Hi,
Just bought a car, an 86 Montero, manual, 2,6 engine. (2 door if that helps :p )
The previous owner had done a smog-check in september, and passed it after: cleaning EGA ports (might say ECQ), dino test, R+R exhaust manifold. When smogging my car today, it failed with huge margains. I will post my previous owners results, as well as mine today.

Previous owner:
Ignition timing: 8 BTDC

at 15 mph
-----------
rpm - 1834
CO2 % meas - 14,90
O2 % meas - 0,16
HC (PPM)
max - 133
ave - 43
meas - 71
CO%
max - 0,89
ave - 0,16
meas - 0,05
NO (PPM)
max 1090
ave 406
meas 624
result - PASS

at 25 mph
-----------
rpm - 1881
CO2 % meas - 14,90
O2 % meas - 0,14
HC (PPM)
max - 104
ave - 32
meas - 58
CO%
max - 1,12
ave - 0,15
meas - 0,03
NO (PPM)
max - 1130
ave - 349
meas - 761
result - PASS

so this was the previous owners results, and made my smog-man believe they manupulated his test, based on my results now 3 months later.

Todays result:
ignition timing: 3 BTDC

at 15 mph
-----------
rpm - 1797
CO2 % meas - 14,5
O2 % meas - 0,6
HC (PPM)
max - 133
gp - 321
meas - 24
CO%
max - 0,89
gp - 2,19
meas - 0,02
NO (PPM)
max - 1090
gp - 2057
meas - 2332
result - GROSS POLLUTER

at 25 mph
-----------
rpm - 1848
CO2 % meas - 14,5
O2 % meas - 0,5
HC (PPM)
max - 104
gp - 271
meas - 21
CO%
max - 1,12
gp - 2,42
meas - 0,01
NO (PPM)
max - 1130
gp - 2114
meas - 2221
result - GROSS POLLUTER

These numbers don't say much to me, except that I failed. NO (PPM) has been highlighted with a yellow marker, probably indicating something. Does anyone here work with smogging, and could possibly have a look at these numbers? I would be very greatful, as I can't pay big $$$ right now for a shop to find and fix the problem..
Thanks,
Karl

for one you timing is off.it is suposed to be 7 btdc give or take 2.so your timeing is way off.

What could cause it to be that way off?
Would fixing it improve my results? My mechanic told me it will make them even worse.. About the timing, could that be the reason for why my car feels weak?

Looks like an exhaust leak somewhere, or something like that. I don't much like the fact that there is still oxygen left over in the exhaust with CO or HC left as well, but that's secondary at this point.

You have air getting in somewhere and that's preventing the catalyst from reducing NOx.

I losing faith in your mech real fast. Waiting for 52degrees to chim in <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Actually, the guy I bought the car from pointed out a place at the exhaust manifold. Where the exhaust system meets the manifold, it looks like a screw is loose, a screw that the previous owner tightened. Is it normal to have a "farting" sound when driving, because to me it sounds like a leaking exhaust. I have a feeling that the sound comes from that place, because it seems to be coming from the engine bay.
About my mech, his workshop consists mostly of turbo charged 92 civics, but the pros are that you can get away with a 4 hour job for $150 bucks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Three bolts that hold the downpipe to the manifold, sounds like simple exhaust leak. The gasket is few dollars but lots of time to get at it.

How are you at turning metric wrenches?

I would say fair.
I have worked on an exhaust before, or I replaced a muffler.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> Does Autozone have the gasket? Guess I need a new screw as well. Is it hard to replace? Do you have to bring down the system to fit the new gasket?

Any mitsubishi dealers around? In my opinion you pay the same price for stuff like that at a parts store, and still run the risk of stuff not fitting. Save yourself the headache and see what's around. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I would seriously make friends with a real parts store, not a warehouse chain. Some (not all) of the workers were french fry specialists last week... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

In order to replace the gasket, you'll need to remove the retaining bolts at the flange from the manifold to pipe, and if still equipped, there may be a mount to remove holding the pipe to the bellhousing. Not too difficult a project.