Hi All,

I have a 1990 Integra GS, 5 Spd, with 94,000 miles. The internals are bone stock. I had installed only a K & N factory sized air filter, and DC header, this being on the car since it haad 45,000 milesss. Factory spark plugs, wires, dist. cap, etc...
The car runs and idles fine, and I had passed the NY emissions exam each year except this year!
Despite just having changed spark plugs, disc cap/rotor, and fuel filter this weekend. I just failed for the first time yesterday with these results (NY emissions test goes thru various MPH and gears on a dyno): Passing HC with 1.03gpm (actual results) vs. 2.00 gpm as the limit. Passing NOx with 2.63gpm vs. 4.00gpm as the limit. FAILED CO with 52.78gpm vs. 30.00gpm as the limit.
The only difference in the car between last year and this year is that I have just installed a Random free-flow cat (not car specific fit) 2 months ago, a HKS Hiper exhaust a week ago.
Granted I did not change the oil, and the K&N air filter was pretty dirty when I took the emissions exam, I still dont get why I failed. The shop was 20 mins local driving from my home... did I not warm up the cat. enough? Could they contribute to the bad CO emissions?
I was also thinking a possible oxgen sensor (even though I do not have a check engine warning light on), so I hooked up a volt meter to it while running thru diff RPMS and I get various readings bet .8 volts and below. So I guess its working. $189. for a new one isnt cheap anyways!
Maybe I should change the PCV? Does this have anything to do with CO high readings?
Could it actually be the Random cat? Doesnt make sense thou, cause its brand new and should meet all EPA controls.
This is driving me crazy...my car should pass emissions and my emissions sticker is expiring in 2 days and I dont want to get a ticket.
Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

put the stock intake assembly back on if you have it or cover the intake with cloth or something to lower the intake of air in the car.
I put the stock intake on my 98 civic ex and it passed the second time.

 

Hey Wantmorepwr,

Thanks for the advice, but I am using the stock filter box and intake assy, I am just using a factory sized drop inK&N filter. So I doubt its that.
Plus doesnt lowering the air volume or intake for the engine make it worse for emissions?

-e2

 

i would think so...

with those mods, sounds like the only thing it could be is the random cat. why not slap on the stock one just for emissions passing?

i had one on my car as well.. no way it was passing...


[Modified by Leo95SE, 8:46 AM 8/16/2001]

 

I purchased an OEM catalyst just for NYS inspection...

If you were running rich, (engine or management problem) I think you would have failed on HC...
I think this rules out the injectors or fuel pressure regulator.
NOx Overlimit would point to a broken EGR valve or running lean.
CO overlimit...
Stages 1 & 2 of your catalyst are working, but not by a far margin... I think this would point to the catalyst or ignition timing.

What do your spark pluigs look like?

BTW
Wish me luck, I'm going for my NYS inspection today...

 

id put the stock cat back on for the test... i have heard of others having bad luck passing with these so called hi flow cats

 

Hey Dman2001 and everyone,

Thanks for the input! I think it maybe the Random Cat also. I gonna change the oil and put the cleaned K&N filter in today, we'll see if it passes this Sat. Next step sounds like the getting a factory cat installed again.
BTW, would anyone have a used cat for sale?
Would anyone have any personal exp with the Random?

E2

 

DMANNYC2001,

BTW the plugs look pretty clean actually.
WHere did u buy the factory cat? And the cost?

Thxl

 

yup, i told ya, i do.. the random will run more rich than stock, esp with NY's more strict emmisions testing..

you can find used stock cats all over the net for around $50..

 

I got my cat for $125, I know, but since the old one disintegrated, the new one is oing back in the box and on a shelf for next year.
(Walker OEM catalyst from a small shop called Dandy's) Pep Boys nor AutoZone had one. If you are in NYC, GB 500 might have it.

BTW
my numbers are: HC 0.30 (1.20), CO 5.54 (20.00) NOx 0.41 (3.00)
pretty good for a 140,000 mile car...

Also,
New oil, wires cap rotor, coil, neg cable, cat, tie rod ends, struts, springs, tires...

 

what happened to the old cat?

 

GOD had something on his site about the oil blowby into the Intake Manifold which can deposit oil onto the throttle body, and this can make you fail an emissions test.

clean your throttle body, and try combustion chamber cleaner as well while you are at it.

HTH.
good luck!

 

Dman...
Cool, you passed! And with good numbers! I cant figure out why I failed LOL. And you bought a new Walker OEM cat? Seems to work great thou eh? Maybe I might have to do the same! Go Walker OEM, hahaha Prob safer bet than buying used from someone with a used OEM cat I suppose. Since you dont know the condition and mileage.
Well I just changed the oil tonight and bought a NGK oxygen sensor...so we'll see if I will pass. BTW, I just double checked the free flow cat and the guy installed a Catco general fit cat. Not a Random. I called Random anyways and they said that they make car specific models of cats...only if I had known.
What happend to my OEM original cat? It was beginning to rust/rot so I thought a free-flow cat was a good option, I should have done my research! And the muffler shop chucked the original cat away...I should have kept it!


Leo...
Thanks for the info. BTW, u know anyone selling a G2 cat? Hehehe

Owen...
Thanks for the info. I will pull off the intake tube and wipe it down with the throttle body.

 

Hey Guys,

I pulled out my spark plug wires and old spark plugs and noticed that there is a bit of oil deposit around the spark plug wire where it attaches to the spark plugs and also some oil around the white ceramic area down to the threading of the plugs. This seemed to happen to 2 of the 4 wires/plugs. It seems that it may be coming from where the valve cover meets the head (spark plug channels) there are rubber grommets for each of the 4 spark plug channels to seal it. I had the timing belt replaced 2 years ago and I believe the mechanic may have used the old grommets and used some black silicone sealant with it. I assume this is where the oil is gradually coming from and going down into the threads of the spark plug and thus into the cylinders. But the oil isnt leaking thru fast enough to foil the spark plugs and the old plugs look relatively clean.
Can this be why I am failing emissions with high CO readings? Due to the slow gradual oil leaking into the cylinders from 2/3 bad gromments which arent sealing perfectly?

 

that might have something to do with it too..

if all else fails, go to an auto shop in flushing and hit them up with a few extra bucks. they'll pass you.

 

http://www.oxygensensors.com has the 90/91 o2 oem style sensor for $28.99, or a universal one for 19.99

I failed my emissions test for CO and got a new o2 sensor and passed with flying colours.. (91 teg)

 

afzan,

What brand are the O2 sensors which they sell?
I just p/u a NGK oem fit for $55.

 

UPDATE...I went to another mechanic whom said that sometimes it may be the driver whom is not used to Hondas or driving manuals, and sure enough that had some to do with it, as my car passed emissions with this mechanic driving it on the dyno. But he did miss the emissions limits the first run, but I guess he knew how to drive it the second run which he passed. He said that it was partially the driver and maybe the aftermarket Catco general fit free flow cat I had also that I failed the first time I went to another mechanic (and the first mechanic I went to made 2 runs also...he failed emissions twice!).
So in summary, make sure the emissions station you go to has someone that knows how to drive manual trannys and imports! This maybe a hidden factor in failing some emissions inspections!
Thanks everyone for their inputs to this posting!