Spider won't pass smog. (Fwd)

["charles.slayman" <Charles.Slayman@domain.elided>]

James,
	I doubt O2 sensor or catalytic converter malfunction would cause readings
that severe.  I had the same problem twice with my '89 Spider.  Both times
turned out to be a burned exhaust valve.  With a burned valve, you get some of
the unburned mixture pumped into the exhaust during the compression cycle. 
This will send the HC and CO off the chart.  So check compression first.  It's
cheaper than replacing the O2 sensor or catalytic converter unnecessarily.

Cheers,
Charlie S
'89 Spider

>----------------Begin Forwarded Message----------------<

Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 19:59:59 -0700
From: "James K. Lee" <alpha@domain.elided>
Subject: Spider won't pass smog.
To: alfa@domain.elided

My 90 spider failed it's smog test today.  The HC and CO measurements were
pretty much off the charts.
I get trouble codes 1223 and 1224, which both point to the O2 sensor.
I replaced the 3-wire sensor with a 1-wire one today and will re-test
tomorrow.  My mechanic (30 yrs experience) suggested going this route since
the 1 wire is over $100 cheaper.  Said to just make sure to let the car warm
up.  Sounds reasonable to me.

If this doesn't cure the problem, what else should I be looking at?  The
catalytic?  Spendy fix, so if there are other things to check first, I'd
like to do that.

How do you check a catalytic converter anyone?

Thanks in advance

James

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