Former User

The idle speed is abnormally high. You also may want to test the ECT sensor.

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

UPDATE--- PROGRESS MADE THANKS TO ALL!!!!


so after some trial and error i figured out how to properly use the ohm/volt meter. i had the wires on my knock sensor backwards. ****** f er.. and upon removing and inspecting the old knock sensor i realised it was in fact broken.. unfortunately the omni knock sensor i purchased from a vendor here was defective. sensor has a lifetime warranty so ill ship back and get a refund. got a new sensor from the dealership and with the correct wiring i got the check engine light to stay off. i had the car re-tested at a different spot and heres the new numbers...
hcs cos nos
15mph 62 .06 2631
25mph 28 .03 2615

so the tech that did the smog said my no's are able to be reduced by running an obd2 cat.says that obd2 cats have a special chemical inside that helps reduce no's. im looking forward to your replies. thanks again to all especially rj, fm, crapbox....

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

adjusted idle down to around 750-800 rpm. retarded timing as well. do you guys suggest replacing the cat.?.

fungus mungus

I'd replace the cat (you never said how old your OEM cat is). I suspect it's on the way out...that's the chief culprit when NOx emissions are that high (on an otherwise stock motor). If you're car was running lean, that would lead to high NOx emissions. Can you verify if it is or not?

Other causes of higher than normal NOx readings are higher-than-normal engine temps, excessive carbon build-up (causing higher compression than normal), and failing EGR system.

But if you have a really old cat, replacing it may be all you need to get your readings down to normal.

fm

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

yo fm,
yah i removed and looked at inside of the cat and looked fine inside but looks can be deceiving. doubt im runnin lean as its all stock now.ecu and parts- other then the carb legal intake mani..carbon buildup maybe a possibility.. ill sea foam it, replace the plugs, and oil change, and cat- and hopefully pass the ref..thanks again.

Scooooter7

Good luck Turtle.

I too am having trouble passing the CA smog test. My NO numbers are high, meas at 1042 and 722. About 200 parts over the limit. The other numbers pass but are above the averages.

My vehicle is a bone stock 1992 LS Integra with only 142,000 miles. I am trying to determine if changing the cat is what I need, or maybe just trying to eliminate the carbon buildup that might be present.

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

thnx scooooter..
did a sea foam treatment yesterday for the carbon removal. i did a can in the gas tank at about a half tank of gas and ran it till it was near empty and filled up with a fresh tank of 91. ( i always run chevron 91) removed vacuum line from brake booster and vacuumed another can into the intake mani- woahhhh lotssss of smoke..choke choke choke... did 1/3 of can and let run for a few minutes then shut it off, let stand for a few minutes did another 1/3 of a can and followed the same procedure as before.. after the can was nearly gone, i went for a test drive to blow the carbon off and out, as i hit wot the smoke was billowing so badly i exited the freeway for fear of a ticket. ran it on the back roads till the smoke cleared.. it took about a ten minute drive before it was gone entirely. came home and added a small amount to the oil, drove about 150 miles and drained oil, changed filter , and changed to the new e3 plugs as they are hopefully going to help lower emissions. i know the sea foam will help a bit, the plugs should help a bit.. hopefully the retarding of the timing and the two things above will make me pass the dam ref..

96dxcrapbox

if all else fails install a new cat i know magnaflow makes a decent one
good luck.

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

yah they have a universal one for the gsr but no direct fits... i hate havin to pay people to weld, they usually do hack work.. its hard when you dont have the tools but could do the job if you did.. may bite the bullet and buy one from acura.. anyone got any sites for cheap dealer parts???

fungus mungus

Here is about as cheap as you'll get a new OEM cat. Be prepared to say goodbye to a bunch of Ben Frankins.

I passed BAR with an OEM-equivalent replacement cat. I think I paid about $350 or so for it. Maybe not quite as good as OEM, but still legal in CA and it should help you pass if your cat is the problem.

fm

EpHatchy

retarding timing can make a big difference in nox.i failled the first time cause my nox was ridiculously high.retarded timing to 14 degrees and passed with flying colors.

beecee18

Raise idle 50-100rpm
Pull the two degrees timing you have in the +2-2 window,
Oem airbox,
Oem exhaust with good cat, like one of the guys said heat is your best friend,
A hot cat is a better chance passing,
I totally agree about heat soaking the car upon arrival and I myself personally would do the hour drive just like he said,
No cheap gas
Just picture gsr integra leaving the car lot when it was new,
If its obd2 then exhaust leaks are gonna be your worst nightmare as fuel trims will compensate and add fuel.
Everything just has to be laced up real good, that's all.

