I got my car emissions tested today, and it failed on NO ppm at 40 km/h. Then, I noticed that the VIN was inputted incorrectly by the mechanic (they took it off the sticker on the door which was replaced 2 years ago).

Upon retesting, it failed on EVERYTHING else (HC ppm, CO% at 40 km/h and Curb Idle) and fairly miserably! How can that possibly be? I have put a call into the Ministry, but they are closed on weekends. My registration is due next week.

Any thoughts from anyone with the emission tests?

HC is an indication your O2 sensor may be getting lazy. You're running rich, and not burning it all off. This unburnt HC mess tends to overwhelm your Catalytic converter, too. I'd suspect you may need to replace the O2 and Cat from your failure symptoms. This is just a suggestion......We need more information on the age of these 2 parts.

O2 is about a couple of years old. The cat is brand new - I just put it in (it is generic Walker cat).

Before you bring it in again make sure you take it out on the 401 and run it hard so it is really hot. Common trick used by some shops to fail you is to do the test with a cold to warm car. Your cat doesn't start working until it reaches 1700 degrees f. And yes, do the tune up as well.

I will definitely take it for a boot. Now, the car doesn't get driven much, so it had some old gas from Esso (I think their gas is the least environment friendly). I am plan on running out of it completely, filling up with Sunoco Ultra 94 and driving it on the highway before going in.

I got my emissions redone yesterday, and guess what, it PASSED!!! No mechanical changes at all - just put in 94 Sunoco gas and drove it for a while, and drove on the highway for about 15-20 minutes.

Thanks everyone. I have learned how important it is to have good, new gas and have the car warm enough for the test.

I wish we had 94 octane in Alberta! then again we dont have emissions testing!