Failed smog again this year.

1997 Civic EX
D16y8
AEM CAI
DC Headers

Everything else stock.

Cat was changed 2 years ago for previous smog

Recently changed
- Oil
- Cap
- Rotor
- Spark plugs
- Wires (1 yr ago)

The smog guy said he couldn't connect to my ecu, yet when I got home I was able to connect my diagnostic tool and make connection. He also said my AEM wasn't CA legal yet it passed on the previous inspection.

 

Damn man that sucks. I'm f'n glad we don't have smog here

 

can you take it to another station with a non retard tech and maybe change your pcv

 

WTF he told me the PCV has to do with the computer....

 

its on your intake manifold and get clogged from time to time theyre like less than five bucks. The tech was a total tard.

 

Fair enough what can I do about my Nox numbers?

 

change o2 sensors since you say you previously replaced the cat but may be an issue again

 

i'm also glad i don't have to deal with smog

 

CA blows

 

So does anyone have more advice on lowering my numbers besides 02 sensors?

 

So like they said do BOTH O2 sensors... as well as the pcv which isn't hard to do.
How long ago did you get the header? Make sure it isn't cracked. (Try switching to old intake in the meanwhile just to pass if you have to.)
Seafoam your car?
Ooo and double check the cat to make sure no cracks either... You never know.(I know you said only 2 years but still.) :D all I can think of for now. Lemme know how it goes. <('.'<)

 

OP, are you using an OEM cat or something like a magnaflow replacement?

 

It's not OEM i think its a Magnaflow or something similar that they welded on

 

Yea I replaced my OEM cat with a new magnaflow when it went bad about two years ago and the car still threw a code for a bad cat. Unfortunately the cheaper aftermarket replacement cats just don't do as good of a job as their oem counter parts. Luckily for me, I'm obd2 and all maryland does is plug a scan tool in to check for emissions. No probes or anything so I can get away with doing the o2 sensor trick to make the ecu think the cat is just fine. My suggestion would be to borrow an oem cat from someone and use it to get the car smogged then you can return it after you pass and reinstall your current cat.

 

Is it looking like my 02's and cat are fried?

 

Not necessarily, its just the sheer fact that cheap aftermarket cats don't perform as well as their oem equivalents. Your cat isn't fried, its just that it doesn't perform to a high enough standard.

How many miles are on the O2 sensors?

When was the last time the ignition timing was set on the car?

Here's my recommendation, put an oem cat on the car, change the pcv valve, and if the ignition timing hasn't been checked in a long time, have a professional set it with a timing light. Changing the O2 sensors wouldn't hurt, but I'd be inclined to try what I've listed before changing them out just because there is no point in spending more money than you have to.

 

Even if you fix your numbers, the ECU problem is the bigger one to look at. What year is your car? What wiring harness and ECU are you using?

 

1. Replace your PCV
2. Check ignition timing
3. You need to have the cat adequately warmed up before going if you didn't. However your tests really point to an inefficient cat. You need something similar to OEM as possible.
4. Don't replace the secondary 02 as all it does is monitor your cat efficiency and won't do anything to lower your smog #s.

Good luck

 

It's stock as far as I know, I'll have to pull the cover off and see the stamp on it, but like i mentioned in the op I was able to hook up my diagnostic tool just fine and read the sensors.

 

I can't imagine having to deal with this bullshit. CARB regulations alone will keep me from moving to CA...good luck

 

fix it... replace parts till you get fixed or pay up a good 200 bux. So Cal sux and so does OR.

 

This^

The OBD2 port is not communicating with the inspector's code reader.

Does the CEL work? Using your code reader, what codes are thrown?

 

The Cel light turns on than off when i first start the vehicle and I didnt have a CEL when I went in. When i got home I plugged my reader in and was able to check for codes (node codes found) and I checked the readiness monitor status and the status list came up no problem.

 

Oh okay. Must have been a bad connection at the station.

 

The plan so far this weekend is to swap the pre cat 02 sensor, pcv and double check the timing.