So I took my gfs car to get smogged today and it failed. I was wondering what the source of the problem can be? The car is a Stock 1997 Honda Civic Dx (D16Y7) Automatic. My guess was that the Cat is probablly dying on her, but I want to get a second opinion before we dump $300+ for a rebuilt cat.

15MPH Test (FAILED):
HC- 66(MAX), Measured 24
CO- .57(MAX), Measured 1.11 FAILED
NOx- 487 (MAX), Measured 307

25MPH Test (PASSED):
HC- 49(MAX), Measured 22
CO- .55(MAX), Measured .09
NOx- 774(MAX), Measured 459

Thanks in advance


Modified by Eg6xCiViC at 2:02 AM 5/1/2007

 

i'd recommend trying a tune up first. like replacing sparks and checking timing belt. then go get urself some seafoam. that will clean out the crap in the engine and gaurantee a pass.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vietfella &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'd recommend trying a tune up first. like replacing sparks and checking timing belt. then go get urself some seafoam. that will clean out the crap in the engine and gaurantee a pass. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah, what this guy said.

 

Cool thanks for the input.. Anybody else have any ideas?

 

It wouldn't hurt to replace the cat either, whoever said $300 to "rebuild" your catalytic converter need to be lynched.

You can buy new ones for ~$50

I too recommend a basic tune-up and running seafoam in your injectors and brake booster. But you'll need an oil change, so lets hope you didn't do an oil change recently.

 

Also, i hear that if you keep the car revved for a while before your car goes into machine it'll help it pass. I read this on here when i was trying to make my car pass. Something about the cat being more efficient when warmed up.

 

i did an oil and plug change and passed my second time around

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ek forever guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It wouldn't hurt to replace the cat either, whoever said $300 to "rebuild" your catalytic converter need to be lynched.

You can buy new ones for ~$50

I too recommend a basic tune-up and running seafoam in your injectors and brake booster. But you'll need an oil change, so lets hope you didn't do an oil change recently.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wish it was $50...I replaced mine on my 93 Si back in august for 100 installed...But since my GF's car is the OBD-2 model with the cat on the manifold, they dont really sell mass produced OBD-2 Cats like the earlier OBD models which sit under the car..If someone here in So Cal knows a good place that sells OBD2 cats for a reasonable price let me know..Thanks again guys/gals for the quick replies

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eg6xCiViC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cool thanks for the input.. Anybody else have any ideas?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Move out of Cali

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97Ej6mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Move out of Cali </TD></TR></TABLE>

That would be a no..no matter how shitty the emissions laws are, cali is still great..I just dont understand how these guys with modded cars do it.. $200 smogs would get kinda old after the second time around..

 

CA for the loss.

Retarted real estate, economy, party affiliation majority, and it's damn near impossible to mod your car without getting **** for it.

 

I did a few searches on here and just out of curiosity would mixing Denatured Alcohol with gasoline lower the CO levels?

 

Replace the following:
- Spark Plugs $2 each x 4 (slhondaparts.com) or NGK copper v-power from Autozone or checker
- Distributor Cap $16 (slhondaparts.com) or cheapo Autozone
- Distributor Rotor $17 (slhondaparts.com) or cheapo autozone
- Plug wires $59 (slhondaparts.com) or NGK 7mm blues for around $43 (on ebay)

Then get yourself a timing light and check the ignition timing. It's not hard to do, but there is a procedure. If you can't do it yourself, then have a mechanic do it for you. This will get it to pass...

All the parts prices are from SLHondaparts.com, which is a california Honda dealership that sells over the internet. They are not the lowest prices (hondapartsdeals.com is w/ coupon code "Honda-tech10"), but they will get you parts the fastest...

 

after your tune up if you have a timing gun (or a friend w/ one) then you should prob check timing as well... my 90crx didn't pass because the timing was off! but a tune up always helps...

if you wanna go cheap and ghetto you can also skip the new cap and rotor and just bust out some fine grit sandpaper on your existing cap and rotor

i havent seen a new cat installed for &lt; 100 bucks so i'd go down that route last

 

I actually changed out the plugs before i smogged it..Do you think the car needs some hotter plugs to compensate for the rich volume of fuel?

 

First off CO is caused by bad combustion.

Things that raise CO
old gas
additive in gas
Bad coil,plugs, cap, rotor. and wires.
Over active EGR
Carbon deposits
Bad map sensor
vacuum leaks.
bad valve adjustment

What octane are you running?
What is your timing at?
Has the car been sitting?
Really to diagnosis a bad cat we need the O2 readings from the test.

 

OT: Is it just in CA they sniff OBD2 cars? Here in MD for OBD2, they just hook you up to the scanner and you're good to go.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EE_Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OT: Is it just in CA they sniff OBD2 cars? Here in MD for OBD2, they just hook you up to the scanner and you're good to go.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I believe in CA every car goes in for a full probe every two years...

Most other states do not probe OBD2+ (at least they don't here in Nevada)...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thesmogman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First off CO is caused by bad combustion.

Things that raise CO
old gas
additive in gas
Bad coil,plugs, cap, rotor. and wires.
Over active EGR
Carbon deposits
Bad map sensor
vacuum leaks.
bad valve adjustment

What octane are you running?
What is your timing at?
Has the car been sitting?
Really to diagnosis a bad cat we need the O2 readings from the test.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can get the 02 readings when I get home from work..as far as the octane. Just the regular 87 octane..The car has its normal use to work and back.I'll get more info on all this when I get home.

As far as OBD2 cars and smog..They get the normal treatment as other..Smog every other year...

EDIT: Here are the rest of the readings

<U>15MPH</U>
%C02- Measured: 14.1
%02- 0

<U>25MPH</U>
%C02- Measured: 14.6
%02- 0

Ignition Timing during the test was 12 BTDC

Modified by Eg6xCiViC at 12:29 AM 5/2/2007


Modified by Eg6xCiViC at 12:31 AM 5/2/2007

 

Bump info edited

 

sounds like you need to replace the CAT or the car wasnt properly warmed up before geting it smog.