I don't know about you guys, but I dread smog checks like nothing else. This year the car failed smog due to HC numbers that were about 3x too high. The car is a '95 with 107k on the clock, pretty much stock except for the suspension. I always get the car good and hot before the smog check.

The first attempt at solving this was an Italian tune up with techron for two tanks. I also cleaned the MAF. The O2 sensor only has around 20k miles on it so I didn't think it needed to be changed. The result- no change. At. All.

The second attempt was to change the plugs and wires. The wires were original and the plugs had around 20k on them. The result....wait for it.... This worked! No problem hitting the HC spec....the wires were in pretty bad shape so I suspect this was the cause.

BTW- the plugs/wires replacement was a DIY huge job. I'm glad it's not going to come up again for a while....................

 

Congrats on your persistence and your passing grade. Rufus (132,000+ miles) always passes smog with ease, but AWD cars can't be put on the rollers, so maybe that's a break for me.

 

My *** puckers every time I have to take the car to get a smog check.

 

LOL. Me too.

 

Mine has had no issues, but got new wires at 45k.

 

Changing an o2 sensor helps as well. Congrats! It is good to know the car runs well

 

It's definitely easier to get an AWD car to pass since there is no dyno test. It's a good reason to go with AWD in CA.

 

Get the car nice and hot, I run around in 2nd gear before I take mine in. Also put a little extra air in the tires, although last time I didn't have to get on the Dyno.

 

If you think the Porsche is hard.... It's next to impossible to smog a Ferrari in the "Communist Republic of Ca"