California Smog Purgatory...

[matts86chev]

So I took this thing to get smogged while back and it failed. Passed Comp. Visual Inspection but failed the functional check because of a check engine light, that was the ONLY thing cited in that portion of the test as a FAIL.

For the Emissions test it failed with really high NOx. So I figured out the CEL and replaced the Coolant Temp Sensor that was causing it, thats out of the way... Ran some stuff through the fuel system, replaced the spark plugs and put in a new radiator because the old one ended up leaking massively anyways.

This morning I take it back in to get tested, fairly confident it should pass according to what was wrong on the last test and now a different tech at the same shop does the test and I come out with another FAIL but this time it says TAMPER for Comp. Visual Test, FAIL for functional and FAIL for emissions!

The list of fails:
EGR Visual: MODIFIED
Fuel Cap Functional: FAIL
Vacuum Lines to Sensors/switches: DISCONNECTED
Ignition Timing: U 00: FAIL
Wiring to sensors: DISCONNECTED

He made a list at the bottom saying:
Vacuum hose @ thermal vac switch missing
EGR Vacuum Hose taped
Engine Idle speed @ drive is 675 rpm, require 550 rpm
Bad Fuel Cap Passenger side

Some of those are easy fixes. I am just trying to understand the discrepancy here really. I have never had ANY of those issues mentioned in the 3 prior smog tests I have had done on this truck. and the first 2 times it passed.

I also failed NO again but I cut it in half and only failed by like 13 ppm so any tips on lowering that some more would be great!

Anyone else ever had an experience like this? This guy just decide to be hard up on stuff today or what? Any help, advice or tips on some fixes would be AWESOME!