I went to the smog place today to try to pass, and I failed again. Luckily this time I had a coupon where I don't have to pay if I don't pass.

Here are the readings:

%CO2 %02
MEAS MEAS
13.8 0.0
13.5 0.0

HC (PPM)
MAX AVE MEAS
147 31 87
122 20 94

CO (%)
MAX AVE MEAS
0.88 0.10 1.09
0.78 0.09 1.50

NO(PPM)
MAX AVE MEAS
889 237 47
828 199 53

So, I failed the CO (%) part. I have recently changed the fuel filter, oil, spark plugs, new OEM O2 sensor, used coolant temp sensor that was causing the idle to fluctuate, new catylitic converter. 10,000 miles ago I put on new spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor. I just set the timing a month ago and it idles smooth. When I changed the spark plugs there was some oil on two of the plugs.

I think that I may be running rich. This CRX gets much worse gas mileage than my other CRX. If I am running rich, what can I do or check to make it run leaner to pass smog and get better fuel economy? Or could something else cause the CO (%) to be so high? Thanks...

 

Check your timing and make sure that the timing was not adjusted from the cam side throwing off your actual markings. It was mentioned somewhere before that people have adjusted from the cam on a ZC head swap and this might be a similar case.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RSZero1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Check your timing and make sure that the timing was not adjusted from the cam side throwing off your actual markings. It was mentioned somewhere before that people have adjusted from the cam on a ZC head swap and this might be a similar case.</TD></TR></TABLE>
that and you might want to think about a new catalitic converter sense your hydro carbons were a little off.

 

it has a brand new cat. And the timing is good. Even the smog tech said the timing was perfect when he checked it.

 

Are you using a gasoline additive such as pass or don't pay? This brought down my CO by a couple magnitudes

 

I added lucas (i think it was called) fuel additive to a couple of tanks of gas.

Then before the test I bought an additive called "pass smog for dummies". I followed the instructions of adding it to a full tank of gas, drive it until the tank is 1/4 empty, then fill the tank up.

The day of the test I warmed up the car by driving for 45 minutes. Then I didn't turn off the engine while waiting to be tested.

 

Try these:
1. Replace spark plugs with 2 degree HOTTER plugs.
2. Retard timing to the lowest spec.
3. Use fresh Chevorn gas (fill up the tank and run it down and fill up again befor
testing)
4. change engine oil with thickest grade.
5. Mix the gas with one of those aditive as mention above.
6. Run the car for couple of hours befor the test and don't shut it off.
7. Put back your stock exhaust system if you currently have an after market on.
8. Last but not least....GOOD LUCK

 

And just take the time to replace your rings already.....Jeez.

 

Ok thanks for the recommendations. I have been using Chevron gas, but i'll retard the timing, and try different plugs and oil.

So do you think replacing the rings will help it pass smog?

One thing to note is that when I failed the first test on 5/20/06 the CO% was very low, and I failed for having high NO.

CO%
MAX AVE MEAS
0.76 0.10 0.01
0.65 0.09 0.00

NO%
MAX AVE MEAS
807 237 1040
746 199 1365

Then I let the car sit for 4 months (I occansionally started the engine) while I was replacing the suspension, putting in power windows, installing a new cat and 02 sensor, etc. So I think the new cat helped with the high NO numbers.

But maybe not driving the car for 4 months affected the CO%? (There was oil already on two spark plugs when I failed smog in 05/20/06)

 

<u><FONT COLOR="red">BUMP THIS POST!</FONT></u>

Try using the <u><FONT COLOR="red">SEARCH</FONT></u> function next time<FONT COLOR="red">!</FONT>

Yes, the <FONT COLOR="red">B20</FONT> is a truck motor, yes, it is an illegal swap. Conventional wisdom would agree with you, however, we use propane gas to pass any engine swap in any car. There are legal ways to smog a <FONT COLOR="red">B20</FONT>. Read on......

