Failed smog

What would cause me to only fail at idle HC? Everything else was clean as a whistle??? Measured was 309 max was 120. Any help? Thanks

Check, fuel pressure may be high. Clean oil helps.

1. Did you change the oil & filter immediately before the test? It helps.

2. Running regular gas (not premium) with the switch in "regular" position reportedly helps.

3. Was it good and warmed up? My guy has me idle for a good 30 minutes before the test to make sure everything is good and warm.

HTH.

EDIT: Damn, Pete, you're fast!
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Be Cool,

Joe

JR's Place - My 87 TC

[This message has been edited by JoeCool (edited 08-27-2004).]

The Cougar failed a bunch of times consecutively (for HC) because the techs would leave it sitting at idle for a bunch of minutes before the test. (The underhood sticker on my 86 says to run it at 2000 rpm for 30 seconds, then shut it off, and restart and do the idle portion of the smog test.) When I took it to a different shop that got it right in, it passed.

I also had problems when the PCV valve was bad, but I forget if that was HC or not.

Hope this helps

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Mike Walsted - NATO member
1986 5-speed TurboCoupe and 1985 5-speed XR7

Thanks guys, what should my fuel preassure be at idle and is there any way to adjust the stock FPR?

See the article Fuel System Diagnostics in the Technical Articles for testing procedures and applicable pressures. No, the stock FPR is not adjustable