New here, having some troubles with my ava.

[Figdbl]

(Just to mention, I live in Ottawa, ON, Canada.)

First time poster, hope that you guys can help me cuz my family needs this car.

I'm currently trying to get a '95 Toyota Avalon XLS to pass an emissions test.

Year: 1995
Make: Toyota
Model: Avalon
ODO: 255k km (about 158k mi)
3.0L engine, 6 cyl, 1644kg weight.

Problem: Keeps failing the damn Hydro Carbons test.
The first time I got the car tested it passed HC and failed the NO test.
Now every single time it's failing the HC test @ 40km/h (~25mi/h) but passing it at idle.

Currently I'm getting a reading of 105ppm HC where as the limit is only 57ppm HC.

I've been talking it over with some people on other forums (one who linked me to here) and I've gone over the same things with them.

We replaced the cat converter after it failed the first test. (This is the test where it failed NO.) Since then it keeps failing HC. (Even though we've tried switching back and forth between the old cat and the new cat, it still fails HC.) If you want I'll pull out the receipts and get you the brand and numbers of the new cat.

We replaced both O2 sensors. No luck.
There are no aftermarket parts on it, that I know of.
I have tried using fuel additives and higher grade fuel to help it pass. No luck.
The car must pass a visual first, meaning I can't trick the test by getting more air in.
I have tried passing the car cold. (Driving right to the testing centre from my home, about 15 min drive.) I have tried passing it after driving it for 40 mins @ 80-120 km/h to warm it all the way up.
Tried running it under a scan and all that came up was the O2 sensors. (Which were replaced after.) Don't think the codes were cleaned though.

Uhh, I don't know what else to say. Been trying to figure this out for over a week now. It's failed the test 5 or 6 times now. I'm sorry to say I know nothing of cars really except how to enjoy driving them.

People have been suggesting me things back and forth.
Someone said I may be running rich.
Another said to check the egr valve passage.

Any help would be appreciated, I got 4 or 5 days before the deadline and this thing is stressing me out.

If you have any questions just ask me I'm gonna be checking this forum religiously for the next week.
And I'm sorry if this has been posted before, I went back 5 pages and didn't see anything like this.

Thanks again.

[toyomoho]

Does the car drive OK? How is the oil consumption?

Excess HC are unburned hydrocarbons, usually from unburned gasoline. An engine that is burning a lot of oil will have a higher HC.

As to what can cause this. Too much or too little fuel, not all cylinders firing, bad plugs, timing to far advanced, PCV valve not working, vacuum leaks, EGR, clogged air filter, dirty engine oil can also raise HC.

Do a TN search using the words emission test, emission fail, emissions, etc, lots of good info. The search function is located within one of the on screen narrow red bars.


Here is a link I found on TN about emission problems. Very good article


http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h56.pdf



A Google search will result in a lot of hits. Emission problems stem from common sources on any engine. Don't limit your search to just Toyota engines.

[toyosupra_87]

vbmenu_register("postmenu_1302016", true); Hi there,

Well, start from the basic. Have you check the Cat Coverter???

I got a 95 Toyota Avalon XLS, the flex pipe by the engine started to rust out and created some hole (it started to sound a mack 10 )
well, a long story short. I saw the cat conveter and it was NO NO good. After my upgrade to the exhaust system (piping, cat cov., & muffler) the car runs great!
You might need a new cat converter to start.

My dad have the same problem and did the same as you, but when we check under the car. the muffler looked like it was going to exploded, and the cat cov. was black like tar and shaking the converter it was like a rattlers.

I'm due to emission test as well next month.

I hope I help!

[Byrde]

I was told by my Toyo dealer that if either of our cars should ever fail the test, I should bring it back to them to check out. I think they dont like to think that one of their cars COULD fail it.

Have you called someone like Tony Graham to find out?

Personally, I deal with 1000 Islands Toyota in Brockville and they are excellent. Heck, they will even pick up your car from Ottawa for a small fee ($15) service it and bring it back. In the meantime, they will leave you a loaner for the day.

You can find them at: http://www.1000islandstoyota.com/new.../tiframe1.html if you are interested.

[Figdbl]

I already said I god a new cat, and even tried switching back and forth between the old one and the new one.

I'll check out everything else up there an dget back to you guys.

Thanks.