Well crud, I tried to pull the IAC off and one of the 2 screws is unwilling to come off. Failed emissions testing due to NOx, strongly suspect a bad Catalytic Convertor, I'll try to check the temp on it this weekend. HC and CO were high but under the limit (.98/1.60 HC, 14.87/20 CO). Pulled the trace graph and all the emissions looked fine until it got to over 30MPH.

Check your EGR system for proper operation - my SR failed NOx one year due to a clogged EGR valve. I pulled off the valve and cleaned it, replaced all the EGR system vacuum lines, and passed emissions.

Definitely check your converter temps beforehand, although a bod converter should have you failing HC and CO as well as NOx.

I'll check the EGR stuff, It's brand new so hopefully it's working properly but I should probably check the intake passages too.

Still need to figure out how to get the IAC off to check it Going to take the whole throttle body off this weekend and see what I can come up with.

If you need to clean the intake passages for the EGR, find a piece of stranded steel cable about a foot or 18" long, unstrand the first couple of inches, chuck the other end in a drill and feed it into the passages while operating the drill. Operates kind of like a roto-rooter snake.

John B.

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a go this weekend.

Got the IR thermometer today, so tested the cat temps. First temp check after idling for 30 minutes the front side temp around 300 and back side was 350. Revved it up to 4500 RPM for about 2 minutes and checked again, front side was 388 and back was 415. So it seems to be functioning at least partially.

Checked the wife's car and it was 415 before and 320 after. Might explain some things.

Testing of the EGR looks good, tested it at idle with a hand pump and the engine stumbled pretty hard. Also tested it with the engine running and revving up the RPMs and you can see the diaphragm operating. Did clear out the passages when I had it off though just to be sure.

Was also able to get the IAC off, cleaned it up a bit and put it back on. The o-ring was there.

Ran some seafoam through the intake and now I know how I can make a good smokescreen when necessary.

Tweaked the idle a bit using the adjustment screw and it seems to run much smoother when cold now.

Not sure what to look at next, set up an appointment next week to take it in to Greulichs and have them diagnose it.

Broke down and took it to an emissions shop (Fuel System Specialists in Gilbert) that had a 5-gas analyzer. He said it's a bad catalytic converter and that everything else tested fine.

Is there anybody locally that would have the direct fit replacement or should I just go with a universal weld on? Got 2 days left on my 3 day tag and Rock Auto's next-day shipping is as much as the parts and wouldn't get here till Monday.

do a universal one but make sure to get the Magnaflow, the others cost more and typically last a year.

The going rate of the cat is 70-80 dollars and install at a shop will be about $150-250 dollars depending on which cat it is. (CA emissions right cat is a PITA and will be the $250 range) My friend just had one done.

Yeah the guys at the emissions shop said the same. I called Midas and they said $380 told the woman she was nuts I can buy a direct fit part off Rock Auto for under a hundred. Called Meineke and the guy said about $180 so I'll take it there in the morning.

Passed emissions this morning finally!