1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

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Old May 17, 2011 | 10:07 AM
  #1  
joshy's Avatar
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From: WA
Default 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

I am in WA state has failed twice now.
I changed plugs (NGK 5632 BCPR6E-11), oil (Castrol), oil filter (Wix) and wires (Bosch) between the first and second test.
Car has 230k, runs strong does smoke when jumping on it.
Has aftermarket header and exhaust
No CEL
What needs to be fixed? or what is causing to fail

First Test:

HC (PPM)
Cruise Limit 220
Cruise Emissions 330
Fail
Idle Limit 220
Idle Emissions 179
Pass
CO (%)
Cruise Limit 1.2
Cruise Emissions 2.61
Fail
Idle Limit 1.2
Idle Emissions 1.08
Pass


Second Test

HC (PPM)
Cruise Limit 220
Cruise Emissions 449
Fail
Idle Limit 220
Idle Emissions 259
Fail
CO(%)
Cruise Limit 1.2
Cruise Emissions 1.82
Fail
Idle Limit 1.2
Idle Emissions 1.03
Pass

Last edited by joshy; May 17, 2011 at 10:54 AM.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 10:29 AM
  #2  
fabioso's Avatar
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Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

smoking could mean rings/cylinder wear, or might be valve guide seals.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 11:12 AM
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From: Granada Hills, Ca, USA
Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

A little more info would be helpful.
When you go to test, do you have any additives in your gas?
What octane are you running?
Are you driving about 15 min before the test to get the CAT heated?
Do you get right on with the testing when you pull up, or are you having to wait?
If you wait, how long? Do you keep the car idling?
What is your ignition timing set at?
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Old May 17, 2011 | 12:08 PM
  #4  
joshy's Avatar
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Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

running 87 octane, i have only put seafoam thru it.
i did let it warm up over 15 mins before testing and I waited about 5-10 mins in line before my turn with the car running.
haven't messed with the timing at all or even looked at it.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 02:31 PM
  #5  
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Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

All sounds good so far.

Have to make sure your basic tune-up items are all good before suggesting checks on the bigger items.

You HC is the concern I'm looking at - unburnt fuel.
This is odd since you ran low octane and have changed out some of the ignition items.

Check your ignition timing.
Don't forget to jump the service connector to disable the ignition advance.
Also, take a look inside your distributor cap and see if it's worn out
Make sure your air filter is clean.
Check your compression as well.

You could also be running lean causing a lean misfire - also produces high HC - so check for vacuum leaks.

How long before the test did you run the seafoam? (Assuming you pulled it through the intake though a vacuum line?!?!)

Have you done an oil change recently, after the seafoam?
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Old May 17, 2011 | 03:14 PM
  #6  
joshy's Avatar
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Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

i changed the oil within 150 miles of seafoming.
I changed the oil/plugs/wires last night and retested this morning.
I will take a look at the timing and air filter when I get a chance.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 03:36 PM
  #7  
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Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

I have been told always go with either OEM wires, or NGK wires with a honda. Also your cat could be possibly clogged with you seafoaming it.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 03:54 PM
  #8  
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Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

After you are done making sure everything is spot on with the maintenance, seafoam can clog the cat, as BK7794 suggested, but it can also foul your O2 sensor. Doesn't seem your O2 is failing and hopefully your cat is good.
Hopefully your timing is off or something.
Take the car over to an exhaust shop and have them check the cat. Most have an optical thermometer that they check the input and output temps of the cat with. Output should be 100+ degrees hotter than the input.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 05:28 PM
  #9  
joshy's Avatar
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From: WA
Default Re: 1990 RT4WD Failed Emissions

it failed before the seafoaming.
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