1984 Carrera Failed Ca Smog

[Tobra]

Don't have the printout, but it was suggested that the cat probably needed to be replaced. The car has about 300,000 miles on it, original cat. Found Magnaflow replacement, PN 332005 for under $200. Are there any other things that should be replaced at the same time?

[Brando]

O2 sensor.

I also have a good used CAT sitting in the back-seat of my SC. You're welcome to borrow.

[patz]

Replace then have it tested w/o hook up to the State. You don't want to be labeled as a gross polluter. Also when you DO hook it up for the official test, consider a shop that isn't a Porsche specialist.

If you buy an aftermarket cat, they need to be CARB approved. Paint with high temp and do the muff and HEs. You don't want any thing to stand out.

As above it could be a combination of the cat AND O2 sensor. They are both wear items.

[cabmandone]

I just removed a known good 02 sensor (2 yrs old) to install a wideband on my car. You're welcome to it if you want it.

[Quicksilver]

The exact numbers on the test will tell the whole story lot. You need to find the sheet and post them.
If the O2 sensor has never been replaced it would be a miracle that it made it this long. 300K miles on a single CAT would be pretty exceptional too.

How does the car run? Is it smooth across the board? Any glitches? Also has the top end ever been done?

I am a big proponent of "Stop replacing parts. Test, test, test." but if the O2 hasn't been changed for 200K miles I would do it as a matter of course.

[Koizumi]

Don't forget to plug the brown wire back into the DME under the seat in case yours isn't plugged in. I forgot to do this and failed smog. Plugged it back in then the car passed with flying colors.

[Tobra]

Car runs good, pulls hard through the rev band, don't have a scanner handy, but will post the numbers later today.

[Joe Bob]

You don't have the print out....but you failed......OK. Say that three times.......click yer heels.

[Rich Gas]

Just to be fair to 84 Carreras, mine passes every time with flying colors. I have a FabSpeed sport cat and tune my mixture myself.... Lean the thing out a bit at idle before you go in...also, warm the car up to operating temp before heading down there.

[rfloz]

Originally Posted by Rich Gas

Just to be fair to 84 Carreras, mine passes every time with flying colors.

My '84 has passed every time since I bought it in 2007, except once due to a bad O2 sensor. I always bring it to the test station at operating temp and after the proverbial "Italian tune up."

I've even had a couple of smog techs mention it was really clean for a 30+ year old car.

[gshiwota]

Make sure that Magnaflow Cat has the right CA BAR ID. My car recenlty passed the emission test but failed the visual test because of the lack of BAR ID number. The CA smog guys are real PITAs these days and I now own an extra cat thanks to the smog laws.

[Koizumi]

The new school Cali smog techs need to take a long walk on a short pier. Perhaps the constituents in Cali that got duped into voting for all of this need to go for a plank walk as well.

I have to smog every year. And for the record, my '84 has lower emissions than many new cars. That's nuts. Of course, that's with the DME brown retard the timing wire plugged and my Carb certified cat (with visible serial numbers that the smog dudes check in what looks like a massive circa 1981 Yellow Pages book) installed. Guess what, my car passes Cali smog without the damn Cat, too. It just doesn't pass the visual inspection. Crazy.