When your car fails an emissions test, it can wreck your life until you get the necessary repairs completed. Not being able to drive can leave you stuck in the house or dependent upon others, neither of which is fun when you’re used to the independence of having your own vehicle. While you should get a printout of the reasons you’ve failed the test so you know what to address, Leale’s Transmission & Auto Service has compiled a list of five of the most common repairs we see that are needed to get your car running clean and back on the road.
1. Oxygen sensor
If your oxygen sensor goes out, it can cause a host of problems, including a rich air-fuel mixture. This is a fairly common problem that can lead to a myriad of other problems, including a burned-out catalytic converter and higher toxic emissions. Getting this fixed can cost a couple hundred dollars or even more, depending on your car and the mechanic you take it to.
2. Spark plugs
Faulty, worn, or otherwise ineffective spark plugs can lead to increased emissions of gases, easily causing you to fail the emissions test. To replace a spark plug, the part can cost up to $100, and the labor can be another $100 to $200, depending on the shop and the make of your car.
3. Air filter
Clogged, missing, or deteriorating air filters can mean the emissions from your car aren’t being filtered the way they should be. This can lead you to fail the emissions test due to high levels of hydrocarbons. This is a relatively simple issue that can be resolved by replacing the air filter, which generally runs no more than $100 for both part and labor.
4. Catalytic converter
Your car’s catalytic converter is what changes toxic gases like carbon monoxide into better ones like carbon dioxide, a substance that is easier on the environment and healthier for the general public. If your catalytic converter goes out, so does your chance of passing an emissions test. The average cost for repairing a catalytic converter can be over $1,000 with labor and parts, but the fix is essential to passing the test—and it doesn’t compare to the lost wages and freedom of not being able to drive again.
5. EVAP system
The final common repair that is needed is the EVAP system, or Evaporative Emission Control System. This system works to keep gas vapors from leaving your fuel and engine system and going into the environment, and if it stops working, it will definitely make you fail an emissions test. The cost to fix it depends on the problem, as it can be caused by purge valves, vacuum hoses and vents, or faulty gas caps.
Fix, don’t fail
While these repairs can all be costly and stressful, they’ll be worth it in the freedom you’ll get back from being able to drive your car. They’ll also help the environment and the health of the public, including your friends and family. Leale’s Transmission & Auto Service handles repairs for failed emissions tests regularly, and we want to make sure you’re prepared to get the necessary fixes done.
Diagnose and fix your emissions issues at Leale’s.