All aftermarket cats do not have the same amount of active material as the
factory unit and consequently, do not perform as well after some use. It
may be bad. You still need to address the O2 problem to get the CO where
it should be. Then checking before and after the cat will tell if it
working. Should be 1.1% or less before and ~ half that or better after.
Same with HC.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: wognacious [mailto:wognacious@ewnet.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 5:12 PM
To: d23haynes57@hotmail.com; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: re: SPAM-MED: RE: Failed CA Smog

replaced the cat two years ago when the van passed with flying colors, I
guess I was overly confident going into this last test. heck I was well
under the average numbers on the previous smog test. so you suggest
replacing the O2 sensor......
paul

  _____

From: "Dennis" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 1:09 PM
To: "'wognacious'" <wognacious@EWNET.NET>, <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: SPAM-MED: RE: Failed CA Smog

The CO reading of 1.10 is saying that your O2 sensor is not working. The
High HC is slightly related or you have a miss fire. The O2 sensor should
be regulating the Co at about .5-.6. If the Cat is working, it should be
further reduced to almost "0". Yes, these numbers indicate a Cat. That
would show up on a dyno test as an NOx failure.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
wognacious
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 11:07 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Failed CA Smog

Just 2 years ago this van passed with flying colors this time no go.
Passed the 15 mph failed the 25 mph HC and CO
HC max is 103 I measured 190
CO max is 1.10 I measured 1.12
the only thing I have noticed is that my throttle position switch has been
acting up recently, but that is at low rpms. any thoughts or suggestions
will be greatly appreciated. I have a new TPS and will install today also
I didn't do a plug or oil change prior to the test, would that matter or
help?
TIA,
paul rogers
85 westy