Won't Pass Smog. Carburator/Choke Problem

[bckpckr83]

I have an '84 Odyssey on a 4-cylinder 22-R with a carburator. I took it in to get smogged and it failed. The smog guy noticed and showed me a missing butterfly from the choke. This was the cause of the vehicle to idle high and also be a pain in the butt to start (I have to pump on the gas forever or using starting fluid).

He advised me the best solution was to take out the carburator, add the missing part(s) from a used parts carb. and 'overhaul'/clean the thing.

I would like to know anyone's opinion on this. I went and talked to a Toyota mechanic and he was in accordance with the smog guy. The mechanic seemed legit and admitted that he wouldn't even want to tackle such a project, especially for what the smog guy wants to charge me($500).

I have to get the vehicle to pass smog! And I'm not sure what else to do.

Thanks

Janna

[bufbooth]

Hello Janna,

It does sound like your carb does need some fixing, at least the butterfly.

You may want to go to a Toyota dealer and see if they can order you the

missing part(s). A missing butterfly from the choke would explain the hard

starting, basically you do not have a choke. You may end up needing a

few more parts than just the butterfly, there might be a spring and or clip that

goes with the Butterfly that you are missing. I am not sure why the Toyota

mechanic that you talked to would not want to take on the project, it should be

fairly simple, order a few parts and one to two hours of labor at the most. If

the needed parts end up being no longer orderable, then you need to head off

to a salvage yard to get a carb for parts, but as popular the Toyota 4 cylinder

engine is, there should be OEM replacement parts available. I would talk to

another mechanic or two.

Dennis...

[Maineah]

Why did it flunk? Do you have the figures CO, CO2, NOX etc. A missing choke plate will only make it hard to start. Vacuum leaks, rich, idle mix, timing will effect your smog test does it still have it's cat?. If it comes down to a used carb why not just rebuild the used one then put it on? it would be a lot easier all the parts would be there. There are a lot of small parts in the Toyota carb an overhaul is not for the faint of heart so you need to find some one who has a done a few before.