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Thread: DIY: Can't Pass Emissions? Thank goodness for denatured alcohol...

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    IA Official Groover puregroove's Avatar
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    Default DIY: Can't Pass Emissions? Thank goodness for denatured alcohol...

    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.

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    IA Senior Member punkr6's Avatar
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    humm, helpful info...
    NO ADVERTISING

    -IA MANAGEMENT

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    so i'm guessing this denatured alcohol stuff is probably the main ingredient in that "Guaranteed to pass emissions juice at advanced, and autozone.

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    IA Official Groover puregroove's Avatar
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    ^^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.

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    ive heard of that before and was wondering if it worked, think what is harmful to the rubber is the ethanol.

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    www.BatlGround.com Tracy's Avatar
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    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.
    Val for president!

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    IA's Blonde Guy Jecht's Avatar
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    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.

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    roflcopter V-Spec II
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    Cleaned up a few posts. This thread is not "do you have to pass emissions where you are?".

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    HEY EVERYBODY! Me86Rob's Avatar
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    glad it passed eddie

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    IA Sponsor JJSPEC Racing's Avatar
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    If Meth and denatured alky work would E85 work also?


    JJSPEC RACING - Central Ga's source for performance parts,
    fabrication, tuning, general repair and a whole lot more! 478 621 5000


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    Stang Mod slostang's Avatar
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    rubbing alcohol is also whats in water remover for gas.
    Quote Originally Posted by Echonova View Post
    And I do drive a Miata, so I am gayer than a three dollar bill...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tracy
    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

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    www.BatlGround.com Tracy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by civic-r11
    did the car have a cat on it.. cause i need to pass on my boosted integra
    It's a Chevy 1500 and yes.
    Val for president!

    Facebook.com/TracyATL

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    long dong silver hondaman050's Avatar
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    i passed my old 93 grand am like this dumping fuel straight into the exhaust from running on 3 cylinders lol..... i love it!

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    E-Thug SouthSide Tay's Avatar
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    buddie of mine did it with a rx7 an i run Denatured alcohol in everything i drive occasionally
    - SouthSide Tay

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    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.
    Life starts @ 20psi.....

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    Senior Member dabuilding's Avatar
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    u can also just retard the timing all the way thats how i did it on my friends car after it failed

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    DRVEN ER OTHA DAY tubby's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dabuilding
    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 ) this will cool it down a bit wich will bring your number down slightly.

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    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.

    2006 Corvette Z06
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    1010011010 Atlblkz06's Avatar
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    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.

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    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

    2006 Corvette Z06
    2" Stainless Works LT Headers
    Random Technologies 3" X-pipe, with high flow polished cats
    Callaway "Honker" cold air intake
    Ported throttle body and intake
    Custom dyno tune by MTI Racing Atlanta
    496rwhp/478tq

  22. #22
    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Real results sir!

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

  23. #23
    Fuhgettaboutit. OhMyGodfather's Avatar
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    Good to know!!!

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinT707 View Post
    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.

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    SHOW and GO! Greddypacked's Avatar
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    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.

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    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?


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    I VTEC'd your mom Humphrizzle's Avatar
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    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by MR.EM1 View Post
    learn to english

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    I used to know a guy...dang.
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