Emission Investigations Report


5426
               United States
               Environmental Protection
               Agency
Mobte Source Enforcement
Division
Washington, DC. 20460
June 1976
               Emission
               Investigations
               Report
            OOOR76003
                  i.nvirj-.3Ge::fcdi 1 r.-section Agency
                  Rcsiovi \\ Lib;

                  230 South Daar'boi-n Street
                  Chic-jgo9 Illinois 6060H

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

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^^Environmental News
O'Neill (202) 755-0344

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY. JUNE 25, 1976
EPA RELEASES REPORT ON AUTO RECALL INVESTIGATIONS

The Office of Enforcement of the Environmental Protection

Agency today issued a report listing all cases of suspected

vehicle emissions problems which were under formal investigation

by the Mobile Source Enforcement Division as of June 1, 1976.

The report lists twenty-five classes of vehicles which
are under investigation for possible recall.

Stanley W. Legro, EPA's Assistant Administrator for
Enforcement, emphasized that: "The fact that a class of
vehicles is under investigation is not reason to conclude
that a recall necessarily will be ordered as a result.
It does mean, however, that emissions data indicate a
potential violation of emissions standards or that some
defect related to emissions controls may exist."

However, EPA's chief enforcement officer stated:
"In those cases where investigation reveals a basis for
recall, we will move promptly to order the recall."

Information bearing on any of the listed investiga-
tions or any emissions problems on classes of vehicles
not listed is solicited from the public.

Persons with information bearing on current "investiga-
tions or additional emissions-related problems are invited
to write to: Director, Mobile Source Enforcement Division
(EN-340), 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.

(more)
Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material O, or if change of address is needed G (indicate change, including zip code).
EPA FORM 1510-1 (REV. 8-72)
R-175

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                              -2-
     Reports should indicate the make, model, year and
serial number (VIN) of the vehicle, if known, and all
facts related to the suspected problem.

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               EMISSIONS INVESTIGATIONS REPORT

     The Office of Enforcement, Environmental Protection
Agency, through its Mobile Source Enforcement Division, has
undertaken formal investigations of those vehicle classes
listed in this Report for possible noncompliance with air
pollutant emissions standards.  The authority for this
investigative activity is section 207(c) of the Clean Air
Act which provides that if a substantial number of vehicles
of any class, although properly maintained and used, do not
conform to the emissions standards when in actual use, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall
order the manufacturer to recall the vehicles to remedy the
nonconformity.

     The Environmental Protection Agency is constantly alert
for the existence of possible nonconformities and seeks
information about possible emissions noncompliance through a
number of programs.  Informal .investigation activities are
ongoing at all times.  In many of these, a preliminary
inquiry indicates that there is not a sufficient basis for
going forward.  However, where based upon the preliminary
inquiry a decision is made that a formal investigation
should be initiated, the manufacturer is notified in writing,
the formal investigation is begun and is listed in the
Environmental Protection Agency Emissions Investigations
Report,

     The fact that a class is under investigation should not
be cause to assume that noncompliance, in fact, exists or
that a recall determination will be made.  A formal investigation
is initiated when an emissions-related problem has been
indicated, either by the report of a defect or the receipt
of emissions data, and sufficient information exists to
warrant a formal recall investigation. The aim of a formal
investigation is to collect additional information, to
determine the extent and, if possible, the cause of non-
conformities, and to determine if the recall of that class
of vehicles is appropriate.  The Agency will make public its
conclusions upon completion of each formal investigation-

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     EPA solicits from the public any pertinent information
relating to the cases listed.  Persons with information
bearing on current investigations or other indications of
possible emissions nonconformities are invited to write to:

     Director, Mobile Source Enforcement Division (EN-340)
     U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
     401 M Street, S.W.
     Washington, D.C.   20460

     Reports should indicate the make, model, year and
serial number (VIN) of the vehicle, if known, and all
pertinent facts relating to the suspectofd problem.
                              Stanley *Vif.  Legi
                 Assistant Administrator for Enforcement

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     INVESTIGATIONS

     For the purposes of this report, MSED considers a possible

emissions-related problem to be an "investigation" during the

period when information about the potential problem is being

actively solicited by the Agency through surveys of vehicle

owners or users, when testing and data analysis are being per-

formed, or whiJLo- manufacturers' data are under review.  As will

be seen from the report, EPA conducts investigations involving

an identifiable component defect as well as investigations in

which no defect has been identified but where emissions levels

are suspected of exceeding the standards.  EPA is interested in

receiving any pertinent information in either of those two areas
        Cases of Suspected Emissions-Related Problems
           Under Investigation as of June 1, 1976
Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:

Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-6

American Motors

Pacers with 232 and 258 CID engines

1975

Excessive carbon monoxide
(CO) emissions

Undetermined

ISIone obvious to driver

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 Case  No.:

 Manufacturer:

 Vehicle Class:

 Year :

   Possible Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:

   Apparent Symptoms:
75-3

Chrysler

318 and 360 CID engines

1974

Excessive hydrocarbon  (KG)
and carbon nonoxide  (CO) emission;

Undetermined

Vehicle may fail State emissions
tests
 Case No.:

 Manufacturer:

 Vehicle Class:



 Year:

   Possible Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:

   Apparent Symptoms;
 75-7

 Chrysler

 Chryslers, Plyruouths  and  Dodges,
 all v;ith  catalyst-equipped  360
 or 400  CID engines

 1975

 Excessive carbon monoxide
 (CO)  emissions

 Undetermined

 Hydrogen  sulfide  (rotten  egg)
 odor; vehicle may  fail State
 emissions test
Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:

Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:



  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-22

Chrysler

198 and 225 CID engines

1973

Excessive carbon monoxide
(CO) and oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver

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 Case No.:

 Manufacturer:

 Vehicle Class:



                     CID
                     318
                     440

 Year:

   Possible Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:

   Apparent Symptoms:
 76-20

 Chrysler

 Chryslers with one of the  following
 engine  CID and carburetion com-
 binations:

 Carburetor
 1 barrel
 4 barrel

 1975

 Excessive carbon monoxide  (CO)
 and hydrocarbon  (HC) emissions

 Overly  rich  carburetion  at idle

 Hydrogen sulfide  (rotten egg) odor;
 vehicle may  fail State emissions
 test
Case No,:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:

Year:

  Possible Eini-sSions Problem:


  Potential  Causa:

  Apparent Symptoms:
76-21

Chrysler

318 CID  (noncatalyst)  engines

1975

Excessive carbon monoxide
(CO) emissions

Carburetor defect

None obvious'to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:

Years:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Causei


  Apparent Symptoms:
76-1

General Motors

Pontiacs with V-3 engines

Late 1973,- all 1974

Excessive oxides of nitrogen.
(NOx) emissions

Failure of cold temperature
thermal vacuum valve

None obvious to driver
Case No;:

Manufactuer:

Vehicle Class:


Years:

   Possible  Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:
   Apparent Syrr.ptons:
76-2

General l-loiiors

Chevrolet Vegas with 140 CID
engines

1972, 197.3r 1974

Excessive hydrocarbon  (HC)
and carbon ir.onoxide  (CO) ernissioi

Excessive oil consumption
possibly as a result of valve
stem oil seal failure, cylinder
wall scoring or other  causes

High oil consumption

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:
Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
76-11

General Motors

Chevrolets with 400 CID engines and
4 barrel carburetors:  Monte Carlo,
Chevelle, Belair, Impala, Caprice,
El Camino

1975

Excessive oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver
Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:


Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem;


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
76-12
           •
General Motors

Pontiacs with catalyst-equipped
350 and 400 CID engines

1975

Excessive oxides of nitrogen
(NOx)

Undetermined

None obvious to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle  Class:
                     CID
                     350
                     400
                     455
                     350
                     455

 Year:

   Possible Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:

   Apparent Symptoms:
76-18

General Motors

Pontiacs with one of the following
engine CID and carburetion
combinations:

Carburetor
2 barrel
2 or 4 barrel
4 barrel

Oldsmobiles with one of the
following combinations:

4 barrel
4 barrel

1975

Excessive carbon monoxide  (CO)
and hydrocarbon  (HC) emissions

Overly rich  carburetion at idle

Hydrogen sulfide  (rotten egg)
odor; vehicle may fail State
emissions test
Case No. :

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:


Years:

  Possible Emissions Problem:

  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-20

Toyo Kogyo

Mazdas with 70 CID rotary
engines:  RX2, RX3

1973, 1974

Excessive hydrocarbon  (HC) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:


Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptons:
76-19

Ford

Fords with 460 CID engines and
4 barrel carburetors

1975

Excessive carbon monoxide (CO)
and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions

Overly rich carburetion at idle

Hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg)
odor; vehicle may fail State
emissions test
Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle  Class:



Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-5

General Motors

Cadillacs with 500 CID engines:
Brougham,, Calais, DeVille,
Eldorado, Fleetwood

1975

Excessive carbon monoxide
(CO) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:

Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Causa:

  Apparent Syraptoras:
76-22

Chrysler

225 CID catalyst-equipped engines

1975

Excessive carbon monoxide  (CO)
emissions

Carburetor misadjustment

Hydrogen, sulfide  (rotten egg)
odor; vehicle nay fail State
emissions test

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Case No.:

Manufacturer

Vehicle Class:
Year:

  Possible Emissions Problems:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-8A

Ford

Ford Mavericks, Granadas and
Mustangs and Mercury Comets and
Monarchs, all with 250 CID EGR/AIR
(non-catalyst) engines

1975

Excessive carbon raonoxids  (CO)
emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver
Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:
Year:

   Possible Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:

   Apparent Symptoms:
75-8B

Ford

Ford Maveri'c*ks, Granadas and Mustangs
and Mercury Comets and Monarchs, all
with 302 CID EGR/AIR  (non-catalyst)
engines

1975

Excessive hydrocarbon  (HC)
emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:


Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-18

Ford

351C CID engines with 4 barrel
carburetors

1973

Excessive hydrocarbon (HC)
and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver
 Case  No.

 Manufacturer:

 Vehicle Class:
 Year:

   Possible Emissions Problem:


   Potential Cause:

   Apparent Symptoms:
 75-19

 Ford

 Ford Torinos, Mustangs, Rancheros,
 Customs, Galaxie 500s, LTDs, Country
 Sedans  and Squires and Mercury
 Montegos, all v/ith 351C CID engines
 and 2 barrel carburetors

 1973

 Excessive carbon monoxide  (CO)
 emissions

 Undetermined

 None obvious to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:
Year:

  Possible  EiTilssions Problem.:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent  Symptoms:
76-5

Ford

Ford Custon 500s, Galaxie 500s,
LTDs, and Torinos and Mercury
Cougars and Hontegos, all with
351V7 CID, engines and 2 barrel
carburetors

1974

Excessive carbon monoxide  (CO)
and hydrocarbon  (HC) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver
  Case No.:

  Manufacturer:

  Vehicle Class:
  Year:

    Feasible Emissions
 76-15B

 Ford

 Fords, and Mercurys with 351W CID
 engines:  Ford Granada, F-100
 Torino, Elite„ and Ranchero and
 Mercury Monarch,  Montego and Couga:
 1975

 Excessive oxide
 (NOx) en-^ .iti.o ••
,:i hrog^vs

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Case No.

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:


Years:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential  Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-1

Toyota

Coronas, Celicas and HiLux
Pickups, all with 18 R-C engines

1972, 1973

Excessive hydrocarbon
 (HC) emissions

Valve burning

Poor driveability  (hard starting,
low power, engine overheating)
Case No.

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:
Year:

  Possible Emissions Problem:


  Potential Cause:

  Apparent Symptoms:
76-13

Toyota

Corollas with 97 CID (1600cc)
engines and Coronas, Celicas and
Hilux pickups all with 133 CID
(2200cc) engines

1975

Excessive oxides of .nitrogen
(NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious to driver

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Case No.:

Manufacturer:

Vehicle Class:

Year:

  Possible Emissions  Problem


  Potential  Symptoms:

  Apparent Symptoms:
75-21

Volkswagen

97 CID engines

1974

Excessive hydrocarbon  (HC)  and
carbon monoxide  (CO) emissions

Undetermined

None obvious  to  driver
 Case No.:

 Manufacturer:

 Vehicle Class:


 Years:

   Possible Emissions Problems:


   Potential Cause:



   Apparent Symptoms:
 75-13

 Volvo

 Volvo 142, 144, 145, and  164  and
 P-1800

 1972, 1973

 Excessive evaporative
 hydrocarbon  (HC) emissi6ns

 Rubber deterioration allows  fuel
 leakage especially after  lack of
 use in cold weather for several day

 None obvious to driver
                    Agency
 T^orr ?' Q-'^ Yf 1 -^ j^cA"1"/
 230 South Dearborn Street
 Chlce.qoB Illinois  6060H

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             UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
            OFFIC IAL BUSINESS
     PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300
    AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
         POSTAGE AND FEES F^AID
U.S.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                  EPA-335

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