Hi, I've recently bought a 95 del sol 1.6 ESi, motor D16Z6, that passed emission test 2 years ago, but now has varying values for CO f.eks, from 0.4 to 5.3 ppm, with the other gases following. With the motor warm, the gas values go up and down cyclicly. The crx del sol was only driven about 600 km after the last passed check, has been waiting for to be sold (18 months) until I bought it. I've also driven about 500 km afterwards, runs good, nothing to say about motor performance, except gas smells once in a while. Get a check engine lamp, took to a Honda dealer which decoded the warning to 432 - fuel supply too lean. Honda said it didn't point to specific problem, but they didn't tell me exactly what was checked OK and not OK (for a fee of $225). Honda suggested a minor tune up with gas filter change, oil + filter change and air filter change (didn't check, air filter new) and an old fashioned manual valve adjustment with feeler guages (to the tune of $1100) without promising anything. I expected more info from Honda, for eks. check on the fuel system, valves, compression, air system to motor, check for leaks etc. A new lambdasonde was installed 2 years ago. <Fuel too lean> must be caused by 1) too much air or 2) too little fuel or 3) error in feedback values to the CPU ???? could it be anything else, fuel injectors?

Does anyone have any suggestions as what and how to check high, varying gas emissions. Don't want to pay Honda for checking the same things over and over again.

Thanks for any help which might be suggested.

Regards,
Jim (Norway)

 

For future reference, never take your car to the stealership for diagnostics - everything you need to know is right here in the FAQ's sticky. You could have saved yourself $225 with literally nothing more than a paperclip.

Can you post a picture of the emissions sheet?

 

Thanks,
I've found a thread about the 'CEL' codes in this forum, a little late, and the codes seem to be 1 or 2 digits, not 3 as Honda gave me. I'll check myself with the described procedure. The thread does not have 3 digit codes for the 'CEL' problems. code 43 says <Fuel supply system > and code 45 says <Fuel system too rich or lean>. code 1 says <Oxygen sensor #1 > by the manifold, which is new and Honda said it was OK.

Honda didn't give me any data on the emissions, only that it varied up and down, as I already knew.

Jim

 

Honda gave you a 3 digit code (and charged you $225) because they plugged in an obscenely expensive OBD1 scanner.

If you don't need to pass emissions tests, and your CEL isn't on, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Been away som days..... I have to pass an emission test by 30.nov. Called the Honda shop to ask what they had checked, and was told they used 1.5 hours, but couldn't say what was checked except the CEL error code. I got a line that they had high overhead (also sell BMWs) and they only checked what I specifically asked about. Went to another Honda shop to talk, and they said they would do the same checks (don't trust other shops) and diagnose the error, without saying how or what they would check. Was told I had to ask for specific tests ?? who are the experts here?? So I ordered some parts for a simple tune up, plugs + leads, distributor cap + rotor, fuel filter, change oil + filter, to do myself before I measure again. Searched this forum for info, should check timing. Talked to an independent mechanic, said I should check compression (not likely a problem, runs smoothly) and all connections to the intake manifold, hoses, pcv, ... by spraying start gas to a warm ideling engine on all connections. If the engine revs, I've got an air leak, which could explain the lean fuel CEL error. By the way, CEL OBD1 error codes I found on the forum were only 2 digits, but Honda gave me one 3 digit code?? Will check the codes myself as described on the forum. Thanks for the help so far.
Jim

 

Stealership is taking you for a ride. That's what their paid to do, and the fact that they're a BMW dealership only makes it worse.

Forget about the 3 digit codes - they're just a hair short of useless to you. Pull the OBD1 codes, and we can work from there. While you're doing that, you should also look into a full tune up. Oil, plugs, wires, fuel filter, dizzy cap/rotor, and also buy/borrow/rent a timing light and voltmeter and double check your timing, as well as your TPS calibration.