Just got back from a free community "smog check". According to the smog machine - my HCs were at 168.


It is an '02 R50. I have no idea what the reading should be here in California, therefore I have no idea what the level ought to be.


Ideas as to what would cause this? What might the fix be?

 

that is probably 168 parts per million. I think if it was out of limit they might have said something. Do a google search on California Smog specs/limits are and you might be able to find out.

Tom

 

According to the CA smog test done on my 2002 MCS in June 2014, MAX allowable HC (PPM) was 54 at 15 mph and 37 at 25 mph. For each category, average emissions for passing vehicles was 4 and mine measured 1.

 

Any o2 codes? Any exaust mods? Header or anything not stock in front of the cat? Running a tune? Or bigger injectors untuned?
A failing or contaminated cat will do it....
Was the car warm when the test was done? The cat can take a few miles to "light off", aka achieve operating temp....the precat on the header starts and does some of the initial work, and help to protect the 2nd cat...but many folks delete it...

 

Very warm engine. Stock from radiator to tailpipe under the hood. And yes, they did say I was high. They had me run @ 2500RPM and then foot off the gas too. No engine lights or codes.