Code out rear o2's? Spacers? Failing inspection in NJ

[JD797]

I apologize in advance if this has been beaten to death, but I did do a fair amount of research on it and need a little more help. I have a B5 S4 with a failed inspection sticker and SSAC downpipes. Because of the aftermarket pipes my rear o2 sensors are tied up, which give me a CEL. This makes passing inspection quite difficult in the Garden State, lol. I've read that some people code the rear o2's out, some also code the "readiness" out, and some use spacers to fix their problem. I haven't seen much clarification on how to go about these procedures and it's been a while since I've kept up with the forums and things, not that I ever had a ton of technical/mechanical knowledge to begin with. If someone can help me out, or even point me in the right direction to get this fixed so I can pass inspection, ideally without swapping the stock pipes back in, it would be greatly greatly appreciated.

[PAT@RSW]

You have to get the CEL to go off with spacers. You will not pass inspection if you code them out, readiness will not set if someone plays with ECU programming.

[JD797]

How do I go about doing that exactly? Does it require much labor/$$$?

[JD797]

Also, for what it's worth, my rear o2 sensors are tied up because they couldn't reach. Are the spacers supposed to help the sensors reach?

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

034Motorsport Oxygen Sensor Spacer

This oxygen spacer spaces out the secondary (rear) O2 sensor to remove MIL or CEL issues caused by removing the factory catalytic converter. Professionally manufactured from stainless steel by 034Motorsport. Works will ALL O2 sensor designs on the market. Spacer will add approximately 1.7" to the height of the sensor. 034Motorsport oxygen sensor spacers feature a flare seal seat, so no sealing washer or gasket is required. Install with antisieze.

[JD797]

So to get rid of the CEL I would have to connect the spacers to the downpipes and then the sensors to the spacers?

[shonseb]

So to get rid of the CEL I would have to connect the spacers to the downpipes and then the sensors to the spacers?

Yes, but it may or may not work. I've heard mixed reviews on spacers. Sometimes people still get a CEL, more often when running the car into high revs (because of higher Co2?). But a spacer is your best bet short of taking the pipes out. I've heard most success is when people put this on and then if they have a code, they clear it right before inspection and have no problem.

This is just what I've read in the forums. I have no personal experience in this, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt.

[dannyn424]

spacers work on all 2ndary o2's b/c it lets them breathe cleaner air than front o2's and ecu shows cats doing it jobs........... BTW I need these bad....

[phila_dot]

What tuning are you currently running?

Readiness can be set with a code out.

[POPO]

JD, have you thought about this Mini Catalytic Converter. I have something similar to it. It may work for you if you have a stock ecu. I cant pass emissions either due to my revo file even though vag-ccom indicates all systems are ready.

[zadeluca]

^ yes. i just installed mine, but i got these ones http://bigdaddiesgarage.com/angled-cel-fix.html

you can also do it much cheaper with spark plug anti-foulers from autozone (2 for each sensor, drill out the bottom of one of them and stack them up)

unfortunately i didnt actually read the codes before doing it, and one of the o2's is actually bad (its bent, looks like it hit the ground or a curb or something) so i cant comment on their effectiveness yet. I have read mixed reviews on this forum, which is surprising to me because on all other cars i have owned and read about, this trick worked