Hello all:

Well, it had to happen eventually-- one of my cars failed an emissions test.

Curb idle:

HC (ppm) limit 200 result 77 Pass
CO (%) limit 1.0 result 0.29 Pass
NO (ppm) n/a
RPM 785
Dilution 15.1

So the curb idle is OK, but read on:

40 km/h test (ASM2525)
HC (ppm) limit 66 result 112 FAIL
CO (%) limit 0.37 result 0.53 FAIL
NO (ppm) limit 505 result 2167 FAIL
RPM 1647
Dilution 15.1

Relevant recent history: O2 sensor replaced with Bosch universal in late winter.

My naive interpretation is that I need a cat, but I'd rather fix it right than do the "clean for a day" thing just to get it through emissions.

I'd certainly appreciate any opinions that are more educated than my own on this...

Thanks!

Well, the cat's certainly not working; it can't, though, unless the FI system is keeping the fuel/air ratio in a very narrow range.
Does the oxygen sensor voltage swing between ~.1 and ~.8 volts?
If it does, the cat's dead, if not, you've got other problems.

Hello Jim:

The O2 sensor was replaced with a Bosch universal this winter-- I checked at the time with a multimeter and saw fluctuations in voltage that were appropriate. I will double check that it is working before replacing the cat.

At the time I had running problems and I also swapped out the FPR and AMM. Last time I checked it had no codes set in the OBD.

I appreciate the response!
--
Herb Goltz, Aurora, Ontario, Canada '92 245 140K mi, '92 945t 210K mi

Just to pile on, I think it's time to replace the cat. My '87 245 passed the two speed idle test, when that was the standard for Houston, with what turned out to be a gutted cat. When Houston went to the ASM test, it would not pass. New cat was the way to go.

DArmstrong was selling a parts car http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=1182533

The cat may be new. You may also be able to replace that steering joint that I think you mentioned needed replacement some time ago.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.

Pulled a cat off a high-mileage (for Volvo) and had a quick look before it went away. The inlet end looked a little odd. Poked in there with a long rod - it met no opposition on coming out the other end! Nothing in there at all.

Get the cat you need, drop-in is more $$$ but far less hassle.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Herb, my condolences. When all 3 measures fail, it's a sign your cat has died.
--
Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for. -- Will Rogers

Hello Smitty:

I do get the impression the cat is toast, but I'm wondering why. The car has about 140K mi on it and the cat does look original. I'm wondering if the cat died a timely death, or if I have something that has hastened it's exit...

I do note the high HC and CO content too. I put an oxygen sensor in this winter and swapped out the ECU for a -951 as part of diagnosing a problem with bad bogging down that was due to an over-voltage on the signal line of the O2 sensor (1.4V). I swapped in another -016 AMM at the time too.

I'd like to sort it out so I don't have a "clean for a day" smog and then start the problem over again.

Thanks!
--
Herb Goltz, Aurora, Ontario, Canada '92 245 140K mi, '92 945t 210K mi

There are a few gross conditions than can kill a cat - head gasket failure with coolant "steam" contamination; prolonged rich running causing crbon deposits which become local hot spots; and also contamination from certain never-seize compounds. But structural failure can be a problem, as well - the cat on my '88 had that problem at maybe 160K miles.
--
Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for. -- Will Rogers

Herb:

I'm not an emissions expert, but I suspect your cat is running on life 9.5. Others will hopefully confirm.

jorrell
--
92 245 245K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently close to running again!