So I went to get my car smogged today and the car failed. I passed my previous smog back in Sept of 09 but didn't pass todays smog. I included both pictures to see if that can help any smog experts. I just recently changed my plugs with some NGK platinums (so that shouldnt be a problem).

Here is my previous one in Sept of 09:


Here is todays FAILED smog: (The 15mph test was the problem one)

 

dont they usually give you some insight as to what causes this? i would check your CELs even if the light isnt on other then that i guess you can always google "what causes high hydro carbons"

im not too familiar with what i see in the pictures cuz i neevr have to take a smog test

 

You would think, but the tech just recommended to bring it to a smog/repair shop. Then took my $50. Waste of money!

 

High hydrocarbons is usually unburnt fuel. Make sure your plugs are gapped correctly and go with a fresh oil change. Dirty oil can effect your readings. If it still fails, just google "failed emissions high hydrocarbon or hhc" on google and you will find all kinds of suggestions. It is usually a simple fix.

 

Im about a 1000 miles away from a oil change, but have no problem doing one. My plugs were recently done by a mechanic place that I go to, so I don't think that's the problem. Im thinking its either the rear 02 sensors or a catalytic coverter problem. From reading some of the google finds. I remember a few months back that I would smell some gas in the morning and sometimes smoke would come out of the exhaust pipes in the afternoon, after starting my car after a workshift. Does that seem possible?

 

Is there anyway you could post a pic of the final printout including the readings on the left just like the first pic? I wanna see what your o2 looks like, should be kinda high.

The problem i see is you have high hydrocarbons meaning you have alot of raw unburnt gas going through your engine at 15mph. That would explain the black smoke you see and smell. Question is why? A leaking injector maybe? No, that would cause COs to be higher and NOx to be lower as the fuel will cool off the gasses thus reducing NOx.

Also, your NOx are really high meaning your combustion gasses are really hot, most likely due to the lean misfire your experiencing. Another thing that can cause high NOx is a plugged up EGR as the inhert gasses from the exhaust aren't being introduced into the intake and not cooling down the combustion.

In plain english, i think you may have one or multiple issues. But right away im betting you might have a lazy Mass Airflow Sensor, possible plugged EGR pipe and probably a damaged catalytic converter due to the misfires. Don't worry about the cat too much, mines toast too but i still manage to pass ok on my 96.

I would connect the scan tool and watch your fuel trims at idle. Im willing to bet they're gonna be high, like over 115% on both banks indicating a faulty MAF sensor. Another thing to check is the EGR temp sensor voltage as you drive the car and make sure it changes indicating egr flow is present.

If you wanna bring it to my shop in Berkeley, we can write it up for failed smog and we can look at it for you and tell you what it needs. We'd have to do a preliminary smog check first though, then diagnostic. PRob be about $200 to start, then additional for whatever we find.