th0ught

iTrader: (7)

Just got back from the Test Only station, and as I expected failed my CA smog test. Correct me if I'm wrong but typically NO failures are due to a bad cat, so I was surprised to pass those readings. However I failed the HC part of the 15MPH test and just barely passed the 25MPH test. Here were my results (I'll toss in the CO and NO results as well):
HC...... MAX....AVE....MEAS
15MPH 55......9.......76
25MPH 39......7.......38

CO...... MAX....AVE....MEAS
15MPH 0.50......0.02......0.09
25MPH 0.48......0.03......0.04

NO...... MAX....AVE....MEAS
15MPH 437......57......318
25MPH 724......50......137

Prior to the test I was hit the highway for 30 minutes (with a 5 minute break at In-N-Out's drive thru ) going 70-80 to warm up my hi-flow cat. The only code I've got is for the KS but I don't believe that influences smog tests. The few mods are WSP Y, WSP hiflow cat, and Budget B (so stock air box). Just dropped in a new air filter, all 3 O2 sensors were replaced within the past year and a half, and oil/oil filter were changed within the past 1,500 miles with synthetic.

High scores with HC mean the cars running rich, right? I'm about to clean out the TB/IVAC but what else should I clean/replace (clean fuel injectors, swap out plugs?) to help lower these scores? Any help, tips (other than leaving California ) would be appreciated, thanks.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Put your OEM cat back on.

Minor tune up.....spark plugs etc, and change your blinker fluid too while you're at it.

NO failures don't always point to the cat, there are a few other culprits as well.

Get a good working KS in there too. I'm surprised he didn't fail you on that alone (provided he saw the code once he plugged in the scanner..)

black_maxed95

iTrader: (41)

i would try to find a stock cat that you can use for testing.

vilmaxima

I passed with a failed KS but then again, im in Canada. Change your CAT back to OEM, u might have an e-bay high flow cat, which is really a resonator pipe(in most cases anyway)

mad

I have spent well over $1500 to get my daughter's 2001 Jetta to pass. I also failed the HC test by about 4 points. Maybe it is the CAT the guy put in?! It was after market. He told me that he was 99% sure that it would pass the smog. It was over $800 for the CAT & labor. It has been thru 2 smog tests and failed both. I changed the spark plugs, got the oil changed, it needed a new battery, H2O pump, timing belt. I was told that I should go take it to a diagnotic station next, before I take it for the smog again. Maybe I should, and if they tell me that it is a bad CAT, do I have recourse against the guy?

andrewmac

iTrader: (2)

If you changed the timing belt in your maxima then that's your problem right there. If you're still talking about your daughters jetta then I think you're on the wrong forum.

T_Behr904

If you want to pass put E-85 in your car...

Run your tank near empty, or as comfortable as you feel how low you can run it. Put a few gallons of E-85 gas in your car to get you up to or just a tad over 1/4 tank. Go test. The 85% ethanol burns much cleaner than gas so your emissions will be lower. After you're done testing, go fill your tank with conventional gasoline to dilute the E-85.

Back when we used to have emissions testing here in Florida, the trick was to go to a hardware store and buy denatured alcohol. This was before E-85 came along. I passed every time and that was with a punched out cat. A friend of mine told me that trick and sure enough it worked.

I am 99% sure that you will pass. If for some unfortunate reason you don't, i'd be very surprised.

T_Behr904

And I just realized that this is an old thread that got bumped...