Increased emissions, but no codes from Carly

[cmichaelo]

I have gotten the "increased emissions" numerous times over the winter but every time I scan with my Carly, it shows no codes. Anyone else see this?

It's an 2011 M3 coupe with 31,000 mls with the following mods that may be involved in this mystery:

ESS high flow x-pipe (installed 2016)
ESS NA ECU engine tune (installed 2017)
Voltphreaks VPH1200 Li-Ion battery (installed 2018)
High-flow Magnaflow connecting pipes (installed 2018)

The "increased emissions" problem started after I reprogrammed the ECU with the factory engine tune in order to pass inspection.

I've done this reprogramming once before, in 2017, with no issues.

I should note that during 2018 I installed the Voltphreaks battery and replaced the factory connecting pipes (between the resonators and mufflers) with a set of high-flow Magnaflow pipes.

I've yet to take the car to a dealership. I've searched the forums for similar problems and, yes, tons of "increased emissions" posts. But they all have the ECU throwing codes.

So just wondering if anyone else is seeing this and/or is having trouble with their Carly?

[cmichaelo]

And just like that, the "increased emission" warning and the "service engine soon" light went away, all by itself. Didn't even get a chance to take it to the dealer. I'm just hoping it'll stay off for at least a 100 miles so I get a chance to pass inspection.

Any similar experiences?

[randrews15]

Originally Posted by cmichaelo

And just like that, the "increased emission" warning and the "service engine soon" light went away, all by itself. Didn't even get a chance to take it to the dealer. I'm just hoping it'll stay off for at least a 100 miles so I get a chance to pass inspection.

Any similar experiences?

I've heard some people getting the increased emissions light during the winter. It's likely because the engine is running richer due to cold air being denser. I believe they were stock turns with HFCs when it happened. However, with a tune it should disable the post-cat 02 sensors and not trip the increased emissions. I'm guessing that you reinstalled the tune after emissions testing and it cleared itself out.

[cmichaelo]

Originally Posted by randrews15

I've heard some people getting the increased emissions light during the winter. It's likely because the engine is running richer due to cold air being denser. I believe they were stock turns with HFCs when it happened. However, with a tune it should disable the post-cat 02 sensors and not trip the increased emissions. I'm guessing that you reinstalled the tune after emissions testing and it cleared itself out.

No, I didn't reinstall the tune. It's been in the stock tune since middle of feb, and it's been going in/out of "increased emissions" randomly ever since. It's possible, as you mention, it's related to the weather. IOW, it's possible the "increased emissions" gets triggered on colder days, and the resetting happens on warmer days. For sure it was a warm day the other day when the MIL light went away. I'll pay closer attention. Thanks for the tip!

[jb750il]

I had that pop up a few times during this winter when I started the car and started driving away before letting it sit for a moment or two. If I turned the car off and back on the increased emissions warning one away.

[mrdoja]

I had this too, yesterday! I used a BT OBD2 scanner and pulled code p0128 - coolant temperature not reaching operating temp. I found other posts on this forum that said it could cause the emissions / SES light to appear because if engine isn't up to temp then it could possible cause increased emissions. Who knows...but I think I got the SES because of the infrequent starts during the winter..never letting the coolant get to operating temp cause I only drive around the block a few times...I cleared the fault and dove 1 hour today - no light....Good Luck!

[cmichaelo]

Originally Posted by mrdoja

I had this too, yesterday! I used a BT OBD2 scanner and pulled code p0128 - coolant temperature not reaching operating temp. I found other posts on this forum that said it could cause the emissions / SES light to appear because if engine isn't up to temp then it could possible cause increased emissions. Who knows...but I think I got the SES because of the infrequent starts during the winter..never letting the coolant get to operating temp cause I only drive around the block a few times...I cleared the fault and dove 1 hour today - no light....Good Luck!

Ha ha, and luck seems what I needed.... I weent to the inspection place like six times before the damn thing passed.

But never was any OBD2 code set. The CEL + Increased emissions msg would just come on, and always in connection with cold weather (<45), and go off again later, sometimes on the next start an hour later or sometimes a week later. What a PIA.

I spoke with an BMW specialist and he says it's quite possible the CEL light can come on and no ODB2 codes are set. A temporary conditioni can be detected and trigger the CEL monitor but not log the condition in the OBD2 memory.

However, when at the inspection station, they look at the CEL monitor system and I'm screwed every time the CEL gets triggered because I had to go through another socalled "drive cycle" which I eventually learned is not that well defined and there's several opinions on how to "get around it".

So lesson learned: Do the inspection above 45F when using HFCs.

[chermillie]

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