Smog Check-Secondary Air Reset

There's an active thread concerning the secondary air reset that you might want to read up on:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/technical-q-sponsored-algar-ferrari/523390-360-modena-codes-w-o-cel.html

 

Maybe your standards are tighter, but the car should pass the e-test with one monitor not set. If you have more then 2 monitors not set the car will fail.

 

For what it is worth I have a 2007 612 and haven't had problems passing CA smog check. Some years ago it was the rolling road test, while recent ones have been OBDII connect only.

 

Ferrari represents their cars are EPA-compliant in all fifty states, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to sell any in the US in the first place. Your car from Florida can’t pass the California smog test. Although you did not buy your car from them, the dealership you are working with acknowledges there is an issue with your car’s secondary air system readiness test. This could be viewed as having merit of arguing who should fix your car properly, especially since there is at least one other 2007 612 in California that passes inspection.

 

Which authorized Ferrari dealer is telling you that there is nothing that can be done to get your 612 to pass smog? Ferrari of Newport Beach? Time to call FNA.

 

Ron - being new to the forum, be sure to check your private messages folder. Therein you will find a note with a not-so-subtle strategy of how you may find resolution to the problem. It is along the lines of the comment by ar4me but goes into more detail. It seems that you have been rather patient with each visit to the dealership, only to experience the same unresolved outcome. Rather than the unthinkable of relinquishing your Ferrari because of a software glitch, if the dealership acknowledges there is a problem it may be time to "take the gloves off" because whether they realize it or not, that dealership just admitted a degree of culpability in exposing FNA to a recurring problem.

 

Ron, That era V12 engine is notoriously difficult to set secondary air monitors on. It is one of those issues where it sometimes requires multiple very minor repairs and finally it will set. The parameters are so tight! Your exhaust needs to be leak free, especially on cold start. lots of cars have a slight leak at the exhaust manifolds that keeps the monitor from setting (too much oxygen read by the O2 sensors). Have that checked. The oxygen sensors themselves have to be in good condition and not slow or lazy. The mechanical valves for the secondary air get carbon clogged and do not always open all the way, they may need to be replaced. There may be excessive carbon built up in the passage from the valve into the exhaust, blow compressed air through to check and clear out while replacing mechanical valves. Make sure there is no leaks from the pump to the mechanical valves, you need that air pressure to be as high as possible. Then after all that is verified and in good order the Ecu's need to be reset and a very specific test drive needs to be performed. Your Dealer is obviously going to charge for that work but there is no way around it. I have had cars that had no faults in either Ecu. They needed all that and more and still took about two weeks and 200 miles of specific driving to set the monitors. Changes in the smog laws a little over a year ago has caused a flood of cars not to pass and need extra work. I know thats a lot of technical talk but hopefully it helps and gives you some options.

 

Perhaps Ron should consider sending his car up to you since you have experience with the problem. Petaluma is a nice day's drive up the coast from Corona Del Mar, drop off the car, fly home, and when it is sorted fly back up, and drive it back down The drive from Monterey and south on Hwy 1 should bring some Ferrari smiles back on your face Ron

 

Exactly Ron, there isn't necessarily a problem with your car. It's just that the secondary air is not running as efficient as it was originally designed. So the monitor won't pass. After dieselgate ( VW emissions scandal) the old software fix is not an option anymore. That's not official but it's what I gather from my experience. So as time goes on this will become an issue for more Ferrari owners than it used to be.

 

Good luck Ron and keep us updated

 

Guess I may have a surprise too when my 612 is due for smog later this summer - hadn't had an issue in the past, but if the new requirements since my last smog are stricter, who knows...

 

Thanks Ron. Will keep it in mind.

 

Although this thread originated with a concern for a 612, perhaps it may be helpful that I was able to clear the secondary air readiness code on my 360. I followed the FNA 20 driving reset procedure, paying particular attention to the step that outlines driving at 2500 RPM in fourth gear for 3.5 miles then gradually accelerating to 4500 RPM then slowing (without clutching or braking) to 2000 RPM.

My previous understanding was that each step of the driving procedure must be a seamless transition from one to the next. I now believe that to not be true, because each step the ECU step is testing for specific parameters. After a parameter is okay, the ECU then tests the next parameter under different driving conditions. Each test is “independent” of each other, although all of the OBD systems are related one way or another, however slight.

After performing the prescribed ten minute drive at the end of that procedure I made a u-turn for the trip home. Being early in the morning there was no traffic, so I let the engine breath hard. I let off the gas at almost 160 MPH to let the engine slow the car down from about 7000 RPM to 3500 RM in sixth gear without clutching, so there was a stronger vacuum than in the step where I slowed from 4500 RPM to 2000 RPM in fourth gear.

I am not certain if clearing the secondary air readiness code was a result of slowing the car during normal driving or by slowing the car from the high-speed pass. It seems plausible the success of the purge function is dependent on how strong of a vacuum is being pulled on the evaporative system. Below are the conditions of the before and after readiness codes.
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Purchased from Harbor Freight for $70. It provides a host of other information which is recording while data logging. Other parameters that I find particularly useful are fuel trim, mass airflow and air intake temperature.

I previously used a wireless interface module that works with any number of free apps. One day my phone stopped communicating, no matter which of the three modules I plugged into the OBD port and no matter which of the three apps I have on my phone. I tried every combination then gave up and bought the Centech 60693.

Yes, you can clear the CEL codes yourself with this tool.

 

Hey Ron,
I've had the same problem for a year with my 2005 575 Superamerica. The car
has been in independent Ferrari shop for a month. After much testing top 4 oxy-
sensors were replaced & no help, now lower 4 oxy-sensors have been replaced &
testing continues to try to set secondary air code,so far no word from shop..
The ca state referee denied my request for extension,so no lic sticker yet. May have to go out of state for register. What a mess,hope you have better luck Ron.
Troy