[V8] Smog Check Blues

[Buchholz, Steven]

I thought I had everything all tweaked on #344 so I took it in for a smog
check last Saturday ... I'll try not to get started on that whole topic ...
but as you can tell from the subject of this message, the car did not pass.
Strangely enough, it does pass with a small amount of margin at the idle
test (which is why I thought I was good to go) ... but it failed at the
2500RPM test with excessive HC ... I think the number was 160PPM measured
with a 140PPM max.  The test tech surmised it might be something like spark
plug wires, but was not likely to be a compression issue.  I may go ahead
and check compression anyway, but I was thinking about throwing on a new
FPR, dizzy caps and rotors as well as the plug wires.  I might just check
the thermostat (I think it may be sticking open a bit) ... and I should make
sure the coolant temp sensor is OK.  I guess if that doesn't do the job I
might need to look at the cats.

I thought I would post to see if anyone here had any words of wisdom ...
Other than the spark plug wires, none of the other parts are really that old
(engine oil & spark plugs are brand new, and FPR, Dizzy caps, rotors and OXS
were replaced a few months back).  It has been quite disappointing because
this is the same car that prompted the comment from the smog tech that it
was one of the cleanest cars he had ever tested when I first brought it into
the state ... the car is stock and does seem to be running well ... no codes
from the ECU whatsoever ...

Steve B
San Jose, Kaleefohnia (USA)