In AZ we have an OBD test but I think visually inspect the car as well. I am assuming and maybe incorrectly that they see enough cars that they would be able to figure out it doesn't have a cat even if I can fool the computer into "seeing" acceptable emissions values through the sensors.

Any help would be appreciated before I go to plan B and put a new/used OEM exhaust back on the car.

Also, I have a scan tool and it is popping an 1138. I can also monitor the O2 values while the car is running but don't know what the acceptable range should be.

Lastly, the front O2 is mounted with the angled block which from my research here seems to be backwards and that the angled block should be attached to the rear 02 sensor.

TIA

Doug

 

this is correct. your car will not be running as well as it could if the primary sensor is not getting a good reading. you probably are getting bad gas mileage right now.

an aftermarket exhaust is fine as long as you have a CAT installed. if they dont pop the hood and look, and if they dont put a sniffer in the exhaust pipe, as long as you dont have any codes and all readiness checks pass they will pass your car.

 

Thanks ghost. In my experience, they do pop the hood. That does not necessarily mean they will notice it doesn't have one, but the exhaust note is not going to help me any. I will switch the angled mount to the back bung and see if it improves things. It seems to be running rich and wouldn't be surprised if the mileage was being compromised.

I cleared the code this am and have about 15 miles since I cleared it. Any idea what consitutes a drive cycle on the car?

 

if you fix a problem and clear the codes, the CEL will go off but it takes 25-75 miles before the computer's readiness flags switch to 'ready' to make sure that the problem doesnt come back in 5 miles, and so that you cant just wipe the codes 2 minuets before inspection and get away with it.

 

Well good to great news. I switched the angle mount to the back bung and you were right, it is running MUCH better.

The CEL has not returned with 30+ miles on the odo but I knew it was some combo of the number of times the engine was run or miles elapsed or combo thereof for the system to reset so its just a waiting game at this point.

Even if it did not solve the emission issue, the improvement in the operation alone is a pretty huge plus.