Smog Check blues

quick update:

I checked the plugs and they were already gapped properly out of the box. Maybe 1 mil out of spec at most.

I thought it was a corroded connection in the wiring harness connector at the distributor but it turned out to be the ECM in the process of failing and now it died completely. It appears to just be a burst electrolytic capacitor so I ordered a replacement to solder on but I'm worried that it's not the only problem.

Whatever, I'll fix it somehow, hopefully before I run out of food here.

thanks for all the help guys

Give this thread a read, has some good info on how to repair the ecm, this is a common issue with these trucks.



Good luck

From your picture of your O2 sensor it looks like antifreeze is getting blown out of the exhaust and if that is the case, that is why your pressure would be showing a loss.

If you take the radiator cap off and let the engine idle while you look down into the radiator you may see bubbles which would also indicate a blown head gasket that you might still be able to retorque.the head to fix.

I just gave that a try. I ran the engine for about three minutes and the coolant was starting to boil and flow into the overflow tank but I never saw any bubbles.

I was having cooling system problems a few years ago but used a bunch of stop-leak and then replaced the water pump, thermostat, radiator and all hoses. It's been running great since (temperature-wise I mean). Do you think the condition of that old O2 sensor could have been from a leak a few years ago that's no longer a problem or should I check into this further somehow?

I just spent $400 to have a new catalytic converter installed so I really don't want to foul it if there is an engine problem that's contaminating the exhaust. I did just pass emissions with flying colors on all 5 gasses if that makes any difference.

Thanks for the info! I had a feeling those old sensors could be "read."