High hydrocarbon and co's

Tiny
SALLIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 284,000 MILES
I've replace all emission parts(o2sensor, all ignition, and valve cover gaskets) the shop originally told me I needed a new cat convert, so I applied for state help, now they tell me I need a new engine because it is internal although my car does not miss has ALOT of power I am just shocked by this diagnosis due to the car runs and sounds so good what could cause this? There is smoke when I first start cold in morning but within 5-10 minutes it dissappears, they only changed diagnosis after I walked in with state voucher as twice before they said it was the cat convertor (with last 2 months)could this be a blown gasket or something less expensive as they are wanting $2700 for a rebuilt engine
Friday, November 19th, 2010 AT 4:06 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
High hydrocarbon and co's

Could be the catalytic converter or the air injection system

Causes Of Converter Failures
Fouling, clogging, melt-down and breakage of the ceramic substrate inside a converter are common conditions that can cause problems. Plugging is usually the end result of a melt-down, which occurs because the converter gets too hot. This happens because the engine is dumping unburned fuel into the exhaust. The excess fuel lights off inside the converter and sends temperatures soaring. If it gets hot enough, the ceramic substrate that carries the catalyst melts.
The unburned fuel may be getting into the exhaust because of a bad spark plug or valve, but an overly rich air/fuel mixture is another possibility. In older carbureted engines, a heavy or misadjusted carburetor float may be the underlying cause. But on newer engines with "feedback" carburetion or electronic fuel injection, the engine may not be going into "closed loop" (the normal mode where the computer regulates the air/fuel mixture to minimize emissions).
A bad oxygen sensor or coolant sensor may be giving the computer bogus information. A sluggish or dead O2 sensor will make the computer think the exhaust is running lean, so the computer will try to compensate by making the fuel mixture rich. A coolant sensor that always indicates a cold engine will also keep the system in open loop, which means a steady diet of excess fuel. But it might not be the sensor’s fault. A thermostat that’s stuck open or is too cold for the application can prevent the engine from reaching its normal operating temperature. So if your converter has failed and needs to be replaced, the engine should be diagnosed for any underlying problems before the new converter is installed.
Another cause of converter clogging and contamination is excessive oil consumption. Worn valve guides or seals can allow oil to be sucked into the engine’s combustion chambers. The same goes for worn or damaged rings or cylinders. Oil can form a great deal of carbon, and metals present in the oil can contaminate the catalyst. A compression check or leak-down test will tell you if the rings are leaking, while a fluttering vacuum gauge needle will help you identify worn valve guides
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Friday, November 19th, 2010 AT 4:09 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,716 POSTS
First, don't let them replace the engine if it runs good. There is something other causing the CO to be high. I don't know what state you live in, but where I am, after a certain dollar amoung is put into repairs, the vehicle gets a waiver and passes regardless. Have they replaced the converter?
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Friday, November 19th, 2010 AT 4:11 AM
Tiny
SALLIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks so much, first let me say that I am a self-taught mechanic of sorts, that means I get my book research and do the job and have fixed all of my own cars for 30 years but this is the first fuel injection i've owned and since this past july I put on/in new 02sensor(wires had to be spliced)it was a universal that looked different from the original but I went through my book and bought all parts for emission thinking I would replace everything and it would pass I also replaced radiator due to hole in top and fan assembly, thermostat, now I notice that the temp gauge sometimes take longer to warm up and I have actually had it drop again after driving, I also replaced both hoses. The car does burn oil, I add a quart every few months and I think the pan gasket leaks but what you said about the air fuel mixture, after my last visit to the smog shop my idle drop I mean I had to press brake and gas to keep running at stop light so I adjusted the idle screw, to approx 800rpm
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Friday, November 19th, 2010 AT 4:52 AM

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