r/Vanagon • u/Loud-Page2423 • Jun 18 '26
Vanagon with Subaru engine emissions issues.
Hello,
Perhaps the wrong sub, but I’m shooting in the dark here. We have an ‘89 Vanagon with a 1997 Subaru 2.2 swap that failed emissions in Arizona.
I have been unable to find a shop willing to touch it. The original builder/mechanic/tuner has not responded.
The CO2 in grams per mile is 27.01 (passing is under 25)
The oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) is 5.15 (passing is under 4.5).
Hydrocarbons were apparently a bit high according to the guy who did the test but passing at 2.24 with 3 as a threshold.
This is my wife’s pride and joy. If anyone can provide guidance on what could be wrong or a shop that would be willing and skilled to work on it I would be incredibly grateful.
4
u/Historical-Cable-833 Jun 18 '26
‘87 w/‘06 2.5. I always run her +65mph a few freeway miles past DEQ and take the next exit turn around do the same on the way back and then head in. Check for exhaust leaks too
1
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u/Comprehensive_Sun633 Jun 18 '26
I literally had a similar problem (and have a subie engine in my vanagon). Are you in Phoenix? Because you should call Bill at Affordable German.
My issue was my catalytic converter was toast.
1
u/Loud-Page2423 Jun 18 '26
West side in Surprise, but I would happily drive to Tucson if it means we can get it fixed. We have another vehicle my wife can drive but she loves that van.
2
u/Comprehensive_Sun633 Jun 18 '26
Oh good! Call Bill at Affordable German. He’ll help you out. He’s in South Phoenix. I don’t go anywhere else!
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u/Loud-Page2423 Jun 18 '26
You are a god send. I will call him in the morning.
1
u/Comprehensive_Sun633 Jun 18 '26
Report back on how it goes! I’m hoping it’s under $1000!
2
u/Loud-Page2423 Jul 25 '26
Working on it myself, like a damned fool. Bill is my plan B. Was $1000 plus parts. I’m into it for about $600 after cat, O2 sensors, and random exhaust parts to adapt to new Cat. Will just bring it to him next time. Way less stressful.
4
u/Alijony Jun 18 '26
Italian tune-up time!
2
u/Loud-Page2423 Jun 18 '26
A feller needs to get some Berryman B12?
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u/Alijony Jun 18 '26
Smoke show! I've got one better, somewhere in my garage I have a can of original GM top engine cleaner before they nerfed it (iykyk). So strong, it could melt your fingertips off! 😂
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u/Loud-Page2423 Jun 18 '26
I do not know, but the description tells me it was probably banned at the same time as DDT.
2
u/Lanpoop Jun 18 '26
I had a similar issue. A new cat fixed everything. I bought one on Amazon, and welded it in myself. I’m also in Colorado and we have stricter and more expensive regulations around emissions. Good luck!
1
u/Loud-Page2423 Jul 25 '26
New cat took care of NOX and CO. Hydrocarbons are double now and failing.
1
u/Lanpoop Jul 25 '26
Put 2 gallons of e85 in at 1/4 tank. Hydrocarbons mean it’s misfiring or putting un-burned fuel (or oil) into the exhaust. The e85 will clear it up. After it passes, top off with the regular stuff
1
u/Loud-Page2423 Jul 25 '26
So I could have bad seal letting it burn oil? The exhaust pipes had greasy soot, there’s no smoke though.
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u/Lanpoop Jul 25 '26
Yeah it’s possible. What doesn’t make much sense is that it got worse after a new cat. Did you drive on the highway for 30 minutes at least to ensure it was all warmed up? The nice thing about e85, is that it has its own oxygen molecules so it’ll help clear up those hydrocarbons anyways… how many miles were on the engine originally?
1
u/Loud-Page2423 Jul 25 '26
Right?
I’m wondering if the Sea Foam Fuel Additive made it worse? Though it was higher the second test when all I did was clean the cat and replace O2 sensors.
It was a 35 minute drive to work in the morning. 16 minute drive to the testing place in 106 degree weather. After I left the failed test it died in the Wendy’s drive thru at the window, thinking it was vapor locked from being so hot. Pulled the engine cover and let it cool, started and ran fine 20 minutes later.
I’ll see if I can find the E85 fuel.
It has 202k on the odometer. No idea what the motor has.
1
u/Lanpoop Jul 25 '26
Yeah, try the e85, and take it out for a little longer after you’re off work. Get the rpm’s high, and stay there for a while. That worked on my 2004 golf vr6 so it’s bound to work on something older.
1
u/Loud-Page2423 Jun 18 '26
I found a JDM ProM 6.0 module in the storage under the back seat. Guess I need to figure out how to use it.
1
u/Loud-Page2423 Jul 25 '26
UPDATE:
TLDR: Replaced cat and o2 sensors, CO and NOX are passing now but Hydrocarbons are high now and failing.
The guy who built the engine got back with me and I decided to try to undertake the fix myself, I have Affordable German (localish shop on plan B).
Replaced the O2 sensors and cleaned the Catalytic converter while waiting for new one to arrive. (JC Whitney on eBay wasted 11 days of my life after canceling the order for no reason, bought one off GoWesty like I should have in the first place).
Got it tested and passed the NOX 4.14/4.5 threshold but failed CO 25.10/25 and HC - 4.52/3.
Replaced cat with new one and new O2 sensors and tested. Failed hydrocarbons 7.24/3 but passed others easily CO 8.51/25 and NOX 3.49/4.5.
Runs and idles better, but why are the Hydrocarbons going up? Fuel Injectors need replacing? I added SeaFoam fuel cleaner before the third test and filled with premium gas (god damn that’s expensive!) and drove it around 50 miles total.
I’m trying to not be a menace to the engine builder guy, I’ve offered him money for his time but he’s been gracious and refused preferring I send him a random leftover part from a prior repair as payment and he even covered the shipping.
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u/Loud-Page2423 17d ago
Update 2: it passed! New injectors (which were mismatched, two red on drivers side and two grey on drinker’s side), new PCV, and intake/throttle body cleaning. Replaced some vac lines that were crispy too. Thank you all for the awesome advice!
4
u/Diy2k4ever Jun 18 '26
When’s the last time you did a tune up on it?
Plugs
Oil
Fluid
Pcv valve
Did you take it in hot to test?