dfrank
New CEG'er
I am having trouble smogging my 98 SVT so that I can drive it in the state of CA.
1. I was failed mid June "visual inspection" -- a cracked hose. The hose (which I still have) is an approx 6 to 8 inch shaped hose that makes two 90 degree bends and emerges from undeneath that plastic cover that covers the front cylinder head and fits around the oil cap connecting to the accordion intake duct. Emission numbers were OK. While messing with the hose, I triggered the CEL see below.
2. I replaced hose with appropriately sized fuel line tubing since the local Ford dealers did not have the part "Contour is an obsolete model". (Duh). I had been driving around with a CEL (0401), not knowing that the CEL would make me fail smog. Which happened yesterday. I wish they'd tell you that kind of thing before you tested. On this failed run my hydrocarbon (HC) count was pretty high, right at the limit. I am thinking this means I need new plugs...?
(I wonder if there are kits to replace for instance all the tubing and ducts for the intake equipment or all of the wire harnesses whose coatings flake off due to the heat (which I've had to electrical tape up to keep from shorting, which doesn't look all that great))
3. Cleared the CEL, and after driving 10 miles or so, it did not come back on. Debating whether to attempt smog immediately again, or address the high HC with a general tune up (new plugs at a minimum). Any advice for getting the engine to run clean?
4. I have an aftermarket K&N intake on the car. I don't think that would make it run less clean. Another thing about this car is that the speedometer does not work. It reads about 20 mph too high. Every now and then, it just quits. No problem with the tachometer. I am wondering if the non-working speedometer might influence the computer to run too rich or something?
Sorry to rant about so many topics. Love the advice on this site, however.
David Frank
1. I was failed mid June "visual inspection" -- a cracked hose. The hose (which I still have) is an approx 6 to 8 inch shaped hose that makes two 90 degree bends and emerges from undeneath that plastic cover that covers the front cylinder head and fits around the oil cap connecting to the accordion intake duct. Emission numbers were OK. While messing with the hose, I triggered the CEL see below.
2. I replaced hose with appropriately sized fuel line tubing since the local Ford dealers did not have the part "Contour is an obsolete model". (Duh). I had been driving around with a CEL (0401), not knowing that the CEL would make me fail smog. Which happened yesterday. I wish they'd tell you that kind of thing before you tested. On this failed run my hydrocarbon (HC) count was pretty high, right at the limit. I am thinking this means I need new plugs...?
(I wonder if there are kits to replace for instance all the tubing and ducts for the intake equipment or all of the wire harnesses whose coatings flake off due to the heat (which I've had to electrical tape up to keep from shorting, which doesn't look all that great))
3. Cleared the CEL, and after driving 10 miles or so, it did not come back on. Debating whether to attempt smog immediately again, or address the high HC with a general tune up (new plugs at a minimum). Any advice for getting the engine to run clean?
4. I have an aftermarket K&N intake on the car. I don't think that would make it run less clean. Another thing about this car is that the speedometer does not work. It reads about 20 mph too high. Every now and then, it just quits. No problem with the tachometer. I am wondering if the non-working speedometer might influence the computer to run too rich or something?
Sorry to rant about so many topics. Love the advice on this site, however.
David Frank
