My 1992 Accord EX, 4D, 2.2L failed the emissions test with 1145 HC.

The Smog check person told me and wrote down on the invoice that Cylinder 2 has no compression and "Valve Tap".



How screwed am I? Will a valve adjustment fix it?

 

let me ask how does the guy doing the emissions know which cylinder has low compression? Maybe it's something Im missing? You typically need to mechanically check compression with a gauge and the plugs out.

 

I think it says valve lap, they recut the seat on the bottom of the head where the valve seats and recut the valve to have a nice tight clean seal, however low compression can be caused by either the valve or the piston ring or even a cracked piston etc. sounds like they just want to get some money out of you

 

@1: The guy at the smog shop "checked it out" to see what the problem could be. He claims he did a compression test, checked out spark plugs and the cooling system. I personally don't know the guy but he came highly recommended by family members(my family). I wasn't there either, I had to run errands while he supposedly did all that.

@2: Whoa! ... A valve lap sounds like something worth more than the car itself.

Let me ask, how would they diagnose the need for a "valve lap" without actually popping it open and looking at the valves?

I did notice oil on cyl #3 spark plug and stains on #4, but nothing insane. I was actually going to replace the valve cover gasket and orings, gaskets in a couple of days and pass the feeler gauges on the valves...wow that's a bummer if it turns out I bought a junk.

 

well they can do a compression test and a leak down test. Either way you have a low compression issue which may result in rebuilding the engine. You could find an engine to swap out. Oil on the plug is from the seals that sit under the valve components.

 

ok, thank you for your time and replies.

I payed a little over a grand for this jalopy. I'm not about to invest another grand to try and fix it.

 

Post the actual smog results picture. That says valve tap and valve tap is a sound valves make when out of adjustment. It sounds like this guy is trying to get money out of you so go for a second opinion and test elsewhere just to be sure.

 

That picture of the invoice is all he gave me.

 

Go elsewhere for another smog check.

How much did you pay that first guy ?

 

Just the fee on his banner $49.99, well $50, he didnt give me the penny.

 

@holmesnmanny? so it "needs valve tap"?

 

Valve tap is the sound valves make when they need to be adjusted so no he doesnt want to have that sound unless he already has it.

I suppose the guy could have meant to write "has valve tap" instead. The op should get a second opinion via another smog test from another guy to further verify. Also, the fact that he didnt get a real smog result sheet sounds suspicious.

 

Yeah all I got was that yellow invoice thing. As far as sound, yeah there is some noise on the engine specially when accelerating.

Q: Would the need for a valve adjustment cause low compression? (Isn't that just like a performance issue?)

 

If the valve adjustment is loose, the camshaft will not be able to fully open the valve for the correct duration. The cylinders will not fill with the correct amount of air and will not make power.

Adjust or have the valves adjusted.

 

or if the valve is not sealing right compression is leaking thus not making it good for emissions. explains the needs valve lap to make the valve seal right