> Last Friday I took my trusty Corolla in for the annual smog check. It
> failed. Max allowable HC level was 220 ppm. Mine read 225...something
> like 2%% high. Frankly, I've not changed the plugs in the beast since
> sometime early in this century, some 50k miles ago. Did that
> immediately and noticed a slight, barely perceptible increase in
> performance. Also checked the air filter, which has probably not been
> changed since the 20th century; but is checked and cleaned occasionally.
> It looked fine, although I knocked some dust out of it.
>
> No problem, I think. It probably will pass, since it was such a small
> overage, and the plugs were really worn...EXCEPT; this one's so old that
> they have to check with a probe up the tailpipe (Ouch! Something about
> writing that made me feel distinctly uncomfortable)--no ECU terminal
> hookup. No other instrumentation is connected to the car. That's fine.
> They've been doing this every year for the the last 15 that I've owned
> this particular vehicle...EXCEPT; this time--before failing the
> car--they asked me to run the engine up to 2350 RPM and hold it.
> Okay...EXCEPT; there's no tachometer on the car! They'd always checked
> it at idle before. ...

> jakdedert wrote:

>> Last Friday I took my trusty Corolla in for the annual smog check. It
>> failed. Max allowable HC level was 220 ppm. Mine read 225...something
>> like 2%% high. Frankly, I've not changed the plugs in the beast since
>> sometime early in this century, some 50k miles ago. Did that immediately
>> and noticed a slight, barely perceptible increase in performance. Also
>> checked the air filter, which has probably not been changed since the
>> 20th century; but is checked and cleaned occasionally. It looked fine,
>> although I knocked some dust out of it.
>>
>> No problem, I think. It probably will pass, since it was such a small
>> overage, and the plugs were really worn...EXCEPT; this one's so old that
>> they have to check with a probe up the tailpipe (Ouch! Something about
>> writing that made me feel distinctly uncomfortable)--no ECU terminal
>> hookup. No other instrumentation is connected to the car. That's fine.
>> They've been doing this every year for the the last 15 that I've owned
>> this particular vehicle...EXCEPT; this time--before failing the car--they
>> asked me to run the engine up to 2350 RPM and hold it. Okay...EXCEPT; ...

> No problem, I think. It probably will pass, since it was such a small
> overage, and the plugs were really worn...EXCEPT; this one's so old that
> they have to check with a probe up the tailpipe (Ouch! Something about
> writing that made me feel distinctly uncomfortable)--no ECU terminal
> hookup. No other instrumentation is connected to the car. That's fine.

> "jakdedert" bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:gqKvk.21637$IB6.8828@bignews8.bellsouth.net...
>

>> No problem, I think. It probably will pass, since it was such a small
>> overage, and the plugs were really worn...EXCEPT; this one's so old that
>> they have to check with a probe up the tailpipe (Ouch! Something about
>> writing that made me feel distinctly uncomfortable)--no ECU terminal
>> hookup. No other instrumentation is connected to the car. That's fine.

>
> One of the things (maybe the only thing) that will cause a vehicle to fail
> the test (on a vehicle with the OBD II terminal hookup) is the vehicle's
> computer showing that it has had a 'code' (check engine light came on,
> since the last time the computer was cleared). A coworker had a problem
> with the check engine light coming on, but couldn't find the problem
> causing it. His tags were due for renewal, so he had to get it tested. He
> pulled over, a block or two from the testing station, hooked up his
> Snap-On OBD II diagnostic unit, cleared the 'codes', then put the unit
> away and got in line at the testing station. As he was leaving, a block or
> two from the testing station, his check engine light came on, but he had ...

> Paul Stevens wrote:

>> "jakdedert" bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>> news:gqKvk.21637$IB6.8828@bignews8.bellsouth.net...
>>

>>> No problem, I think. It probably will pass, since it was such a small
>>> overage, and the plugs were really worn...EXCEPT; this one's so old that
>>> they have to check with a probe up the tailpipe (Ouch! Something about
>>> writing that made me feel distinctly uncomfortable)--no ECU terminal
>>> hookup. No other instrumentation is connected to the car. That's fine.

>>
>> One of the things (maybe the only thing) that will cause a vehicle to
>> fail
>> the test (on a vehicle with the OBD II terminal hookup) is the vehicle's
>> computer showing that it has had a 'code' (check engine light came on,
>> since the last time the computer was cleared). A coworker had a problem
>> with the check engine light coming on, but couldn't find the problem
>> causing it. His tags were due for renewal, so he had to get it tested.
>> He ...