hows it going everybody? So the time has come to renew my registration in ca and i failed my smog test. A little background on the car , its a 99 honda civic lx. it was burning oil slowly so i rebuilt the engine with all new rings , seals ,etc.
it failed HC(PPM) and CO(%) at 15mph. and just HC(PPM) at 25 mph. any suggestions what can be wrong?
ive also switched both 02 sensors and catalytic converter from another car same model that recently passed smog.my father is saying i didnt let the car warm up enough(drove about 25 minutes then sat for 5 before test). and the smog technician says my thermostat is no good that its stuck open. i came home and checked thermostat and it was working perfect. whats your guys thought? should i switch to a higher temp thermostat(180 F.)?

 

Post the emissions sheet.

 

thanks for the reply ron.

 

It's running rich.

How old are the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor?

Also try setting the ignition timing to 12-deg BTDC.

 

plugs are new .wires cap and rotor are about 2 yrs old.

ok, i know to adjust timing i need to move the dist. But how do i determine which way to move it?this is the timing light i use if it matters at all http://goo.gl/JqOGuV

 

Are the plugs NGK?

What brand are the plug wires?

Have you inspected the distributor cap and rotor and looked for dust and oil inside the distributor?

See diagram in FAQs sticky at the top of the forum. Rotate distributor until the pointer aligns with the 12-deg BTDC red mark on the crank pulley.

 

yes the plugs are NGK v-power

wires are duralast from autozone

i have not inspected them, but i just purchased a new set from napa that im gonna swap out.

 

Seriously consider replacing with OEM wires.

 

you think thats causing the failed emissions?

 

Crappy plug wires can cause misfiring that increases HC in the exhaust.

 

ok plugs rotor and cap all changed. any other low cost items that i could change to help this?
also on the exhaust manifold there was a small crack and i had it welded but it looks like its slowly opening again could that cause it to run lean?

 

The crappy plug wires and ignition timing.

Yes, if you mean "rich".

 

plug wires were changed and I changed timing

I'm gonna try and smog it again tomorrow hopefully the exhaust isn't too big a problem

 

whats the best way to post pictures? i noticed when i put my picture my post was edited,what did i do wrong?

 

After you upload your picture, then paste the IMG code for the picture into your post.