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View Full Version : DIY: Can't Pass Emissions? Thank goodness for denatured alcohol...



puregroove
07-24-2009, 03:33 PM
Plain and simple.

-I own an '85 Corolla GT-S with a 4AGE--catalytic converter present.
-It did not pass emissions. 25/25 Test - Failed NOx ppm. Reading was 2795 and 1592 is allowed.
-It passed the 50/15 Test.

For the retest:
-With a 1/4 tank of regular gas--added a quart of denatured alcohol acquired from Ace Hardware.
-Ran the car for about 15mins. I already noticed a difference in how smooth it ran.
-Tested the car: Passed @ NOx ppm 1588, 1592 allowed.
-Done--filled the car to full with gas to dilute what was left of the alcohol.

BAM, done deal.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything that goes wrong with your car. Depending on what you pass or fail, some cars require more than this. I suggest you not run your car with this on a regular basis. I've read that it is harmful to plastic and rubber. If anyone has more info, I'll be glad to edit/add/adjust/amend what I've already typed.

punkr6
07-24-2009, 03:38 PM
humm, helpful info...

BIG WORM
07-24-2009, 04:29 PM
so i'm guessing this denatured alcohol stuff is probably the main ingredient in that "Guaranteed to pass emissions juice at advanced, and autozone.

puregroove
07-24-2009, 04:47 PM
^^possibly...costs about 7.00. Not bad--glad I didn't decide to go ahead an replace the cat. I would have spent quite a bit more.

91ma70
07-24-2009, 06:06 PM
ive heard of that before and was wondering if it worked, think what is harmful to the rubber is the ethanol.

Tracy
07-24-2009, 06:09 PM
We use methanol. Drain it down as far as we can. Fill it up just enough to make it there and back, then passarooni. We have to do it in the red truck.

Jecht
07-24-2009, 09:12 PM
Denatured alcohol will completely destroy any rubber tube it goes through in a very short time span.... I had to drop a completely full tank out of a Suburban one time because the alcohol my friend used ate through the inch long rubber piece between the fuel pump and the fuel lines.

I do not advise doing this if there are any rubber bits between the fuel pump and the injectors.

MongolPup
07-24-2009, 10:07 PM
Cleaned up a few posts. This thread is not "do you have to pass emissions where you are?".

Me86Rob
07-25-2009, 03:20 AM
glad it passed eddie

JJSPEC Racing
07-25-2009, 08:26 AM
If Meth and denatured alky work would E85 work also?

slostang
07-25-2009, 11:17 PM
rubbing alcohol is also whats in water remover for gas.

civic-r11
07-26-2009, 10:39 AM
We use methanol. Drain it down as far as we can. Fill it up just enough to make it there and back, then passarooni. We have to do it in the red truck.


did the car have a cat on it.. cause i need to pass on my boosted integra

Tracy
07-26-2009, 10:41 AM
did the car have a cat on it.. cause i need to pass on my boosted integraIt's a Chevy 1500 and yes.

hondaman050
07-27-2009, 02:40 AM
i passed my old 93 grand am like this dumping fuel straight into the exhaust from running on 3 cylinders lol..... i love it!

SouthSide Tay
07-28-2009, 11:04 PM
buddie of mine did it with a rx7 an i run Denatured alcohol in everything i drive occasionally

V84lunch
07-29-2009, 10:09 PM
E85 helps a ton if you can find it...
Only problem with e85, you run the risk of running lean, so don't beat on it if you're not tuned for straight e85. To run E85 in a boosted car, you need 30% larger injectors....your mpg will also go to shit.

dabuilding
08-21-2009, 08:36 AM
u can also just retard the timing all the way thats how i did it on my friends car after it failed

tubby
08-23-2009, 01:06 PM
u can also just retard the timing all the way thats how i did it on my friends car after it failed


YUP depending on what failed and how bad. u can retard the timing. and run some ISO. rubbing alcohol only 91% in the tank and run some water-weter in the radiator. also if u know the emm. guy u can take a spray bottle with water in it and lightly spray some at the TB wile testing. (that is if you know who is doing the test.) but i would asume if u knew the guy than he would be able to help u pass it :yes:) this will cool it down a bit wich will bring your number down slightly.

Lankhoss
03-16-2010, 10:24 AM
Sorry to bring up an old thread from the grave, but I was curious if anyone knows if this works for Co2 as well? My Vette passed NoX but failed for Co2. I was 1.26 the first day, and 1.32 the second....the limit is .97.

Atlblkz06
03-18-2010, 01:35 PM
Rubbing (Isopropyl) Alcohol from the drug store is typically 30% or 10% WATER. Dont use that lol.
Get some E85, 99% Ethanol, or Methanol. It should reduce CO2 but I'm not positive.

Lankhoss
03-18-2010, 04:59 PM
Welp, worked like a charm!! Did exactly everything mentioned in the OP, and I dropped about 80% NoX (even though I passed that) and over 40% Co2.

Of course I had replaced the air filter, fixed the leaking valve covers and put fresh oil in the car since the last time I had it checked, but I'm sure the alcohol was the one that made the difference.

Thanks for the info!


P.S. This is on my '86 Vette, not the Z06 lol

KevinT707
03-18-2010, 05:46 PM
Real results sir!

Denatured alcohol here I come .. or E85 if that doesn't work.

OhMyGodfather
03-27-2010, 12:10 PM
Good to know!!!

KevinT707
03-27-2010, 12:20 PM
Real results sir!

Denatured alcohol here I come .. or E85 if that doesn't work.
Tried danatured alochol: 1 QT mixed with 3.5 gallons of gas and it made no difference on the emissions dyno compared to my previous fails.

Greddypacked
03-27-2010, 01:36 PM
I failed on emissions one time, so I went and got a oil change, some fuel injector cleaner, gas treatment, a full tank of 92 octane gas and drove about 30-50 highway miles went back and boom passed.

ruah_23
01-17-2014, 11:44 AM
I have a cel and I read 34 and 105 on my 240.
I failed miserably on the Hcn and co. Is changing the egr gonna fix the issues or I have to replaced the cat?

Humphrizzle
02-06-2014, 07:12 PM
or run seafoam through intake system to clean valves.. then adjust valves to proper clearance and you'll pass emissions with no problem if, in fact, you have no other problems with the vehicle.

AnthonyF
03-06-2014, 06:11 PM
I used to know a guy...dang.