WARNING - long post, cliffnotes at bottom

so I did a search, and found that these three threads were the most relevant-

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=553683
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=357056
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=106413

before I begin, my results were:

15mph -
%CO2 14.00
%O2 0.60
HC (PPM) - 61 (max) 9 (ave) 109 (meas)
CO(%) - 0.54 (max) 0.02 (ave) 0.18 (meas)
NO (PPM) - 467 (max) 57 (ave) 0099 (meas)

result - FAIL

25mph -
%CO2 14.00
%O2 0.59
HC (PPM) - 45 (max) 7 (ave) 44 (meas)
CO(%) - 0.53 (max) 0.03 (ave) 0.22 (meas)
NO (PPM) - 754 (max) 50 (ave) 0019 (meas)

result - PASS

Also, I think the morons at the Acura dealership set my timing incorrectly- the smog tech said that it was set at "B10". Isn't normal timing set at 14?

My car is a stock 1997 GSR Sedan, and was effected by the emissions recall through Acura ( http://www.acuraofmissionviejo...1.asp ) and I had this free service done at 105k miles. The service included:

What b19coupe said is interesting, because on the letter from Acura regarding the emissions recall, it states

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The concerns noted above do not affect the current operation, driveability, or safety of your vehicle. Rather, it involves a part of the emission system's diagnostic function. Specifically, the problem is limited to the detection of a misfire condition in your vehicle's engine. You are strongly encouraged to participate in the remedial actions offered in this letter. Participation will decrease the risk that your vehicle may fail an emission inspection test in localities where such tests are required, and will maintain the proper functioning of your vehicle.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

So is this a symptom of the recall? What will correcting the timing do for me? The smog tech was willing to overlook the timing issue had I passed the tailpipe test, but since it failed, there was nothing he could do at the time.

Previously, I had read some threads saying that after some people failed, the smog tech had them drive around the block really hard and then came back and passed when they retested. I asked my smog tech about this, and he gave it a try. In my case, that worked. My question is, why does that work? My smog tech did that for me, but he said that it wasn't the correct way to pass smog. I was wondering if I should bother going back to Acura to have them fix some stuff (since I am affected by the emissions recall) or should I just let things go since I passed the second time? I don't want this happening to me the next time I go for a smog check.

Cliffnotes:

Failed smog (high HC count), ran engine hard, retested, and passed. Why did it pass the 2nd time?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B U N M A N G O &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Failed smog (high HC count), ran engine hard, retested, and passed. Why did it pass the 2nd time?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Driving it hard will heat up the catalytic converter to a higher operating temperature which improves the oxidation of the HC into H2O and CO2. Most of the pollution from cars comes from when they are stone cold.

Defintely take your car into Acura to have those recall items looked at/replaced, it'll help with the overall performance of your car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stumpyf4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Defintely take your car into Acura to have those recall items looked at/replaced, it'll help with the overall performance of your car. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I already had all my stuff replaced (spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor), is that what you mean?

 

i just failed myself yesterday..... i believe it is a bad cat

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B U N M A N G O &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I already had all my stuff replaced (spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor), is that what you mean?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry my bad. What's the milage on your GSR, your cat may be past it's prime. Also if you're burning any significant amount of oil than that would contribute to high HC as well. Check the PCV system in this case.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stumpyf4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Sorry my bad. What's the milage on your GSR, your cat may be past it's prime. Also if you're burning any significant amount of oil than that would contribute to high HC as well. Check the PCV system in this case. </TD></TR></TABLE>

108k miles... and yes I'm burning oil, my compression test results were horrible 180's across, 165 or so in one cylinder. I guess that's my problem then?

Also, I waited about 45 minutes until my smogcheck... when I got there, all of the techs had gone out to lunch. Would the cooling of the cat have something to do with failing the first time?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B U N M A N G O &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

108k miles... and yes I'm burning oil, my compression test results were horrible 180's across, 165 or so in one cylinder. I guess that's my problem then?

Also, I waited about 45 minutes until my smogcheck... when I got there, all of the techs had gone out to lunch. Would the cooling of the cat have something to do with failing the first time?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your oil consumption is not helping things. You could try running a heavier weight oil and seeing if that helps your compression numbers. And the 45min wouldn't help matters, you really want your car at operating temp when they do the test.

Overall I think you may be due for a rebuilt soon, you may want to wait till you're forced by failing emissions.