the "AirCare Colorado" scam. There is a certain window of time you can go through them to pass before re-registration, and of course failure during a drive-by will bump you to the "must get tested" group. It's not for use for first-time registrants, either. http://www.aircarecolorado.com/rapidscreen/faq/

table · 10-27-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetglideok

... but the junk I see come thru, that people just ignore, would help put a stop to it. Had a car the other day, running on 3/4 of its cylinders, engine light on, etc. Asked customer about it, "oh Im not worried about that, its just a light".

Agreed. In addition to some of the quasi-rickshaws on the road, I've noticed smog on several occaisions around the Springs, especially up and down I-25, which lies in the Fountain creek valley.

CJ8Hokie · 06-15-2012, 09:50 AM

Thread resurrection/update: I finally got around to installing a vapor line and canister so I took the Scrambler to the Tech Center.

It failed their evaluation.

Observations: At this time there are multiple codes stored, coolant temp and other temp related sensors report -198*F. There is not a functional check engine light, check engine light is commanded on and vehicle will not enter closed loop operation.

Comments: Restore/Repair or install a functional check engine light. Check engine light is to be commanded off and perform a bulb test. Repair all stored trouble codes. Verify vehicle will enter closed this will likely include repairing cause to incorrect temperature sensor readings.
(Offline the tech also said it has a misfire, etc. I knew it missed sometimes and had checked codes but I didn't think it was a big deal. The temp readings are new to me.)

All I have for a check engine light is an LED I can wire into the harness under the hood. I'll run this wire to the dash - I believe this is what is meant by "functional" as the CEL needs to be visible from the dash. Reading how the evaluation is written makes it sound like the CEL circuit doesn't work.

Well off to write all these codes down and probably swap out a sensor or two! Hopefully I can get this thing plated soon!

jeepster93 · 06-15-2012, 12:27 PM

Did they sniff your tail pipe?

The law is you must have functional emissions equipment equal to factory stock. you must have a working check engine light and it can't be on.

I just took mine in last week and they had a big, long conversation over the open hood(I have a lot of not stock stuff stuffed under the hood), I don't have a stock exhaust(although a legal one-I needed to remind them of this...), and the glee in their eyes when they see oversized tires. And I swear the Jeep was bouncing around so much I thought it was gonna launch itself out the door. The noise the tires make is quite satisfying though.
I know you only get a tailpipe and visual inspection.

It's all a "tax". A scam.

**Yucca-man** · 06-15-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ8Hokie

Thread resurrection/update: I finally got around to installing a vapor line and canister so I took the Scrambler to the Tech Center.

It failed their evaluation.

Observations: At this time there are multiple codes stored, coolant temp and other temp related sensors report -198*F. There is not a functional check engine light, check engine light is commanded on and vehicle will not enter closed loop operation.

Interesting, since an illuminated CEL won't trigger a test failure, at least not with vehicles that are already "in the system." Did you go to a regular "AirCare" monopoly, or to the referee?

CJ8Hokie · 06-15-2012, 04:14 PM

Jeepster - no tailpipe was sniffed or otherwise violated. Mine basically failed for not having an actual CEL in the dash, and throwing some codes. In terms of factory emissions equipment I have what a 1994 YJ would, and pass that part just fine.

Yucca-man - My vehicle isn't already "in the system" so maybe that's why. I went to one of the AirCare "tech" (vice "test") centers where they check out cars that have failed emissions or had something like a non-stock engine swap done. I don't know the difference between AirCare and referee(?).

I'm working on the codes and they come and go (Yay! Intermittent electrical issues!). I'll reset the PCM and all will be fine, but then the misfire code will pop back up. Since resetting the PCM I haven't been able to duplicate the coolant sensor code.

If the CEL is on does the engine automatically never go into closed loop? In other words - Can otherwise innocuous codes like 41 (Alternator field control circuit open or shorted), 33 (Air conditioning clutch relay circuit open or shorted), 35 (Cooling fan relay circuit open or shorted OR idle switch motor fault), 36 ((turbo only) Wastegate control circuit open or shorted) cause an actual CEL? My sheet says all stored codes must by fixed. Obviously some of these are always going to be there, right?

Thanks -