REPAIRS FOR FAILED EMISSION TEST DIY

Home » Automotive » Repairs Join Sign in EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Custom Search Search Richard Trent Basic Author | 8 Articles Joined: April 30, 2006 Canada Failed Your Emission Smog Test? Can You Afford to Pay the Repairs? By Richard Trent | Submitted On October 16, 2006 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Expert Author Richard Trent Everybody knows that one of the requirements of driving in city streets is passing the emission smog test. We do this so as not to pollute and conserve fuel. However, drivers have nightmares regarding the cost involved in passing such test. When this problem occurs, our vehicle must be either brought to a garage or you can try to fix it yourself. The first one is not a problem if you have money set aside for this situation but what happen if you decide to do this yourself? How do you begin? What tools do you need? Where do you get the info to fix this problem? Fixing your own vehicle is a scary situation but if you bring your vehicle to a shop, here are what you are up against: (1). Cost of scanning for codes including one hour diagnosis to find the problem. $100-$150 (depends on the type of vehicle). (2).another $100 per hour as soon as the mechanic starts working on your vehicle. The final cost can easily run you from $300-$800 just to fix just one problem. And assuming the mechanic finds another code or sensor that can cause another smog failure, which will be extra. So why not try to do it yourself? An example is shown below on how a smart driver will fix his own smog problem using the check engine light from the dash panel: My 2001 Ford F150 Pick up truck has flunked the smog test and has this code P0402: EGR flow high; it is now stored on my engine computer. I tried fixing this myself and when I checked vacuum to the egr valve port at idle, the engine stopped which confirms to me that the egr valve is OK. The engine is running properly except this check engine light comes on all the time which will fail my smog test. Is there a common fix for this code so I can pass this smog test? Looking at my files about this vehicle, this problem is indeed common and here is what I told him: There is a common repair for this and all the time it needs the changing of the DPFE sensor. This sensor appears like a small box with 2 ports coming from the exhaust.Sensor is located between the valve cover and throttle body with tubes running from it. This sensor calculates the exhaust back pressure when the egr valve is activated. The passages or tubes for this sensor can get broken and will trip the code but there are lots of failures on the sensor itself. Also, if the tube is blocked with carbon and restrict the flow; the code can be set too. To check, measure the signal voltage of the sensor as shown in the wiring diagram. Max reading should not exceed 0.9 volt or it means the sensor is defective. As my subscriber, his initial expenses are: cost of getting the code which is free and the vacuum pump is about $20. The final fix for this was the replacement of DPFE sensor. A digital voltmeter was also used which can be bought for around $50-$100. If you add the cost of other common hand tools, he might end up spending the same amount of money if he brought it to a garage. However, this is the biggest difference: he kept the tools and gained his confidence, self worth and next time a code comes around he is ready. Does this approach make sense to you? If you do, then welcome to the 21st century! For more info about checking your engine using check engine lights codes, please read my blog at: http://www.check-engine-light-codes.blogspot.com Mr. Richard Trent is a writer and publisher of automotive websites and blogs. He is also an automotive consultant in Calgary and you can read his latest blog on how car owners can save money in car repairs. See it at: http://www.check-engine-light-codes.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Richard_Trent/33561 0 Comments | Leave a Comment Did you find this article helpful? Happy Face0 Sad Face0 Viewed 453 times Word count: 621 Article Tools EzinePublisher Report this article Cite this article Stay Informed Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Automotive: Repairs Richard Trent Email Address Subscribe We will never sell or rent your email address. Repairs Article Feed Repairs Article Feed Find More Articles Search Similar Articles CarMD Car Diagnostic Tool - Determine Why Your Check Engine Light Is On Is Your Dashboard Blinking With Lights Unknown? Understanding Emissions Testing FAQ on the OBD Diagnostic System and Why a Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner is Needed Recent Articles 4 Rules to Follow While Approaching a Car Mechanic Tips On How To Find A Great Repair Facility & Mechanic Fixing Windshield Cracks Rock Chip Repair - Procedure and Cost Your Own Guide to Brake Shoes Replacement For a Vehicle How to Identify Car Issues With Your Nose A Few Amazing Tips To Find The Best Road Assistance Plan Windshield Replacement - Cost Factors How Do You Deal With Battery Terminal Corrosion? What Your Brake Pads and Parts Say About Your Vehicle EzineArticles.com About Us FAQ Contact Us Member Benefits Privacy Policy Shop Site Map Blog Training Video Library Advertising Affiliates Cartoons Authors Submit Articles Members Login Premium Membership Expert Authors Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Terms of Service Publishers Terms Of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS © 2017 EzineArticles All Rights Reserved Worldwide