Car failed smog again...what are my options?

[OldUser1]

Well as some of you know I had my car smogged on 12/30/03, and it failed. On my first smog I passed the Comprehensive Visual Inspection, the Functional Check passed, but the Emissions Test failed. My car measured 130 HC (ppm) at 15MPH (124 max). And 863 NO (ppm) at 15MPH also (815 Max).
So after that I took it to a European Mechanic and he diagnosed my car. He told me that the O2 sensor was bad, and that my Cat wasn't flowing how it should. So he gave me an estimate of $250 to replace the O2 sensor. I talked it over with my dad, and told him I could do it myself for the price of the part ($120 from BavAuto). But he is so damn stubborn he didn't want me to damage the car.
So I took the car to the shop, he replaced it for about $270, $180 for the part, and $90 for labor. He told me that he had the equipment to test for high emissions, and that the numbers were significantly lower that what my previous Vehicle Inspection Report said.
So today I took my car by the smog station, and had it smogged. It failed.
The inspection report states that I ran higher emissions now, than before! I measured 216 ppm for HC (130 before), and 1339 ppm for NO when I measured 863 before! So now, after spending $270, I basically bought higher emissions.
The mechanic from the European place said that he wanted to replace the O2 sensor first, and if that’s not it, he would want to replace the Cat for about $800.
I made sure the car was quite warm when I took it to be smogged today, and I don't want to have to spend $800 if that’s not a guaranteed solution.
Is there anything else that could be causing me to fail smog? By the way, my car has 192,000 miles. But runs perfect, no problems whatsoever.
TIA.

[bimmerphile]

1. get an oil change
2. fill up with high octane fuel
3. blow the emissions tester


:)

I just went through this same problem. It's a bitch, indeed. I just took it into the shop and shelled out the greenbacks to get it fixed.

[OldUser1]

I'll change the oil this weekend. And I alwase fill up with the best gas, but the highest octane they have here is 91.

[808BMW]

I'll change the oil this weekend. And I alwase fill up with the best gas, but the highest octane they have here is 91.

You could just bend over for 1 tank and mix in some race gas at a tuner shop.

[grapedrink]

sounds like a shitty-ass shop. they can't even tell you what you need to fix your car and all they are willing to do is throw parts at it. :roll: if i were you take it somewhere else. shops can test to see how well your CAT flows. if your CAT was bad those numbers would be alot higher.

Change your oil, throw in some high grade fuel, put some techron in it, drive it for half a tank, run it on the highway and then drive it straight to the emissions station.

lucas

[OldUser1]

sounds like a shitty-ass shop. they can't even tell you what you need to fix your car and all they are willing to do is throw parts at it. :roll: if i were you take it somewhere else. shops can test to see how well your CAT flows. if your CAT was bad those numbers would be alot higher.

lucas

The guy at the shop seems to be a really decent guy. After I failed smog the first time, I took it to him to be diagnosed. He had it for nearly the whole day and didn't charge me for his time. Plus, my Cat has 193,000 miles on it. I know its not flowing nearly as well as it would 150,000 miles ago.

[golde30]

sounds like a shitty-ass shop. they can't even tell you what you need to fix your car and all they are willing to do is throw parts at it. :roll: if i were you take it somewhere else. shops can test to see how well your CAT flows. if your CAT was bad those numbers would be alot higher.

Change your oil, throw in some high grade fuel, put some techron in it, drive it for half a tank, run it on the highway and then drive it straight to the emissions station.

lucas

i agree, i was going to suggest change the oil and high octane gas...i just smogged my car and i thought it would fail for sure b/c i drive with the pedal to the floor like at all times, but it seems that i never let any carbon build up, and my car passed way under emmisions...also i changed the oil and pumped 91 octane, also ran on the freeway first staying in 4th to get the CAT nice and hot. good luck.
-cary

[BavarianBimmer]

maybe try also an sport air filter (more air flow ) and get some fuel system cleaner maybe your injectors are dirty and replace the spark plugs

[UNHCLL]

1. Change oil and filter
2. Clean/replace stock airfilter
3. full tank of gas
4. Make sure the car has been UP TO NORMAL OPERATING temp for 10-15 minutes
5. Let it idle while waiting in line for smog chk.
6. Go back and bring a printout of failed test to shop and demand a refund.

NEVER attempt smog on a cold engine.

[m42technic]

Italian tuneup. 8)

[OldUser1]

NEVER attempt smog on a cold engine.

Yes, I know this. I had the car running for a good half hour, it was in the normal operating temperature. I don't think the temperature was an issue, it must be something else.

[chesster6969]

DO I need to change my oil again if I just did it about 2000 miles ago using Mobil 1?
I was thinking just change the oil filter, new air filter, and new Bosch Supers.
Just got my DMV Smog Check paper today, and my plates expire in Feb.

[nando]

how exactly can you damage a car by installing an O2 sensor? also, $120 is waaaay too much. I got mine for $72 shipped on ebay, took me about 10 minutes to put it in (I even did it with a hot engine).

anyway, check your plugs to see if they are fouled. it could be that you're not getting a proper spark and fuel is not being burned properly. also, take the car out and drive the piss out of it. E30s, especially the M42, weren't meant to be driven like grandmas. It will blow out some of the carbon deposits and also give the ECU a chance to tune higher RPM with your new O2 sensor.

[MattM20]

one thing that really seems to help the engine is to stick it in 5th gear around 65 and go full throttle until it slowly reaches 100. that really helps clean out the injectors, and after i tried that, i got a nice induction sound for a couple weeks, plus better gas mileage.

however i wasnt able to do that before i had to have my car inspected, it was too close to christmas and all the roads were packed, and my car failed emissions, probably for a number of reasons. my mechanic just said "give me $120 and i'll pass it for ya." he's not a crooked guy, but he spent a good amount of time on it and it passed with unbelievably low numbers. he said he worked on cleaning the intake manifold and injectors, plus i had also installed my IE exhaust between visits.

[SickE30]

You California boys and your emissions issues. My advice, find someone who can be bought to pass you. If you cant do that, move. But seriously, everyone has a price.