Failed emissions test

[madvillain]

HC
15mph Max: 135 Meas: 196
25mph Max: 110 Meas: 193

CO (%)
15mph Max: 0.83 Meas: 3.90
25mph Max: 0.63 Meas: 3.51

Anyone know where I should start looking?

[hugh jass]

what car? have you done any maintenance on it? how old is the cat?

[madvillain]

86 325es, the only thing i have done was changed the oil and pour in a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. the cat is probably as old as the car.

[TexasTerp]

Spark Plugs, Air Filter, Fuel system cleaner, Oil Change,

Conditions of:
Exhaust system - any holes, severely rusted areas?
Catalytic Converter - how old, rust?
Pipe Gaskets - rusted out, new, old?
O2 Sensors - working properly?
Gas Cap - pass vacuum test?

EDIT: run a complete fuel system cleaner through a 1/2 to 3/4 tank, Flush your oil and refill completely, Get a new Air filter and check the intake system (boot, box and all) for holes, leaks etc, Get new Spark Plugs!

[iignite]

new o2s and methanol hydrate.. 8)

no, but you might need to check for fuel, since you're running leaner than usual, hence the higher HC

[E30_fiend]

high HC's usually point to a bad cat. it probably wouldnt hurt to get a new one. its done its job for 22 years lol

[mikekristine325ic]

Tune-up and a Cat and you should pass. Mine did the same in my M20b25 vert. I had the original cat on it with 300,000 miles on it. I changed it out to a Magnaflow Hi-Flow and passed smog with flying colors.

[E30SPDFRK]

new o2s and methanol hydrate.. 8)

no, but you might need to check for fuel, since you're running richer than usual, hence the higher HC

fix'd


My vote goes to cat as well, but a tune up wouldn't hurt.

[Knockenwelle]

Those numbers say RICH

[DatUtahGuy]

Just get the hookup and get it passed already

[BraveUlysses]

Did they give you any NOx readings?

[iignite]

oops, got confused with HC and NOx..my badd...

[madvillain]

Yeah I definitely will give it a tune up and a new cat. Although there is this strong smell that the car emits, just not sure where it's coming from. Almost like fuel that is unburnt. I have passed the NOx part of it.

[BraveUlysses]

If you passed on NOx you're probably running rich, so that does sound correct if you're smelling fuel.

[madvillain]

did a compression test and here's what it checked out. 3 cylinders are low

cylinder from front of the engine to back
1 155
2 130
3 110
4 150
5 155
6 125

just wondering why its dumping a ton of fuel, because when i pulled out the plugs i can smell fuel.. and they are new plugs too.