I recently had my car through aircare

They do 3 emissions tests

Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide and NO2?

It passed the 3rd test but failed the first by a looonnnnggg ways

Anyone else here done similar tests? and what's usually the problem.. Someone I know mentioned it just might be running too rich.

 

Hydrocarbons = unburned fuel

check the ignition system first. if you haven't done it recently, replace the plugs, wires, cap, rotor and ignition coil.

 

If you failed both HC and CO then you are prob running rich like you said. Look for vacuum leaks which are awful on MAF cars. Leaks on your passanger side runners or drivers side intake gasket will make you o2 think you are running lean(when you aren't) and it will tell the computer to give it more unneeded fuel. How is your fuel economy? Do you have a way to monitor your o2 voltage?

 

Fuel economy is bad, 13.5 mpg, on 87 octane, going to see what it's like on 89.

I don't have a huge baseline for mpg for the car yet as I've only put 3 tanks of gas in it. But the first was 13, and then 13.5 city driving and abusing it a little.

I have an air sensor(no wires attached or to be found) on the snap on air duct but my buddy said it wasn't stock (orginals didn't have any)

I don't have an easy way to check all that stuff yet... working on it. Still need to get tools and a place to do all my work.

I still need to get manuals and shop books for it.