Hi,
A couple weeks ago I failed a smog check at both 15 mph and 25 mph due to high HC levels (passed on NO and CO). I took the car to my mechanic who, without doing any diagnostic testing, looked at my results and declared I needed new cats. So, I spent $700 on new cats and went to get re-tested.
On the re-test, I passed the smog test, but just by the skin of my teeth. The HCs measured were exactly at the max. allowable--maximum 54 and 37, measured 54 and 37. One digit over and I would have failed.
This tells me that while the cats helped me pass, they were not the problem. They were a solution to a problem that exists somewhere upstream. Just as I barely passed, I could have just as easily failed. Some internet research tells me that high HCs indicate incomplete combustion.
I plan to address this issue with my mechanic, but I wanted to get a sense from the BF community if you see the same "problem" as I and how you might approach the situation?
BTW, the car tested had fresh oil, spark plugs, O2 sensors.
Thank you for your input.
A couple weeks ago I failed a smog check at both 15 mph and 25 mph due to high HC levels (passed on NO and CO). I took the car to my mechanic who, without doing any diagnostic testing, looked at my results and declared I needed new cats. So, I spent $700 on new cats and went to get re-tested.
On the re-test, I passed the smog test, but just by the skin of my teeth. The HCs measured were exactly at the max. allowable--maximum 54 and 37, measured 54 and 37. One digit over and I would have failed.
This tells me that while the cats helped me pass, they were not the problem. They were a solution to a problem that exists somewhere upstream. Just as I barely passed, I could have just as easily failed. Some internet research tells me that high HCs indicate incomplete combustion.
I plan to address this issue with my mechanic, but I wanted to get a sense from the BF community if you see the same "problem" as I and how you might approach the situation?
BTW, the car tested had fresh oil, spark plugs, O2 sensors.
Thank you for your input.
smog check and mechanic issue - what would be your approach?
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