Problem w/ passing emissions.......

roughhouse · Nov 15, 2009

I have a 95 gt that is bone stock. The only mods are turn downs and short throw shifter. I live in a county that has emissions testing and I failed the test. The tester said that the car is running rich and I can smell the gas, barely. I was told to replace the o2 sensor but I can't reach the damn thing.The only one I see is on the passenger side up close to the engine and it looks impossible to do without dropping the exhaust. I don't have access to a lift and have never messed around with the exhaust before. The smog pump is still connected and the cats are still there along with the stock h pipe. i am clueless!!!! Please help.. Thanks

MustangChris · Nov 15, 2009

sounds like o2s. i also suggest a new air filter.

ive only done o2s on a 5.0 once, and they werent that hard... they sell o2 sensor sockets at autozone, maybe take a look at one of those with a ratchet... a picture would really help so we can see what kind of space you are working with.

Dropping the exhaust is like, 8 bolts... so no worries if you do have to drop it... you may need to buy new exhaust gaskets if you do that tho.

LAFENATU · Nov 15, 2009

Before you go dump $50 on a new sensor, make sure that is the problem. You can also increase the timing if yours is still set stock. You can move it up from about 10 to 14 or so...just make sure it doesn't ping.

or you can pull the spout out before you go in. The car will run like sh1t but usually it passes.

Old school trick haha..

Win · Nov 15, 2009

If your in Ga and you have to get emissions done since your car is a 95 you will have to be put in on a roller. Call around if you don't know who is doing your emission test. I was not able to pass with dumps on my 94 when i lived in Fulton County. 5 different places would not do it since they were scared it would get caught in the rollers, and also not being able to put the test probe far enough in also.

CC'S95GT · Nov 15, 2009

mine won't pass in Ga either. I think some one was in my puter before i got it. any way, I pull my spout connector before i get to the shop for the test. Mine runs fine up to 3000 rpm and thats more than they need for the test. passes like new.

MORDENENOUGH · Nov 15, 2009

I would also check the coolant temp sensor because if it has failed or is failing the egr system wont operate and the car will run pig rich mine did this and didn`t set any error codes either.

MustangChris · Nov 16, 2009

LAFENATU said:
Before you go dump $50 on a new sensor, make sure that is the problem. You can also increase the timing if yours is still set stock. You can move it up from about 10 to 14 or so...just make sure it doesn't ping.

or you can pull the spout out before you go in. The car will run like sh1t but usually it passes.

Old school trick haha..

damn distribuotors :-( lol.

good call bro. def. didnt think of that one.

roughhouse · Nov 16, 2009

ok guys thanks for the advice, another question..........what is the spout you are referring to?

GT Rob · Nov 16, 2009

Is the engine light on

Venomous96Cobra · Nov 16, 2009

ditto?!?

roughhouse · Nov 16, 2009

no engine light. and the obd port is not working at all......I am having a few electrical issues at the moment. a previous owner installed an aftermarket radio and messed up the lights and radio, so I have to figure that he did something to the port as well.......

2002BLGT · Nov 16, 2009

95 and older 5.0 mustangs have an DEAD obd2 plug in the car because the V6s were OBD2 , Ford left the plugs in the 5.0s but it WILL NEVER WORK , its not and OBD2 computer

roughhouse · Nov 16, 2009

oh ok......that explains that. Thanks

JStang98 · Nov 16, 2009

If it didnt fail the test really bad then turn the a/c on next time if you can get away with it, that will help a little, they done it to my dads truck when his failed emissions, took a couple times but with it on they got it to pass.

birel21y · Nov 17, 2009

LAFENATU said:
Before you go dump $50 on a new sensor, make sure that is the problem. You can also increase the timing if yours is still set stock. You can move it up from about 10 to 14 or so...just make sure it doesn't ping.

or you can pull the spout out before you go in. The car will run like sh1t but usually it passes.

Old school trick haha..

Advancing the timing will make emissions WORSE. you need to retard the timing (counter clockwise) until the car runs rough, but still drives. Leave the timing pill IN while you do your smog test. I have passed this way year after year with no egr, and no air pump.