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    Land Cruiser Emissions Update

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    • benjrblant
      benjrblant last edited by

      PXL_20201130_151440442.MP.jpg
      The Land Cruiser has failed its 3rd emissions test. After new plugs, new plug wires, new distributor cap/rotor, new primary O2 sensor, and new EGR VSV, a spirited drive to heat the cats and 91 octane to reduce pre-ignition, it produced its worst test results to date.

      Apart from a few last-ditch efforts, the consensus is that it's time for new cats. Current options are Magnaflow aftermarket ones for about $600 which have a life expectancy of 3-5 years, or OEM cats for about $2k which should last another 15-25 years.

      I'm ready for this year to be over.

      Dr. Zoidberg pip bip J 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • Chariotoflove
        Chariotoflove last edited by

        Rats. Sounds like OEM would be the way to go, except what’s your ownership expectancy for the car?

        Curator, Kia enthusiast, dad joke specialist

        benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • benjrblant
          benjrblant @Chariotoflove last edited by

          @chariotoflove said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

          Rats. Sounds like OEM would be the way to go, except what’s your ownership expectancy for the car?

          I'd like to think that I'll own this vehicle until it's no longer drivable, but I realize that might be beyond my control at some point. It's almost 24 years old with 195k miles at this point, so I'm really not sure where to go.

          Chariotoflove 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Chariotoflove
            Chariotoflove @benjrblant last edited by Chariotoflove

            @benjrblant said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

            @chariotoflove said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

            Rats. Sounds like OEM would be the way to go, except what’s your ownership expectancy for the car?

            I'd like to think that I'll own this vehicle until it's no longer drivable, but I realize that might be beyond my control at some point. It's almost 24 years old with 195k miles at this point, so I'm really not sure where to go.

            Well, if you feel that way about it, then you probably have to get the best parts that are worth the money. Cheaping out on lesser ones will probably hasten it’s demise and increase your frustration. The only reason to go cheaper would be if you are looking to sell within the next couple of years.

            Curator, Kia enthusiast, dad joke specialist

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • frinesi2
              frinesi2 last edited by frinesi2

              Cats are designed to last (I think by federal mandate) 10 years and/or 100,000 miles. Yours have lasted twice that long. Since it's a Land Cruiser, I'd say that it's worth the OEM cats if you have the budget.

              Okay never mind everybody else's ideas are way better.

              ERROR

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              cannot be longer than 75
              character(s).

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Albino Kangaroo
                Albino Kangaroo last edited by Albino Kangaroo

                What year is the LC again? For $600 I assume those are the direct fit aftermarket versions? If direct fit, go with those and invest the remaining $1400. They have a 5 year 25k mile warranty. See where you are with both in 5 years. Your $1400 will be back to $2k in value and If there are problems with the cats you can still buy another set and for $600 and be set for another 5 years.

                Traveling USA - Currently in the Southwest

                benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Krusty Walnut
                  Krusty Walnut last edited by Krusty Walnut

                  Save your money. Spend the $600 now and take the $1400 balance and invest it into something that will appreciate over time. You might lose 3 to 5 years of utility after 15 years if you buy $2,000 of the less expensive cats, but you'll be ahead financially even after spending some of the money for replacement cats. Of course you might sell or junk the LC after 5 years and will be ahead financially also.

                  "Courage is often found at the other side of trying"

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                  • benjrblant
                    benjrblant @Albino Kangaroo last edited by

                    @66p1800inpieces said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

                    What year is the LC again? For $600 I assume those are the direct fit aftermarket versions? If direct fit, go with those and invest the remaining $1400. They have a 5 year 25k mile warranty. See where you are with both in 5 years. Your $1400 will be back to $2k in value and If there are problems with the cats you can still buy another set and for $600 and be set for another 5 years.

                    1. Magnaflow sells a "direct fit" front and rear cat for my vehicle but the shop experience is that it still takes some BFH-ing to fit.
                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Albino Kangaroo
                      Albino Kangaroo last edited by

                      Yeah, all aftermarket stuff should just come with oval holes to ensure things fit.

                      Traveling USA - Currently in the Southwest

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • Dr. Zoidberg
                        Dr. Zoidberg @benjrblant last edited by

                        @benjrblant My state used to offer this thing where, if you spent over $175.00 at a certified mechanic for emissions repair, they would allow you to renew registration. Does colorado offer anything like that?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • VincentMalamute
                          VincentMalamute last edited by

                          Vote for OEM cats if you're keeping it a while. My buddy has an 2001 Audi A8 and has gone through several (maybe three?) of the Magnaflow cats in the last few years. They may have a 5 year warranty but they won't reimburse you for the hassle and the labor to remove and install.

                          ...meh...

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • ?
                            A Former User last edited by

                            @benjrblant Can you post the results so I can provide some insight?

