BMW Repair: 320i failed emissions, vacuum leaks, intake hoses

Question
  My 1983 320i just failed the emissions test. The idel rpm is a little high at 1300. The HC ppm was 470 the CO was 9.1 and the NOxppm was 190.  Any good idea where to
start tracing this problem.

Thanks,

Woody

Answer
Woody,
 Yes, 1300rpm is high for that engine.  It should be more like 750rpm.  I would check for vacuum leaks, and make sure the Idle Control Valve (ICV) is working correctly (it probably needs cleaning).  You can check for vacuum leaks by taking some starting fluid and misting around the intake hoses and any other vacuum line you can see.  if you hear the engine idle up, there is a leak and the engine is burning the starting fluid.  Go lightly with this spray, as it is flamable.  It evaporates almost immediately, so there's nothing to worry about as long as you dont hose down the whole engine.

 To use the same stuff to clean the ICV.  Pull it off and spray it out, hopefully this will help.

 Good luck,
 Josh