Hi Folks,

My 88' Volvo 240 failed smog in San Francisco county, CA.

Failed HC- measured 93 at 15mph, max is 81.

Failed NO- measured 1267 at 15mph, max is 689
Failed NO- measured 715 at 25mph, max is 511

Last time I smogged two years ago NO failed. I had a cracked header pipe and replaced it. That solved the problem. Dunno what the problem is now. I haven't inspected my second-hand header to see if it is still good. Will do so today.

I realize smog is a total racket for shops. They'll charge you for everything it COULD be, and surely it's one of those things but you paid for em' all. Also shop time is VERY expensive here. Can someone please school me on the actual steps to take and what I can do myself? I've already wasted $80 on the stupid test, now I'm stuck bringing it back to the same folks to get a re-test at half price so another shop is out of the question.

I hate this stuff because the equip to measure is expensive and owned by shops so you never know what's real, only what they tell you and you can't fix a thing, and re-test to see if it was that without paying even more.

I ordered new plugs, dist cap and dist rotor, haven't arrived yet though. I know that's important. I have a strobe light, but it's hard to check the timing on the car, it seems like it's okay ?

Thank you.