Car wont pass hc(ppm) portion of state insp.

BIGDADDYMACIK73

MEMBER
1995 SATURN SC1
81,000 MILES

Took car for inspection it passed all test at high speed. At low speed it failed hc(ppm) with a 245. Standard is 220. Changed spark plugs, pcv valve, air filter, oil and oil filter. Added guarnted to pass fuel treatment by crc to fuel tank. Ran it for a complete tank of gas refilled, drove it at high speed on interstate for 20 minutes. Went to inspection station, was taken into inspection in about 10 minutes. Everything improved except for the hc(ppm) it got worse actually was a 289 this time. So what can I do to fix this. I need this car for work and cant afford to spend much money so need the right answer first time and not mess around with suggestions from friends.

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

There is no magic answer when it comes to passing smog not every car has the same problem why it fails smog. You said you changed the spark plugs what kind did you put in?You also should have replaced the wires too. Also does your car burn much oil?If so how much in a 3,000 mile period?Another thing we should look at is how much compression your engine has I have seen them build up excesive compression from burning oil and just carbon build up on top of the pistons. Causing the car to fail smog.

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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 5:52 PM

BIGDADDYMACIK73

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It goes through about 1 to 2 quarts in a average 3000 mile. But I dont see any smoke or oil coming out tail pipe. I put average plugs in. I will change wires also. Do you think it could be the catalytic converter. It is the original from factory. I have no idea about the compression ratio but the car runs with no problems or lights on.

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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 6:56 PM

BIGDADDYMACIK73

MEMBER
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It goes through about 1 to 2 quarts in a average 3000 mile. But I dont see any smoke or oil coming out tail pipe. I put average plugs in. I will change wires also. Do you think it could be the catalytic converter. It is the original from factory. I have no idea about the compression ratio but the car runs with no problems or lights on. Someone also recommended to replace the purge solenoid. Do you think either one of these would do it. Or where is the charcoal canister at cause they also said to clean it. But I have no idea how to do that.

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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 7:03 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

I would also look at the o2 sensor. If it is lazy or old, it will cause high HC.

Roy

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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 9:40 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Purge solenoid isnt going to effect the hcs out the tail pipe neither is the charcoal canister you cant clean that. If the evap canister purge was bad it would set a code. If your burning oil the cat could be bad as well as the O2 sensor if you get a O2 sensor online there cheap for that car if you get a universal that you splice in at www. Rockauto. Com. As far as excessive compression you wouldnt really notice a performance issue. You would do a compression test to check for that.