Emissions Compliance

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Villager. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Canada and some states or metropolitan areas in the United States require periodic emission, or Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) tests. All Ford products have been designed to pass these tests. If a Ford vehicle fails an I/M test, ensure correct model, year, test weight (less than vehicle's GVW) and correct calibration (California or Federal) are on test report.

Identify which gas readings are high or low and identify in which mode gas(es) failed. If all gases were high at beginning of test then decreased, engine or catalytic converter temperature may not have been at normal operating temperature and stabilized prior to test, or vehicle had idled for an excessive period of time prior to test.

If any emission component is changed, PCM memory should be cleared before repeating state emission test procedure. See PCM RESET PROCEDURE under CLEARING CODES under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article.

Check secondary ignition system. See TEST JB: IGNITION MISFIRE UNDER LOAD under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article.
Check fuel delivery system. See TEST HC: FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article.
Check PCV system. See TEST HG: POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article.
Check EVAP system. See TEST HX: EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article or EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM TESTS in SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - VILLAGER article.
Check intake air system. See TEST HU: AIR INTAKE & THROTTLE BODY under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article.
Check for exhaust system restriction. See TEST HF: CATALYST EFFICIENCY MONITOR & EXHAUST SYSTEMS , step 5) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - VILLAGER article.
Ensure engine operates at normal operating temperature. See appropriate procedures in COOLING SYSTEM CONCERNS - ENGINE OVERHEATING or COOLING SYSTEM CONCERNS - ENGINE RUNS COLD .
Check engine mechanical condition. Check compression, camshaft, valve train components, etc. Repair as necessary. See appropriate article in ENGINES.
Check for vacuum leaks.
Check for intermittent faults. See INTERMITTENT PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS .