Big day tomorrow: the Blackfly's first e-test since cam swap & taller transmission

[Lazarus]

This should help to interpret the results.

For the HC being higher.

Measured in PPM (parts per million), this is the result of unburned fuel making it out the tailpipe. This is different from the CO problem in that here the fuel has not started combustion at all. This failure is usually caused by an ignition (misfire), or an engine problem such as a bad valve. An engine running too lean will often have excessive HC due to what is called a "lean misfire". Any leaks in the intake system or bad injectors will also cause excessive HC due to uneven fuel distribution.

I think those are great results.

[MetroMPG]

Just had my 3rd emissions test done on the Flea today, results added to post #7.

Interesting to see how some emissions have gone up, and then back down through the 3 tests. Also, the RPM for the 40 km/h test in the latest one was obviously in a lower gear than the previous two emissions tests.

EDIT: I wonder what "Dilution" is. It's the only one that has crept up slighty for each of the 3 tests.

[Daox]

You should have asked the emissions guy.

[MetroMPG]

I will.

I didn't actually read the report before I left the garage. I just read "PASS" and tore out of there.

(Well, I actually coasted down the hill to the exit of the lot without starting the car, waited for a gap in traffic and then started, pulsed up to the speed limit before killing the engine again... but you get the idea )

[dcb]

Just a guess, but maybe the cold weather had something to do with the higher HC in the december test?

[MetroMPG]

Could be, but the car would have been up to operating temps. I always take it for a 25 minute drive before the e-test.

And I leave it idling until it's ready to go on the dyno. Want that cat to stay hot

YES. I let my car sit and idle once every 2 years. For its emissions test. = Irony.

(OK, and maybe once each winter too, when I don't have the opportunity to plug in the coolant heater and declare it too @&#^$ cold to get in a freezing car.)

[MetroMPG]

Blackfly is back on the road, another emissions test under its belt. (I always get nervous, even though the car always does well...)

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ASM 2525/CURB IDLE TAILPIPE EMISSIONS INSPECTION

Dec 7, 2011, odometer at 30,520 km.

Emission ... Limit / Reading @40km/h ... Limit / READING @ idle

HC ppm ........ 66 / 0 ...................150 / 2
CO % ........ 0.37 / 0.01 ................. 0.7 / 0.0
NO ppm ....... 505 / 0 .................... na / na
RPM ............ 89 (hey, that's what it says) ....................... 89

Dilution ... 14.61 / 11.50 (don't know what this is)

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June 9, 2009, odometer at 24,619 km.

Emission ... Limit / Reading @40km/h ... Limit / READING @ idle

HC ppm ........ 66 / 10 ...................150 / 10
CO % ........ 0.37 / 0.0 ................. 0.7 / 0.0
NO ppm ....... 505 / 1 .................... na / na
RPM ............ 2621 ....................... 823

Dilution ... 14.60 / 14.70 (don't know what this is)

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Dec. 12, 2007, odometer at 14,481 km.

Emission ... Limit / Reading @40km/h ... Limit / READING @ idle

HC ppm ........ 66 / 21 ...................150 / 6
CO % ........ 0.37 / 0.01 ................ 0.7 / 0.04
NO ppm ....... 505 / 1 .................... na / na
RPM ............ 1709 ....................... 898

Dilution ... 14.51 / 14.04 (don't know what this is)

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Aug 24, 2005, odometer at 2,460 km.

Emission ... Limit / Reading @40km/h ... Limit / READING @ idle

HC ppm ........ 66 / 9 ....................150 / 8
CO % ........ 0.37 / 0.00 ................ 0.7 / 0.00
NO ppm ....... 505 / 53 ................... na / na
RPM ............ 1685 ....................... 634

Dilution ... 14.20 / 14.40 (don't know what this is)

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So what does it say? Some emissions are up, some are down. The worst 2007 increase (HC ppm @ 40 km/h) is now @ 32% of its max. allowable.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Dilution ... 14.60 / 14.70 (don't know what this is)

Curiosity got the better of me. I contacted the ministry, and they said:

I've included the definition for the Dilution directly from our Standard Operating Procedure below: "The value displayed in this box is the carbon monoxide (CO) plus carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration measured in the exhaust at the time of inspection. The test is considered invalid if the combined CO and CO2 value falls below 6.0%. The test results for valid tests are automatically corrected for minor dilution errors."

[Arragonis]

Well it seems to be going more and more into the correct side of things so not an issue to worry about just now ?

[MetroMPG]

I don't think there's any "real" trend in to the way the tests are going. But I still shouldn't worry about it.

I didn't even do anything to the car to get it "ready" this time, as I usually do (I usually remove & clean the spark plugs, cap & rotor at least).

Oh, wait - not true - I pumped up the tires to 60 psi . I figured: the less rolling resistance on the dynamometer, the better the results!

But I should just remind myself to come back here and look at the previous results before each test (every other year) to put my mind at ease!