Just smogged my "High Emitter Profile" 81 SC in SF, CA,Any insights from the results?

[UrQuattro]

Hey,
So, as the subject stated, I just had to smog my SC, and it passed, thank god. So, San Francisco being an enhanced smog area, I had to go to a smog only station.

The car seems to run really well almost all of the time. Every once in a while, if I've driven the car, leave it for maybe 30 minutes to an hour or so, when I start it up again, it idles really lumpy at about 400rpm, but won't pop or anything like that if I give it gas. But after I've used the car for a couple minutes, it goes back to idling normally (it has a brand new warm up regulator, and I just had it tuned up a little bit and checked out by a verified master CIS tech).
Edit: I forgot to include this little fact here: I checked the oil when I got home, and I needed to put some in, but that is beside the point, every time in the past, there has been a pretty major response to my pullin the cap for the oil off, but today, almost no change at all, and I double, triple checked it. Apparently I've developed a vacuum leak. I don't have any tools right now because everything is in storage (long story), and I'll be able to get them in the next few weeks, but right now, I have no way to work on the car. Even with tools, I am not familiar enough (I've forgotten so much after
what is essentially a decade of not working on cars, and now when I start back up, it is with an unfamiliar car, and that car is a freaking Porsche 911.) with 911s to know what to do or how to fix the problems correctly. Pisses me off. I hate feeling like I'm not able to fix the car when it is in need of service. Theres a good Porsche shop very close by my home that can take care of the car, but i don't know what I should expect to pay. But maybe this is why, even after getting it tuned just right, I'm only getting about 14mpg. Hmmm...

Anyway, the emission results for my 1981 SC are:

15mph 1546rpm %co2=15.3 %o2= .3
HC=46 with a max/avg= 141/45
CO=.27 w/ max/avg=.99/.16
NO=595 w/ max/avg=1148/434

Then we have the other one...

25mph @2361rpm %co2=15.3 %o2=.2
HC=26 w/ max/avg=113/33
CO=.34 w/ max/avg=.79/.14
NO=354 w/ max/avg=978/357

Sorry if I included too much information. But I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the health of my engine based on this.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Michael

[Peter Zimmermann]

If the car passes CA smog inspection, it can be considered healthy. That said, back when I still had my shop I improved the running characteristics of a substantial number of cars by doing...nothing. Nothing except recommending that the car owner switch to Chevron Premium. Amazing gasoline, surprising results.

[warner53]

I am in the North bay (Santa Rosa). 1986 Carrera

Not to hijack, but my car's mileage dropped from 25 to 21 mpg and would like input on what could be the causes for the decline and what I should expect.

Any help I can give let me know.

Warner

[db_cooper]

Originally Posted by warner53

I am in the North bay (Santa Rosa). 1986 Carrera

Not to hijack, but my car's mileage dropped from 25 to 21 mpg and would like input on what could be the causes for the decline and what I should expect.

Any help I can give let me know.

Warner

Winter gasoline, different formulation. And maybe a little more ethanol in the mix too.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by warner53

I am in the North bay (Santa Rosa). 1986 Carrera

Not to hijack, but my car's mileage dropped from 25 to 21 mpg and would like input on what could be the causes for the decline and what I should expect.

Any help I can give let me know.

Warner

It's entirely possible that your air flow meter (AFM) has suffered a common failure (rich running), and can no longer be adjusted. Before your next smog check is due, have your mechanic check your fuel mixture, you might be surprised to find that your car is running as high as 3.0% CO, rather than 0.6%.

[warner53]

Thanks for the replies,

She passed smog in March, has 29,000 on rebuild, no leaks, 1 qt. oil in 5000 miles.

I plan to spend some time with her and check dizzy cap, and plugs along with air filter replacement. Almost due for a valve adjust.

Could injectors cause mileage drop?

Warner

[UrQuattro]

Dude, now all of the responses for my question are for your car. Why did you say "not to hijack, but..."

Why didn't you just make your own thread with that very legitimate question? Not cool...

Michael

[UrQuattro]

Thanks for the replies,

In my thread...

She passed smog in March, has 29,000 on rebuild, no leaks, 1 qt. oil in 5000 miles.



I plan to spend some time with her and check dizzy cap, and plugs along with air filter replacement. Almost due for a valve adjust.



Could injectors cause mileage drop?



Warner

Again, this is my thread, it WAS about my concern for my car, and now it is about your concern for your car.

It took a while to type out all those numbers on my iPhone, and write the post because I have seen other threads where people have been able to get some good input from the numbers seen.

Plus, on top of that, I've got a vacuum leak, and hoped to get some advice on that, and how much a shop would usually charge to find and fix it.

But now you want to know about your injectors.... In my thread... Please stop... This is really impolite and frowned upon.

Plus...... you got an answer that makes 100% sense: ITS WINTER GAS!

Michael

[warner53]

My apologies.

Warner

[UrQuattro]

Thank you, I appreciate that...

Michael

[warner53]

I would suggest a leak down test and or compression test to check the health of your motor. Carb cleaner or WD 40 has been used to check vacuum leaks, just use with care.

Again my apologies, any help that I can giveis still offered.

Warner

[UrQuattro]

If the car passes CA smog inspection, it can be considered healthy. That said, back when I still had my shop I improved the running characteristics of a substantial number of cars by doing...nothing. Nothing except recommending that the car owner switch to Chevron Premium. Amazing gasoline, surprising results.

Amazingly enough, I had just filled a very empty tank with that exact fuel...

Thanks for the reassurance on the fact that my car is probably ok simply because of having passed a CA smog test.

Michael