96 c4s

[rhart]

I passed on a '96 C4S bec it had a ck eng lite on. (I had to make a spot decision at an auction) Was I dumb (it went for $29K) or is it really expensive 90% of the time when those lights are on?

Thanks

[Flieger]

Probably the SAI (Secondary Air Injection) ports got clogged with carbon and threw the light. They inject air into the exhaust to clean up the emissions. It is not that bad to clean them to pass emissions but they may get dirty quickly afterwards.

SAI CEL FAQ

[rhart]

I was told that something else clogs up with carbon that makes it necessary to take eng. apart. Any truth to that?

[Flieger]

Well, in the thread it mentions that the "definitive fix" is a top-end rebuild. The motor may run fine so most would clean the ports for emissions testing, clear the CEL, pass the test, and then drive it.