Failed smog. Need mechanic

[55rag]

Hello,
I just took my 85 to get smogged and failed. Very weird since last time it passed with no problem. I need to take it to a mechanic but don't know of any local to me. I'm trying to find someone as close to Fountain Valley/Huntington Beach as possible because I don't have much spare time to take it in.

Can anyone suggest a good mechanic in the area or even Lake Forest since I work out there.

Thank you,
Jason

[Peter Zimmermann]

If Long Beach works, call Marc at Red Line...562-901-2900.

[86 911 Targa]

Scan/post your report.

Let's have a look.

[55rag]

Thanks Peter but I'm looking for someone a lot closer if possible.

I failed on the PPM with 156 out of 97 at 15 mph and 98 out of 79 at 25 mph. I'll have to look up what it did the last time but it passed easily.

[55rag]

Thank was HC PPM

[timmy2]

Too rich.

[55rag]

Is that it do you think? It doesn't smell at the exhaust and no smoke either. I would be so happy if that's all it was though.

[timmy2]

Too many ppm of hydrocarbon tells me too rich as it is seeing unburnt fuel in the exhaust gasses. O2 sensor good? Cat working well? I'd know how to adjust my '78, more emission controls on your '85.

[55rag]

I'll have to take it to a mechanic to check O2 and cat. I have no idea. Hopefully it's not too painful.

[McLovin]

How many miles on the car?

[55rag]

Only about 230k. She runs like a champ too. Original untouched engine

[Brando]

Check your Catalytic converter. If needed - Mesa Muffler on Harbor Blvd can install a CARB-approved, CA-legal Catalytic Converter for less than $200. If the O2 sensor - pretty easy fix. If you need assistance I can offer a hand. A mechanic is going to follow those same steps first.

With good/working parts these cars run very clean and typically pass with flying colors. I've been down the smog route many, many times.

Also, scan your test results and post them here. That can be a good indicator of what exactly is going on.

[Nostril Cheese]

O2 sensor, more than likely. Easy fix on a Carrera too.

[scottb]

If you're not going to do it yourself, Hergesheimer MotorSports is in Lake Forest.

[intheshop]

Call Chris at Newport Motorsports
2991 Grace Lane Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-3910

He is in Costa Mesa. Great guy, knows Porsches extremely well... his daily driver is a 1985 911... I go to him for my 1971, and Chris knows longhoods well as he owns a 1972 S in great shape. He handles getting cars smogged all the time.

[Telerding]

There is a place in irvine/Costa Mesa I am impressed with, called Truspeed motors who seem to know what they are doing. Talked to them about a PPI and about tuning for smog test passage.

In the end, I did not buy the car I was looking at, so had no need at the time for their services. If they were local to me I would not hesitate to take my car to them.

[55rag]

Thanks for the offer to help Brando. I really do appreciate it. I normally would have no problem troubleshooting this myself but I'm a bit short on time lately and my smog is due in two weeks so I may just take it to one of the suggested shops. The car does sit for long periods and if I don't drive it for awhile it blows a plume of white smoke on startup so maybe the O2 sensor got covered from that or the cat is clogged.

I'll probably take it in next week and post the results here.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[Brando]

Jason -> Pick up a Bosch O2 sensor and shoot me your address. We'll get it swapped out in 10 minutes flat (with time to open a beer). Believe me, you can either throw a lot of money at it and have one of the recommended shops fix it, or you can save cash and go re-test before the weekend is over.

[timmy2]

Sounds like an "Italian Tuneup" might help. I've read where others have done this and taken their cars in while really well warmed up and passed the tests.

[55rag]

Alright Brando,
You convinced me. I'll order a sensor tonight and replace it. I'll probably be able to get to it next weekend. The only thing I worry about is if the sensor doesn't solve the issue then I've wasted more time and money and have to go back and pay for more parts that may not solve the issue. Is there any test I could do on the sensor first?

Also, I normally do take the car on a freeway run before getting smog but this time I didn't. I don't know if it would make that much difference though.

Thank you,
Jason