I seem to recall some discussion awhile back about the idea of passing a
smog test by "adjusting" the fuel mixture through the addition of alcohol
to the gas tank. Naturally I didn't save that thread, and now I need to
pass smog (with the Rabbit, so no LBC content).
Was there any consensus on what effect the alcohol had? I failed the
test this morning with "excessive hydrocarbons" (2000 ppm at idle is what the
examiner recorded, although I'm not sure I believe it). The only other
notation on the test report is 01% CO at idle -- it's not marked as a
failure, but I have no idea what the range of CO content should be (I
don't even know whether the guy meant 1% or .01%).
I'll look at the timing and check for intake and exhaust leaks, but I
don't think anything in that realm is too far out of whack. Fixing the cat
and O2 sensor and replacing the carburetor (things I *know* are wrong) would
cost more than the car is worth, so I'm searching for alternatives to that
approach. I guess the only bright spot is that the smog certification only
costs $10 in the PDX metro area, and you don't pay unless you pass.
Any pearls of SOL wisdom will be welcomed!
-coryc
PS: I promise a status report on the Europa in the near future.
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