Illegal <FONT COLOR="red">B20</FONT> swap + propane gas <FONT COLOR="red">=</FONT> Alternative Fueled Emissions compliant engine swap. Alternative fuel is the key word here, forget the motor swap, with Alternative fuel, it is all about making the swap run clean. Even if the engine swap is a turbo GSR, Standalone with ITB's, once it is run on propane, all the performance mods are now legal because you can argue that the GSR, turbo, Standalone and ITB's are needed to take advantage of propane's 110 octane rating. This is cutting edge here, just because this is a loophole that is not commonly used, doesn't mean that it is BS.

Keep in mind that, once you remove the propane and re-tune your setup to run on 91 octane pump gas, you are no longer <FONT COLOR="red">100%</FONT> legal, but wait, there's more.... here is the good part.... the BAR referee sticker in your engine compartment doesn't specify fuel. So, when Johnny law does pull you over, all they do is scratch their heads and wonder how you BAR ref'd a turbo GSR, Standalone with ITB's....

Besides BAR reffing your engine swap there is another interesting loophole that keeps Johnny Law off your back, it is called smog exemption, this exemption is a one time emissions test on propane that certifies your vehicle as an Alternative fueled vehicle and smog exempts the vehicle <u><FONT COLOR="red">FOREVER</FONT></u>, with smog exemption, you will <u><FONT COLOR="red">NEVER</FONT></u> have to smog your vehicle ever again, even when you sell it. Smog exemption is a legal loophole that smog exempts your vehicle forever, no more fooling around with shady emissions shops.

If you look hard enough, there are legal loopholes for everything. Laws, mandates, regulations and government protocols are written by attorneys with legal loopholes and/ oversights written in, that allow everyday citizens to drive, smog, register and import any vehicle ever made on the face of this planet.

For the record, smog exemption, carb exemption, and BAR reffing are 3 completely different processes, these terms cannot be interchanged. BAR reffing, by far, is the most difficult and useless certification. Smog and Carb exemption are far better than a BAR ref'd swap because a BAR ref'd swap still must undergo strict emissions testing, while the smog/carb exempted vehicle doesn't. Also, Johnny Law can ref ticket a Bar ref'd car, but not a carb exempted car. The simple definition of a carb exempted car is a car that is exempted from all carb emissions mandates. Basically, local law enforcement can pop your hood, but, because the vehicle is both smog/carb exempt, it is therefore emissions compliant regardless of what turbo
<FONT COLOR="red">k20</FONT>, GSR or <FONT COLOR="red">b18</FONT> engine swap you may have, a smog/carb exempted car can legally drive around with a fully built turbo GSR with no emissions controls, and never get a referee ticket.

You gotta pay <FONT COLOR="green">$$$$$$$$</FONT> to play.......

<u><FONT COLOR="red">BUMP THIS POST!</FONT></u>


Modified by hazw8st at 8:18 AM 12/30/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CW-ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try these:
1. Replace spark plugs with 2 degree HOTTER plugs.
2. Retard timing to the lowest spec.
3. Use fresh Chevorn gas (fill up the tank and run it down and fill up again befor
testing)
4. change engine oil with thickest grade.
5. Mix the gas with one of those aditive as mention above.
6. Run the car for couple of hours befor the test and don't shut it off.
7. Put back your stock exhaust system if you currently have an after market on.
8. Last but not least....GOOD LUCK </TD></TR></TABLE>


sound advice.

 

try this one, while ur waiting for ur turn to smog stay in ur car and rev it at 3K this will ensure that ur cat stays hot! cuz if u just let it idle the cat tends to cool down a bit. that and before u refill ur gas tank u should add octane boost. another thing that worked for me was i used the "Guarenteed To Pass" by CRC i work at a kragens n it only costs about $7.00 try that n lemme kno how things go for u. one of my mechanics teachers told me that he over inflates his tires by a few psi, he told me that it helps by lowering the amount of drag on the vehicle and allowing it to ride smoother. keep me posted.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crx_si-r &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try this one, one of my mechanics teachers told me that he over inflates his tires by a few psi, he told me that it helps by lowering the amount of drag on the vehicle and allowing it to ride smoother. keep me posted.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow! I'll give it a try, but I am a bit skeptical, sounds like the tires idea is only a bunch of hot air!

