Mike S

So, I went to get my biannual smog check and after 3 separate visits to 3 different shops, none of them would even perform the test. I just finished polshing my intake manifold and all 3 swore that it was an aftermarket piece. I really had to laugh. I explained as best I could, but there's no way to reason with a mechanic not familiar with our cars. Finally, i went to a place right next to work that didn't have a problem with it. The results are as follows.

CO% max allowable=1.00 mine=1.64
PPM max allowable=200 mine=269

I have new wires, cap, rotor, plugs, and ignition coil. At this point I'm thinking its the catalytic converter....would this make enough difference to correct the above results?

SoCal Driver

Just shows you that you don't have to have any brains to smog test cars in California! I take it this was the mandatory TEST CENTER ONLY check up.

I took the wife's 85 Toyota Corolla in for one of these and was rejected because the flex tube heat riser from the exhuast to the air cleaner was not the "correct" tubing! Couldn't get the fellow to explain to me what the correct tubing was other than this was black and not the aluminum silver he was used to seeing.

Mike S

Actually this was mandatory biannual test. It wasn't at a referee station though, these were just the "run of the mill" gas stations that do smog checks.

tt9714

I had emissions problems with my '86 951 Turbo upon bringing the car into the state (bought in Seattle, drove to LA). I don't have the info with me, but I believe the problems were CO and NOX.

I ended up buying a Porsche used catalytic converter from Parts Heaven (about $250) and had it installed by my local mechanic. When he took out the old one you could see fouling of the mesh/grid.

I took the car back with the new cat and it passed smog. The other key thing to check is the oxygen sensor. Has yours been replaced recently?

Deepice

How about O2 sensor?

P944forScott

Mike, where in Calif. are you? I know this is a longshot but I just had my car passed at a test only shop and the guy "had a car just like this, same color and everything".
My impression is that these cars run pretty clean so you may suspect the converter.

P944forScott

[quote]Originally posted by Mike S:
<strong> I just finished polshing my intake manifold and all 3 swore that it was an aftermarket piece. I really had to laugh. I explained as best I could, but there's no way to reason with a mechanic not familiar with our cars. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Well at least you didn't have to explain that is was not the exhaust manifold, YES I HAVE BEEN ASKED THAT QUESTION! Okay not by a mechanic but still rather funny.

<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

Mike S

Oh sorry forgot to add that. I replaced the oxygen sensor with the cheapy unit and soldered the wires using the original connector. This was done about 5,000 miles ago. I'm having a new cat put on as we speak. We'll see tomorrow if this makes a difference.

Tabor

I am currently in a similar saga. I suggest you check your fuel pressure. I beleive (don't quote me on this spec) that the pressure should be 29psi on a normal NA while running.

Mike S

Phew! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> I just got back from the smog station and I passed.....yipppeeeee <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

New catco catalytic converter. My emissions now are:

2500rpm
PPM=9
CO%=0.00

idle
PPM=15
CO%=0.06

The first results were for the 2500rpm test only, the tech stopped the test to avoid getting me a "gross polluter" status. As you can see now, its running super clean. I'm so glad this little saga is over. Hopefully I won't have any future problems.

tt9714

Mike S,
I'm glad to hear that everything worked out. I always wondered if the converter really "did" anything. As a chemical engineer I have some background in surface science/chemistry, but somehow I remained skeptical. You have the data to prove it. (single variable experiments are highly convincing)