1988 F150 4.9L 6 Cylinder - won't pass smog, Would fuel injection cleaning work?

Asked by wolphman Jan 13, 2013 at 07:22 PM about the 1988 Ford F-150

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My F150 won't pass smog, Catalytic was checked, no exhaust leaks, engine tuned,  new air and oil filters. Would a fuel injection cleaning work? Problem seems to be at the exhaust. HC are high.

4 Answers

175,815

Fuel injector cleaning might help. I have heard of some gas tank liquids that are supposed to help. New York doesn't check for smog... Are there any rules for checking smog on a 25 year old vehicle in your state? In NY they are considered vintage or antique and no longer required to conform to today's rules.

3 people found this helpful.

California is pretty tough, especially smog. I brought truck in from New Mexico. Needed to get it weighed, and smogged. I will try the fuel injection cleaning and gas treatments as well. thank you

Go to a referee. Calif has the Highway Patrol referee stations for just what you describe, a vehicle that won't pass at a "check only" shop, or what they are are smog inspector places that will pass/fail but do not do repairs. Then if you go to a smog and repair shop and they still won't pass it, then that's where the CHP referee comes in. It used to be, years ago, that a 20 year old vehicle did not have to be checked..not any more. Cars are also rated by the State with a "green rating" determining whether you have to smog it every 2 or 5 years

2 people found this helpful.
10

I'm having the same issue with mine now. Did the cleaning help? Or was it something else?

1 people found this helpful.

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