Failed Smog, HC(PPM), CO, NO (PPM) too high

[holden j caufield]

1992 Honda Prelude 2.3si



Luckily I saved my test from two years ago

Test from 06/2010 - only thing changed after the test was on 11/2011 the distributor, and a few screws on my gas tank (also had a stock filter on in 2010, 2012 I have KN reusable cone filter)


2010 test - pass

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m558/Holden_Caulfield1/2010smogtest2.jpg



2012 test - failed

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m558/Holden_Caulfield1/2012smogtest2.jpg


My 2012 results are so high compared to my 2010 tests. Any ideas, the guy says my timing looks off. Do I need to advance the timing on my car? Would that only fix one of those? Should I run any fuel cleaner or seafoam in the tank, suck some seafoam through the brake booster? Thanks for advice.

 

[leper84]

Do not do this:

Advance the shit out of your timing and put a gallon of denatured alcohol before the test.

/donotdothis

Your pics don't work. It could be anything from timing to a bad cat. Start off with the easy tune up stuff first- seafoam it, plugs/wires/cap/rotor, set your timing, adjust valve lash if it lets you, pcv valve. If you still fail after that you get to start checking for bigger issues. Though I can't see your pics I can tell you something as simple as too loose of valve lash can make you fail in a big way.

 

[holden j caufield]

Updated the pics, I think the mechanic set it too advanced when they put in the new distributor. I went ahead and loosen the distributor bolts and turned it left/counterclockwise. That should retard the timing a bit?

 

[MiataNC]

The tech doing the smog test should have taken a timing reading one way or the other. The only thing that will prevent him from getting an accurate read is if the harmonic balancer is slipping and the timing marks are no longer lined up (Assuming your cars timing is read at the balancer).

Overall your readings are pretty close to passing. You can most likely get by with just a couple of tweaks...

1. Get a timing light (or find someone with one) and set it right. - Incorrect timing can increase NO emissions readings.

2. Clean the EGR valve, ports and lines. - A partially plugged EGR system will cause high NO readings and still pass a functional test.

3. Change your oil. - Dirty oil can increase emissions. Since you are close to the limits an oil change could get you under the max.

4. Make sure your car is completely warmed up just before they run the test. - Catalytic convertors can get lazy. Especially on older high mileage cars. Drive the snot out of your car for 20-30 minutes before having it re-tested. Make sure the cat is as hot as possible when the test is run. Don't let your car sit and cool off before they test it.

 

[holden j caufield]

thx guys. will changing my plugs help my specific readings? I don't think I warmed up my car enough today. As the smog station was literally 5 min from my place.

 

[NutBucket]

Timing on Honda motors of that era is read off the flywheel/flex plate so no issues of the marks no longer being lined up.

AFAIK the tech is suppose to manually read timing when doing a smog check of a pre-OBDII car. You should also check it with a timing light first...14 or 17 degrees from TDC if I remember right.

You HC readings do lead me to think that the cat wasn't hot enough. Even sitting 10 minutes can allow it to cool off too much, especially in a older car as MiataNC mentioned. In fact, if the tech had revved it a bit and retested it might have passed the HC test with the added heat.