Hello all, and thank you beforehand for your help.
My 'Sol failed smog, and when I took it to a shop to have it diagnosed, the mechanic informed me that it needs a new catalytic converter, since the one currently on the car "is not lighting up." He mentioned that it is the same temperature at the front and at the back (I don't know how to interpret that). So, I just want to get the opinion of a few experienced members on these boards before I shell out the big bucks (broke college student). The car is completely stock with about 170K miles, so the diagnosis sounds about right. Anyways, the results of the emissions test are as follows:

744 RPM's (Low Speed):
HC: 237 (limit 180), CO: 0.51 (limit 1.20), CO2: 13.4 (No Limit Specified), O2: 0.00 (NLS)

2421 RPM's (High Speed):
HC: 105 (limit 180), CO: 0.92 (limit 1.20), CO2: 13.6 (NLS), O2: 8.61 (NLS)

As you can see, the problem is the Hydrocarbons at idle. The car was tuned up about 6 months ago (new cap, rotor, air filter, plugs). Oil changed about a month ago. The plug wires and fuel filter are a bit older (~18 months). Any advice?

 

i have no idea. in my state they can care less, this emissions test looks like jibberish...

 

Lucky for you. The rest of us have to deal with all these headaches.

 

if the front and rear of the cat temperatures match then the cat is bad. Illinois doesn't care bout 95 and older emmisions anymore badass!

 

So I guess I'd better get to ordering that new cat?!
Thx.