                            benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • benjrblant
                              benjrblant @Guest last edited by

                              @his_stigness PXL_20201201_215048684.jpg PXL_20201201_215040476.jpg
                              Colorado uses an IM240 test. This means nothing to me, maybe it does to you?

                              ? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • ?
                                A Former User @benjrblant last edited by

                                @benjrblant

                                Holy son of a bitch. Now I want to slap anyone who bitches about the smog program in California. The IM240 is a simulated test similar to an EPA certification. Ours in California is a joke compared to that. The "hard" test is a simulated load on the dyno and the car is run at most 90 seconds at 15mph in 2nd gear, and then 25 mph in 2nd gear. But we also have "fast pass" where if the readings are lower enough the test is sped up and only lasts about 30 seconds or so. It's a joke.

                                But now to actual help. I can almost guarantee your problem is NOT the catalytic converters. Most likely based on the parts you've replaced so far I'd be looking at compression. You're failing for quite high CO readings. CO is indicative of INCOMPLETE combustion. HC is just raw fuel (so think leaking injector/miss-fire). And NOx is related to fuel ratio. Too lean and combustion will be too hot. But you have an EGR valve so the problems almost always lie there.

                                So check compression on all cylinders. Do both a wet and dry test.

                                But you can also easily test the catalytic converter efficiency with an IR probe and measure the temp before the bed and after. You should see about a 10% difference in the readings indicating that the bed is working. If you see no change then it's a safe bet the converter is bad. But like I said, just seeing high CO doesn't lead me to believe it's the cats. While replacing them may solve your problem, you'd be masking it and fail the next go around.

                                benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • pip bip
                                  pip bip @benjrblant last edited by

                                  @benjrblant that's why inspections suck.

                                  2014 Chery J3 - (18/7/20) meh.
                                  2011 Geely MK 1.5L (1/7/21)
                                  🇺🇦

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • J
                                    jrpdx2 @benjrblant last edited by

                                    @benjrblant You might try Rockauto.com, two Walker cats and shipping for about $325?

                                    benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • Old Busted Hotness
                                      Old Busted Hotness last edited by

                                      Check your state laws. They might exempt you from testing when the car is 25 years old. In that case, park it for a year.

                                      1988 LTD Crown Victoria LX formal roof, 62k survivor
                                      2018 CX-5 Sport AWD

                                      benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • benjrblant
                                        benjrblant @jrpdx2 last edited by

                                        @jrpdx2 said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

                                        @benjrblant You might try Rockauto.com, two Walker cats and shipping for about $325?

                                        Rock Auto does not ship to Denver because of sales tax reasons. )=

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • benjrblant
                                          benjrblant @Old Busted Hotness last edited by

                                          @old-busted-hotness said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

                                          Check your state laws. They might exempt you from testing when the car is 25 years old. In that case, park it for a year.

                                          Colorado does not have a rolling cutoff for emissions testing. Anything made after 1976 registered in certain counties is required to have an emissions test.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • benjrblant
                                            benjrblant @Guest last edited by

                                            @his_stigness
                                            Thank you for your input! Wouldn't low compression show itself in other ways, such as a misfire, CEL, PCV problems, or some other crankcase pressure? It runs just fine in every other way and this is the first time i've heard of low compression causing high emissions.

                                            ? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • ?
                                              A Former User @benjrblant last edited by

                                              @benjrblant said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

                                              @his_stigness
                                              Thank you for your input! Wouldn't low compression show itself in other ways, such as a misfire, CEL, PCV problems, or some other crankcase pressure? It runs just fine in every other way and this is the first time i've heard of low compression causing high emissions.

                                              Most likely yes. But it's a good place to start. Same with checking the temperature of the catalytic converters.

                                              Also, I should have asked already, but what year is the Land Cruiser?

                                              benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • rctothefuture
                                                rctothefuture last edited by

                                                Pull a @Miss-Mercedes and register it in Vermont.

                                                2014 Mini Paceman S
                                                1995 Ford Probe GT

                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                • benjrblant
                                                  benjrblant @Guest last edited by

                                                  @his_stigness said in Land Cruiser Emissions Update:

                                                  Also, I should have asked already, but what year is the Land Cruiser?

                                                  1997, OBD2, has two inline cats.

                                                  ? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • ?
                                                    A Former User @benjrblant last edited by

                                                    @benjrblant

                                                    Well those numbers are screaming combustion issue to me. Nothing about those numbers indicate a bad catalytic converter.

                                                    But, let me backpedal a little bit. In your post you say you only replaced the primary O2 sensor. That engine should have four: 1 per back pre cat and 1 on each bank post cat. So what O2 sensors have you replaced?

                                                    benjrblant 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • benjrblant
                                                      benjrblant @Guest last edited by

                                                      @his_stigness It's got two O2 sensors, one pre-cat and one post-cat. this engine is an inline 6 with a 3-into-2 header and the first cat is a Y-pipe into one. both cats are inline, both cats receive 100% exhaust. They're heated, non-wide band sensors.

                                                      ? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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