"Nate Nagel" > wrote in message
...
> Have you replaced the O2 sensor? Or had someone tweak the mixture
> adjustment on the fuel distributor? (techron is a good idea tho, dirty
> injectors are another possibility) A VW shouldn't NEED a catcon to pass
> emissions, I know lots of people with gutted and/or known failed cats
> (myself included) who have passed smog tests with flying colors.

The car invariably passed smog checks w/o cat replacement until 239K miles
('98). Then the HC numbers were way out, and a new cat brought them way
down. The car passed in 2000 and just barely in 2002. In 2004 needed another
cat to pass. So we get one cat going 238K, next 10K, and next...2.8K? I
don't think it's been using THAT much more oil. It's been tuned, CO adjusted
and O2 sensor replaced a while ago - symptoms don't indicate O2 sensor, do
they?

Any idea what effect Techron will have on the test if tested with it still
in the tank?

> If you are anywhere near DC I advise you to just give the car to me,
> because early body Sciroccos are utterly worthless and certainly not any
> good for monster 1.8 turbo swaps

That sounds perfectly unreasonable. Hmm, maybe I should be asking what's
involved in a 1.8 turbo swap! Anyway, I'm on the best coast.

> Seriously, though, a quart in 200 miles is not good, engine might just
> be getting tired if a real tune-up doesn't get it to pass. Your cat
> might well be dead already if all that oil is being burned and not
> leaking out. Good news is that vee-dub 4-cyls are near unbreakable so
> it should be ready for another good 250K after a rebuild.

Maybe so, but also needs a fender, weatherstrip, upholstery, headliner,
paint, dashboard, wiring, CV joints...and who knows what else. It sure has
been the best car I've ever had though. Only 2 sets of tires, 2 brake jobs,
2 timing belts, and IIRC only one clutch in 252K miles. In its youth it got
36 mpg hwy, 29 city.

nf