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View Full Version : Justin - Could tune lead to emissions test failure? Help ASAP!


Yuke2K
12-01-2010, 06:34 PM
*Originally posted in General Chat section, re-posted here for direct help*

Hey guys. I just sold my Yukon, and the new owner is saying that it just failed emissions today. By law, I am required to fix it or buy the truck back...which sucks. Colorado just started testing for Nitrous Oxide (NOX) emissions this year. The maximum allowable NOX reading is 2.0, and it's showing 2.27, just barely a failure.

The truck has NEVER failed a test before now. The exhaust is entirely stock.

It has a 91 octane tune, and I'm at altitude in Denver. Could the timing changes or whatever was done for the tune have something to do with the increased NOX readings? The new owner put 85 octane in it against my advice, and the CEL came on due to the knock sensors getting angry. He has since put 91 octane in it and had the code cleared by a mechanic friend of mine; it hasn't come back on to my knowledge.

It has a AEM Brute Force intake, new MAF sensor as of last year, new spark plugs/wires last year. All regular maintenance. Again, the exhaust is bone stock.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Gotta get this figured out quick, and I'd like to avoid shelling out $800 bucks for new cats if it turns out that replacing them is the only thing that will fix this.

JennaBear
12-01-2010, 06:47 PM
The tune will often cause emissions to go down, not up. If you never replaced your cats, they are 10 years old, and are probably needing to be tossed. You can get new Magnaflow cats for $65 a piece- they are the likely culprit.

Yuke2K
12-01-2010, 07:08 PM
Thanks Jenna. Also understand that I'm not unhappy with the tune - at all - just trying to get this figured out before I have to buy the truck back! :Handshake:

Magnaflow makes a sh*tload of cats, lol...P/N 45006 is the one listed for the Yukon, and they are ~$200 each. Do you have a part number suggestion by any chance that would be cheaper but still do the job?

Edit: Found one better, P/N 94106, 13" x 6 1/2". Sound like a winner? $65/ea from allexhaust.com

---------- Post added at 05:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------

Whats odd is that EVERY other catagory on the emissions passed just fine. Should we jump right in and suspect the cats of starting to go bad for just one issue? It didn't fail by much. Are there any other mechanical issues or sensors that could increase NOX readings? There are no associated CELs involving the cats.

JennaBear
12-01-2010, 07:09 PM
If you are going to do 45006, then I would suggest the magnaflow 93149 bolt on.