Hi SoCal guys, I really need help on this issue. It is the second time that my 2004 RX-8 fail the smog test. I move recently to Simi Valley from Puerto Rico and after my first catastrophic fail I decided to take the car to the dealer for a full inspection. First try:
HC-> 15mph: max(55) - meas(154)
25mph: max(39) - meas(138)
NO-> 15mph: max(437) - meas(431)
25mph: max(724) - meas(547)

Results from the dealer, nothing bad with it. Recommendations; change spark-plugs and run it and before go to the smog test run it for 20 to 30 minutes. After that I notice that the car was running hotter than normal (raicingbeat gauges) so I decided to change the thermostat and at the same time the coolant tank to fix the coolant warning light. In the mean time I disassemble and clean the secondary air injection control valve that by the way was scary dirty with fumes and oil. Well, job done, now run the car... better temperature readings, fumes pump working ok, oh change the gas to Shell super premiun, better gas mileage.
Well, I follow all the instructions, second try...fail again , all the readings very good but the HC-> 69 out of 55 and 54 out of 39.
Need serious help, or a different smog test center, one that really help me to pass the test. Thanks.

 

How many miles? Your cat is probably done

 

Mine still passed the UK smog test with a smashed cat...really was fubar. The guys at the garage said if a car continually fails they run it to 1/8th of a tank,put a whole thing of cataclean in so its more concentrated. Thrash the hell out of it just before the test. May be worth a go for $20

 

Miles...100,123... Now if the cat is the problem then, did somebody have a cat available that I can use to pass the smog test? anyone....please, I will returned as soon finish. Thanks.

 

Bumping an old thread; just curious, did you eventually pass smog or you sold the car?