Smog

Tyerman got the car to pass smog ($450 later) by replacing plugs, wires, cap, rotor, carb base gasket, and general mussing. The car not only passed smog, but generally seems to run better, except for at idle. It shook like a scared puppy at idle. I think I have that resolved by making the choke stay partly closed... the system has been running way lean anyway. I think a fresh carb is in order eventually.

Smog

Helen failed her smog test today. Too much NO, which means that stinking EGR valve problem I had, or what I thought was an EGR valve problem, is rearing it's head again. I'm taking it to Tyerman's tomorrow to let them figure it out.

Removed the Satellite radio and the HD radio from the glove box. Added a Bluetooth interface for the iPhone so I can play iPod or Pandora/Internet radio and take calls through the stereo.

Oil Change!

Royal Purple and Purolator.

EGR?

Well maybe we've got this thing close to being acceptably licked. I took the EGR valve off and put a calibration disc in that's about two sizes smaller than the one called for in the instructions. The I tried replacing the 5-way ported vacuum switch, but managed to break the new one. Not having a special socket for the task, I decided to put the old one back in for now, ordering both a new switch and a socket to make a special tool out of, and drive the car in the meantime and see how the recalibration works. Well it works very well! I don't have nearly the amount of hesitation when the valve opens as there was. I'd say in most cases it's imperceptable. BUt even when you can feel it, it is very slight. I'll leave it at that. The replacement ported vacuum switch may help even more, but if not, I think it is OK the way it is. Otherwise, I think the next step is to get the carb rebuilt with an eye to the ported vacuum tap being carefully investigated. You should be able to adjust the idle speed and not get into the range where vacuum starts pulling at that port. And it shoudln't be a sometime thing, but consistant.

More EGR issues!!!

This morning on the way to work, the EGR was really making the engine run rough and bog down. It woudl nearly die at stop lights and buck when I gave it a little gas. But eventually it smoothed out and I went to work without much further fuss. On the way home, all seemed well until I got off the freeway, then it was pinging like crazy and the idle was high... like no EGR at all.

I already had run into trouble with the 5 port vacuum port switch not running the Thermac system properly. It was allowing vacuum to the heat/cold door on the air cleaner snorkel when the engine was hot, which made the engine ping like crazy. I moved it to another port that is not used on my car where vacuum is cut off at the same time vacuum is turned on to EGR. And now this!

I ordered a different brand of vacuum port switches (yes, both the 3 and 5 port switches) and hopefully this will solve the problem. Once that is resolved, I think I need to either put the original EGR valve back in the car or recalibrate the new one with a different metering disc. It seems to be a bit too heavy on the exhaust gas intro. That or the carb needs to be rebuilt. What a mess!

Salerno's Auto Air

Sometimes it takes a little help from a professional. I took Helen over to Salerno's Auto Air and showed them my problem. Terry pointed out that the thin tube would overheat and melt before the thick block it was attached to would let the braising material melt to seal the crack. He figured it was better to get a replacement part. I left the car with him all day and he found one replacement part, put fresh hose on it, charged the system and found no other leaks. I think we're back in business. :D Blows nice and cold again.