11-23-2015, 09:09 AM | #1 |
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Catless Downpipes & Emissions Testing?
Background: I currently have catless downpipes and Eurocharged tune and it's time for me to get my yearly emissions test. In Illinois all this consists of is an OBD-2 scan for readiness across all emissions sensors. I was under the impression that the Eurocharged tune "tricked" the O2 sensors to be in a ready state to pass these inspections, but after going for an emissions test realized that these sensors are simply disabled to avoid a CEL popping up (confirmed by Eurocharged). Obviously, this won't allow me to pass emissions and I'm at a point where I'm playing with mechanical fixes or reverting back to stock downpipes.
Question: For those of you running catless downpipes and have to do emissions testing via OBD-2 scanning, what did you do to pass? |
11-24-2015, 10:13 AM | #4 |
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The 02 sensors are for engine management, both emissions and performance. The wand the tester sticks in your tailpipe reads actual gas emissions output, you can't trick that. Without cats you'll never pass. Sorry to say, but you'll have to go back to stock every time you test.
edit- just read you we doing OBD, maybe you could get some Volkswagen emission management software :-) |
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11-24-2015, 10:19 AM | #5 | |
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11-24-2015, 10:55 AM | #6 | ||
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11-24-2015, 09:29 PM | #7 |
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Im curious on this issue also. I know emissions allow for one not ready code and still pass but with a tune this causes two (the first code being read as not ready, im not 100% sure but i believe has to do with something in our hvac system thats inherent on bmw's).
I frequent a shop by my house and did the emissions (post high flow cats and tune) and he said I wouldn't have any issues passing. Maybe because the highflow cats still did enough to pass emissions? Best of luck. Keep us in the loop.
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11-27-2015, 08:54 AM | #8 |
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Alright everybody I have some good news to report. I have managed to get all my sensors to show "Available/Ready" on my catless downpipe setup. I'm currently running the stock tune on the truck so I know it's working and confirmed on my OBD-2 scanner app. The best part is that it's a cheap fix. For those of you running a tune, you'll probably want to go back to stock for emissions testing or tell your tuner that you want all O2 sensors enabled for your tune.
The fix: Pretty standard mechanical fix using spark plug non-fouler and spacers that has been used on many platforms. I modified it slightly from the thread below, but the results should be the same. I would test using the 2 non-foulers on each side below before buying the kit on Amazon that I already purchased a while ago. Here's the thread that outlines what I did: http://www.355nation.net/forum/how-p...ight-pics.html The only difference between the setup in the link above and what I did is instead of using 2 sparkplug non-foulers on each side, I used 1 non-fouler that was drilled out to 1/2" and used another spacer that I had purchased a while ago to attach the sensor to (see link below) Here's a link to the spacer kit I bought, the only piece I used in conjunction to the sparkplug non-fouler was the 1" threaded portion (top left in pic): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage I hope this helps any of you in the same boat as myself, I put some pics below for reference Non-fouler & spacer separated: Non-fouler & spacer together: Installed on downpipes: |
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12-01-2015, 11:19 AM | #9 |
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Well done brotha! Going to have to modify my tune and do the same thing.
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12-02-2015, 03:19 PM | #12 |
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No visual inspection?... granted unless you know the car good luck finding them with out removing alot of pieces
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12-02-2015, 03:41 PM | #13 | |
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On the X5 it would be tough to verify that you removed your stock CATS unless they remove the engine cover and heat shield. These guys do nothing more than plug-in to your OBD-2 port, run the test, and tell you if you pass/fail with a print out. |
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12-03-2015, 07:15 AM | #14 | |
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06-03-2016, 06:16 PM | #16 |
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I'm going to be doing the same thing here soon. Anyone know if the angle ones work just as well?
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07-05-2016, 12:42 PM | #17 |
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Going to have to do this to pass NYS emissions even though Active Autowerks assured me that upgrading to stage 2+ would pass 7 out 8 readiness codes...SURVEY SAYS XXX
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07-06-2016, 02:39 PM | #18 |
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The marketing is deceptive from most of these tuners that they eliminate the CEL associated with catless downpipes, when all they do it turn off the O2 routine for the rear cats. That's fine and dandy until you have to go for emissions and they scan your OBD-II port. For the money spent on these tunes they should be able to do a force readiness check that tricks the ECU into thinking all is well. That's how we did it on other platforms on a FREE OpenSource tuning solution.
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07-07-2016, 07:20 AM | #19 | |
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For the amount of money we spend on these tunes and "magical" pipes, every distributor should be liable to pick up the fees($35) for all of us that fail emissions as we still end up paying pass or fail!
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07-07-2016, 08:56 PM | #21 |
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I should be good brother, thanks I appreciate it I'm pretty sure my buddy figured out a way for me to pass emissions...the fouler and spacer wouldn't work on my truck for some reason
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07-08-2016, 11:32 AM | #22 |
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