bb_one

Hey guys, I need some help translating what the 5 gases mean and how I can reduce their readings.
Here is the results:

LOW SPEED TEST (15mph)
HC - My readings- 188 Standard- 136 -- FAILED
CO 1.69% .76% -- FAILED
CO2 12.7%
O2 1.6 %
NOX 1632 1045 -- FAILED

HIGH SPEED TEST (25mph)
HC (ppm)- My readings- 64 Standard- 132-- PASSED
CO (%) .43% .73% -- PASSED
CO2 (%) 14.1%
O2 (%) .5 %
NOX (PPM) 1028 945 -- FAILED

Basically I failed the low speed test the most. My car is stock except for:
DC Sports header

I have everything hooked up as they should be (no bypasses or block-offs). Fresh 10w-30 oil, pretty fresh plugs though they did get flooded with fuel back when I had some trouble with the H22 swap. My car has the JDM P13 ecu which i believe will pass emissions and not visual insepction according to what many have said.

My mechanic says that by changing the cat it will solve my problems, I wanted to get some opinions on HT before I dump 100 bucks for a new cat and still have my car fail emissions.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Oh and please don't respond with the "20 bucks in the mechanic's pocket will do the trick" line, I live in houston and they have been crackin down on shops that have been doing such things, so I'm not interested. Thanks again,

Johnny

pentaq

too much CO and HC means your cat is on its last legs.
too much NOX means your EGR needs inspection.

bb_one

So I'm guessing by replacing the cat, that may solve my problems correct? I recently cleaned out the EGR valve and it dropped my NOX levels almost 1000 PPM from my second test, but still not enough to pass, will the new cat be able to drop is down a bit?

Fly1865

yep, i did every trick in the book and still failed with mine. Sucked it up and go a new cat and it passed with flying colors.

bb_one

Any recommendation for a cat replacement? I would feel most confident with an OEM one, but for 400+ I think i'll have to pass on that.
What do you guys recommend for a cat? I wouldn't mind going with the hi-flow's but would those help me pass emissions? Anyone have exprience with any oem style cat replacements?

bb_one

up

pentaq

Carsound? Random? Those are cats commonly used.

98TypeSH

"high-flow" cats just have larger inlets and outlets. If your car is stock and you dont plan on modding it, get an OEM or OEM like replacement ( same size inlet and outlet as OEM)

syntax.

Ive heard that you can fake your way through emissions by adding a few bottles of drygas to a 1/4 full tank. can anyone confirm or deny this information?

bb_one

I do plan on putting a turbo on the car in the future, but that's not as important as passing my emissions now. PLus high flow cats are pretty cheap like the ones from car sounds that I've seen many used before. Would those pass emissions safely?

speedracer9k

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bb_one &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here is the results:

LOW SPEED TEST (15mph)
HC - My readings- 188 Standard- 136 -- FAILED
CO 1.69% .76% -- FAILED
CO2 12.7%
O2 1.6 %
NOX 1632 1045 -- FAILED

HIGH SPEED TEST (25mph)
HC (ppm)- My readings- 64 Standard- 132-- PASSED
CO (%) .43% .73% -- PASSED
CO2 (%) 14.1%
O2 (%) .5 %
NOX (PPM) 1028 945 -- FAILED
</TD></TR></TABLE>

HC's are a direct relationship to misfire and/or unburnt fuel. CO's is from partially burnt fuel-A/F ratio, and NOx is from too much heat in the combustion chamber. I think that you failed at low speed because you are running too rich which will cause the HC's and the CO's to be high. i think the NOx are high is because either your EGR valve is slightly stuck open or has some carbon buildup in it causeing it to be be slightly open.

The cat could be a problem too, if i'm not mistaken you have a TWC cat. which is supposed to burn the rest of the HC's, CO's, and NOx, and turn them into CO2 and O2. You could have a problem with your cat too, but i would look into your A/F ration first, then check your EGR.

homesauce

LOW SPEED TEST (15mph)
HC - My readings- 188 Standard- 136 -- FAILED
CO 1.69% .76% -- FAILED
CO2 12.7%
O2 1.6 %
NOX 1632 1045 -- FAILED

HIGH SPEED TEST (25mph)
HC (ppm)- My readings- 64 Standard- 132-- PASSED
CO (%) .43% .73% -- PASSED
CO2 (%) 14.1%
O2 (%) .5 %
NOX (PPM) 1028 945 -- FAILED

From the looks of it, since you said you checked your EGR, it looks like you need to replace your cat. In addition, you're A/F is obviously not stoichimetric, seems like you are running rich, which is causing your catylitic converter to not run efficiently. No, a car sound and random cat will not catylize not "burn" CO, NOX, and HC better. OEM cats use metals like platinum as catylists, and I can guarantee that a 50 dollar cat doesn't have those metals in it. NOX can also be caused by running too lean. What you need to do is tune your motor or something and replace your cat. That's what I would do.

allmotor99lude

i'm dealing with the same problem. i have a 99 prelude and failed horribly and so far ive had the egr cleaned (cut my emissions in half) new sparks/wires/distributor(i had a misfire) replaced the 02 sensor before the cat which cleaned it up so much and im still barely over the limits. the emmissions guy said that the previous owner most likely gutted my cat. so i ordered a random tech hi-flo cat. i'll keep you updated if that helps me pass. but as for you, definetly get your egr looked at and do an active test on your o2 to make sure they are both working properly. lastly, spring for a new cat.

bb_one

So basically I'm running to rich. I'm guessing I should check my o2 sensor? I just ordered a CAT from a muffler shop. I took my EGR out and cleaned it just recently which cut my NOX emissions almost in half but it's still not good enough. Any other suggestions on what I should do? I readjusted my ignition timing to the stock 15 degrees yesterday, and I plan on reaplacing my fuel filter tomorrow. Anything else I should add to my list of to dos?

-O2 sensor

- Anything else someone would like to input

speedracer9k

check the a/f ratio...since you said you cleaned the EGR and the NOx went down in half, i think i a/f/ ratio is running a little lean which will cause high combustion chamber temperatures which is how NOx is created.

v4lu3s

you are running too rich, could probably use a cat, and you may need to drill out your egr ports and clean those as well. right now your a/f is aropund 13.8 on the low test, so it may be somethign a a new o2 sensor will help.

the jdm p13 will pass emissions fine, visual or otherwise. i have been passing my h22 civic and h22 accord here in texas for the past 3+ years without an issue.

bb_one

Thanks guys, I just ordered a new cat and denso universal 02 sensor. I will post the results once I go re-test.