I failed my emmision test with my 2000 323i

[prime_time323]

Ok guys first of Merry Christmas better late than never !

Now i failed my emissions test. The only thing i failed is the no ppm. 450 or close to it is allowed i got 1440. everything else passed easily. Now couple mechanics told me it's the catalytic convertor. (could it be the EGR as well??) Should i change it? the car is 7 years old and has 289 k's on it. The catalytic convertor is the original one on that car from what i was told. I also went to a mechanic today and he hooked it up to the computer and some 12 things came up. I think something about the oxygen sensors and couple cylinder misfires. Should i change the pluggs haven't changed them in at least 2 years..(my brother drove it for most part but now that he moved i got the car and all the problems attached with it lol) And the car itself sometimes starts and as soon as it starts it dies..copule tries later it usually runs good enough (it only doesn't start right when the engine is cold) ..and the rpm is too low and shaky at the time of the starting..i know lots of problems so far ..but anyway my main concern is passing the emissions test...any help guys?!!

[sidewinder69]

Get a new distributor. The old one is probably shot. Mine misfired like a bastard at a red light, and a hell of a rough idle when starting....and when it's cold.

If you can't see any cracks in the casing of the distributor try grounding out a screwdriver near it and see if you get any jumping arcs. I know I did.