Emissions failure

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

On 6:10:23 pm 04/13/06 Blake <blake.irvin@gmail.com> wrote:
> Update
>
> the test results say i was twice the legal amount of CO and more than
> twice the legal amount of HC
>
> everything else passed.  what should i start checking?  the guy at the
> shop suggested that something was off with one of the breather tubes
> on the big intake tube that goes from the airflow sensor assembly to
> the top of the engine.  he could be full of it, though.
>
> blake/
>
> 

So Blake, what's the engine, just for shits and giggles? 16V? I'd say that
indicates the car is running rich (regardless of engine), for whatever
reason. If it was a 16V/if it were mine? I'd be checking DPR current (who's
got the link on how to build that harness? It's handy to have around
anyway) and also O2 sensor output in volts. It's all in Timbo's tech
tips...Timbo? (some of the other engines are tested in a different manner,
BTW, not using DPR current)

High NOx is caused by extreme conditions, such as the hostile environment
created by a hot/lean condition. Sounds like you're not there. 

So was the guy at the shop suggesting a vaccuum leak maybe? That's always a
good thing to get fixed up too. Wiggling and jiggling hoses shouldn't make
it run differently, unless there's a leak, and often the smaller hoses get
pretty aged looking, a cheap upgrade is to get the hose from the dealer and
replace the lot. 

HCs can lurk in old oil too, you know how it smells gassy? And get your
engine hot for the test, the cat will be up to temp amnd more effective. A
new cat may kill off some of those HCs for you too, not what you want to
hear eh?
I feel for you, you need the car, and it's like voodoo trying to figure out
what the hell's wrong. It all just sucks. 

Cathy