 

I just got a mailer from the Honda dealer. In it they have a "Fuel Efficiency Service" special for $138.88.

This is what it says:

"With gas prices what they are you need to ensure your car is running at optimal performance. We will perform a fuel induction system cleaning and run an emissions system diagnostic to check for any codes that may keep your engine from running at the highest fuel efficiency."

Do you think this is worth it, or is a "fuel induction system cleaning" the same as using Seafoam myself?

 

Man I hear ya bro, I didn't pass smog either and I'm pretty much stock with header/intake. I had bought a brand new cat too, the smog guy said next time I should try to buy one of the biggest cats I can find, but the freaking things dont fit under our cars dammit!

I'm trying seafoam, I just bought it from autozone for like seven bucks. If you try it let us know if it helps you pass, its supposed to clean up the carbon deposits.

I hope you pass man.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by oakpwr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Man I hear ya bro, I hope you pass man.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<FONT COLOR="red"> X2...</FONT>

 

give up man its your only hope

j/k good luck man

 

yea bro im having the same problem i cant make my crx pass smog i work at honda and the smog tech there said that i should use a 99 accord cat it will make it pass im goin to smog it on tues.. if u make ur car pass smog let me know what u did good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 775rex89si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">give up man its your only hope... good luck man </TD></TR></TABLE>

Good luck dude!

 

check Fuel pressure and PCV valve. make sure you have a thermostat intalled, (alot of people take them off)

 

heres my thread and believe me my scores where out the roof..... https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1668088

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SIred91 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And just take the time to replace your rings already....</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FuNkDrSpOt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><FONT COLOR="red">100%</FONT> no, you can't pass legally....
You're forced from this point on to pay extra <FONT COLOR="green">$$$$</FONT> for smog tests....</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

CO is poor combustion.

Bad/old gas will raise the CO. (Been sitting for four months)
Additives, I would stay away from them all.
O2 sensor might be bad if you haven't replaced it yet.
Run 87 octane, ignites and burns easier.
Rings will not fail you unless you have low compression numbers, Low compression can contribute to CO as the gas is not burning completely.
You are a little high in the HC's could be a misfire or A/F ratio (O2 sensor)
I have an 88 crx si too, I am not just a smogman. I run 76 unocal.

 

So, I tried Seafoam over the weekend. I put a 1/4 of the can in the brake booster vacuum hose, 1/4 of the can in the crankcase, and 1/2 the can in the gas tank. Then I drove it for 8 miles. A little bit of smoke came out the exhaust. Then I changed the oil and filter. I looked like the Seafoam did something, as the oil as a little dark. I put in 20W-50 oil and replaced the sparkplugs with Bosch platinum 4. So then I drove the car for 120 miles yesterday and then went to try to pass smog again.

I failed again. Here are the results.

%CO2 %02
MEAS MEAS
14.4 0.4
13.9 0.1

HC (PPM)
MAX AVE MEAS
147 31 52
122 20 92

CO (%)
MAX AVE MEAS
0.88 0.10 0.53
0.78 0.09 1.25

NO(PPM)
MAX AVE MEAS
889 237 37
828 199 59

So I failed on the CO% for 25 mph, but passed for 15 mph.

I talked to the smog tech a while and told him everything I tried. He seemed to think my o2 sensor must be bad. But then I told him I just replaced it with a $150 OEM Honda one. He still thinks it is bad, and suggests trying another. I get a free retest there, so maybe I will just swap the O2 sensors in my two 88 CRXs.

I keep thinking about the Cat too. It is new, but a cheap autozone one. I wonder if I should try another better aftermarket brand or a bigger one.

I wonder, maybe something is seriously wrong with my engine. It seems odd though, as I only have 126,000 original miles on the car and it is really mint otherwise.

 

FPR----PCV----Valve adjustment…….