Thanks to all who have replied so far to my request for help about my
daughter's Cabriolet.

Sorry I didn't clarify the engine size in my original post; it's 1.8 litre
and it's a 1988 as referenced in the subject line.

The verdict seems to be leaning towards a catalytic converter replacement.

Thanks again all.
Karen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 10:15 PM
Subject: Re: Help needed for 88 Cabriolet emissions failure

> It would be helpful to know the year/engine in the Cabriolet but the
> readings indicate the following:
> Over-advanced ignition timing raising peak flame temperature,
> Increased compression due to excessive carbon deposits or machined
> cylinder head,
> Defective 3 way catalytic converter.
>
> Check the timing, then replace the catalyst.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> Of Karen Gritis
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 7:24 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Help needed for 88 Cabriolet emissions failure
>
> Please take a minute to help us out, even though this problem isn't
> Vanagon related.  (If it helps, I have a Vanagon.)  My daughter and I
> went to get her Cabriolet emissions tested today.  We were shocked that
> it failed.
>
> The numbers were as follows:
> HC ppm - 15 mph - (limit 152) - actual 56
> CO% - 15 mph - (limit .86) - actual .64
> NO ppm - 15 mph - (limit 1203) - actual 1614
>
> So everything except NO was within acceptable limits, although the
> inspector said that all the values were higher than they should be.
> There is no visible smoke.  The inspector said that it could possibly be
> the catalytic converter going bad, but he didn't know for sure.
>
> The engine seemed to run hot during testing.  There is a water
> temperature gauge with a light in the middle, the Cabriolet was running
> half way between the light and the hot zone.  I have the same gauge in
> my vanagon and I usually run just to the left of the light.
>
> One other thing that might have some bearing on this is that it took 4
> tries for the inspector to get a reading.  He finally had to take apart
> the probe that goes into the tailpipe and blow compressed air through
> it.  Then he was able to complete the three cycles.  So anyway, the car
> was pretty hot by the time he could get a reading.
>
> Any ideas??  Any suggestions??  Any and all are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Karen