96dxcrapbox

failing by 200 points on nox could be your front o2 ....but if all of your numbers are bit high your cat may be on the way out.
replacing the cat in your case would ALMOST insure you pass. i would be amazed if you did fail.
again if your car was ice cold than this could be a factor too

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

last time i reffed it i drove for about 35 minutes. i will def. drive for over an hour next time, maybe even two hours.i always run chevron 91, every time.no exceptions. i ordered a brand new oem cat from the dealer - used the link fm, thanks again. cats going to be in the 700 dollar range after i get my core return. it must fix the nox problem. i am running all obd 1 oem parts. fitv, iacv are there and correctly plumbed, proper gsr tb is there , oem headers, muffler, air tube and box off gsr. all is original except ca compliant intake mani with sticker. oh yah and a stock non moded p72

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

oh yah i retarded the timing the 2 degrees as well. so after doing the seafoam smoke show, i got a cel code 1 comin on occasionally, i pulled the sensor today it was frosted with white smoke residue - do you guys think the sensor is shot now?? i cleaned it - wipped down the outside with a rag that i sprayed sensor cleaner on, didnt know if i was safe to directly spray the sensor itself.. its a good thing i have like five o2 sensors layin around..

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

UPDATE TO THE MADNESS!
so after looking over the engine i saw a near short was starting to occur, fixed/ resoldered, shrank wrap, etc. as i was lookin around at everything i noticed the iacv- correct me if im wrong.. (on the back of the intake mani) had a leaking hose. it was slowly leaking coolant onto my cat, o2 sensor and all over the rear mount, wiring.. what a mess. after cleaning up the green crap and replacing the hose clamps i cleaned the iacv since i was there why not do it. cleaned the o2 sensor one more time of the white smokey residue. took care for a 2 hour drive, everythings running fine, no sign of leaks. idles sittin at around 725 750 rpms. waiting on the new factory replacement cat. what a grip of money, but direct fit, smog compliant, quality.

ejoneZC_949

HAd same problem with my nox when i bar'd my b16a. I just bought a magnaflow cat from kragen and i passed with flying colors. Ill try to find my numbers and post them up later.

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

UPDATE!! PLEASE READ RUNNING OUT OF TIME, 2 WEEKS AND COUNTING TILL SHES OFF THE ROAD.

things done so far:
new oem acura obd 1 cat. 0 miles
new iridium plugs
new wires
new donut and o ring on cat - insure no leaks..
seafoamed the vacuum line on b.m.c. and the gas tank - did before installing new cat
new bosch o2 sensor
new map sensor oem
new knock sensor oem - resoldered poor connection/ shrink wrapped
found and fixed leaking hose on iacv. cleaned iacv well off.
cleaned fitv
installed a non moded / chipped ecu.
flushed radiator
oil changed recently
new air filter

idle is around 750 after warm up - starts at about 15oo rpm and slowly goes down as the temperature gets to normal operating temp. i run chevron 91 every time and synthetic oil every time. i have not thrown in cel codes in quite some time and is running smoothly. timing was set dead nuts before last smog, i still need to do some homework and retard my timing 2 degrees to help with emissions. here is a quick spreadsheet of the last six smogs the top is the first smog and the bottom is the most current. any suggestopns would be appreciated.. cmon fm and rj

lome1232

Sounds like you either have low compression, the car is missing or the ignition system is not working properly.

I woul check compression, adjust the valves properly and install stock cables.

If you have a buddy with an OBD2 cat I would borrow it for the smog, definitely will improve numbers across the board.

germanturtle

iTrader: (1)

valve clearences are fine.cat is brand new.im running obd 1. ill see if i can borrow a compression tester. and ill have the distributor tested as well.****

Former User

Thread closed as you have now created a new related one.