1995 Honda Civic LX




Apparently, I am a gross polluter. I passed the comprehensive visual inspection but was told that my Ignition Timing was off (Was at 12 B when I should be at 16 B)

Would ignition timing result in me failing HC, CO, AND NO? These are high numbers when compared to my 2014 smog report. I have only put on 5,000 miles since then but the car is pretty mileage (257,688). Should I replace the cat converter or is the timing the reason for all three fail?

I should also note that a week ago, I had to replace my valve cover gasket due to oil found in the spark plug bay. I did not put the oil cap back on correctly and spilled oil. Had to clean that up. Would I have burned out the excess oil within a week?

 

They didn't set your ignition timing? I thought that was something that was SOP. Get your ignition within spec before worrying about anything else. When you had oil in your plug tubes, did you pull the plugs and inspect them? If it soaked through the threads, it may have coated the plugs and screwed them up.

 

The cat is also likely bad.

Do a tune up as well if the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor are old.

 

Yeah, I think I have to just replace the cat. Would a new cat bring all those numbers down? Should I also replace the 02 sensor? I installed a new distributor, spark plugs, and wires so those are fine. I would open the cap up more but I failed the timing from the smog test anyways. The timing should be 16 +/- 2

 

Anyone know where I can find a cheap cat converter? I tried Ebay but I am afraid of buying a non-California model. A local shop wants $200 for the cat, $65 for labor but said if I brought in my own, I would just be charged the $65.

1995 Honda Civic LX 1.5L Non Vtec

 

In Nazifornia, there's no such thing as a cheap cat.

slomofo, that won't work. If he isn't within 2 degrees of 16*, he'll fail.

 

Change your timing to 16* and replace your cat. Both of those things need to happen before you will pass smog.


NARC, in CA most smog shops can't touch anything, if they do, they will be fined.

 

Another question, if I change the cat, do I have to change the O2 sensor as well? I figure the cat was enough to pass smog.

 

It would be wise to change the O2 sensor. A failing O2 sensor can lead to a fouled cat, which would burn up your hard earned $256 that you are going to spend on a new cat.