<E28> Help, very high hydrocarbons on emissions test

["Brian Franchuk" <Brian.Franchuk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I just took my 88 535i to the emissions test station and got some bad 
news.  The hydrocarbons reading was excessively high (168ppm) and
very close to failing.  I connected a scope to the oxygen sensor 
output to check if I have a bad sensor.  I saw a signal that varied 
from .1 to 1 volt every few seconds when the sensor was connected to 
the DME.  It looks like the sensor is working properly.  The other 
thing I noticed is that the exhaust has a bad odor; not like 
sulfur but perhaps more like a lawn mower engine.  It almost seems 
like the cat is dead.  Is there any way to check this?  Is it 
possible that the O2 sensor is working improperly even though it's 
generating the proper voltage signals?

Any help is appreciated.

Brian Franchuk
87 325
88 535i with bad breath

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