My 2001 Honda Civic failed the CA smog check... UPDATE: Need a cat-converter

[MrsBugi]

...at the 15mph level, the ppm for NO was 750, and the max allowable is 450 or so.

Is there any truth to the second reply to this question?

I had an oil change yesterday and will be going in for a second try tomorrow. If the "putting in premium fuel" and driving around on the highway to heat up the catalytic converter actually works, then I'll go in for my second try at the end of this week.

I'm really surprised it failed, since it passed last year without a problem.

EDIT: It failed the smog test again, so I took it in for a diagnostic today. I was told that I will need a new catalytic converter, and that the part isn't under warranty since it's a salvage vehicle. For the part, labor, and sparkplugs, I was quoted between $800-1200+ between different automotive repair shops. Is that the going rate for a cat converter+labor these days? Ouch!

 

[andylawcc]

did you go to the same smog check place?

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
did you go to the same smog check place?

No, a different one since I moved.

 

[Evadman]

Satchmo speaks the truth.

 

[olds]

When is the last time your husband tuned it up?

 

[d33pt]

when you smog a car, you need to drive it on the highway to get it really warmed up. don't just drive it from your house to the shop. for borderline cars, that'll make it fail. however for a 2001 civic, which is relatively new and should be a ULEV vehicle, there must be something wrong with it not to pass under any conditions. maybe a bad o2 sensor.

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
When is the last time your husband tuned it up?

He didn't know much about cars, I always handled my vehicle's maintenance myself - meaning, I took it in regularly for oil changes, etc.

 

[gsethi]

Also keep your car RUNNING while waiting at the smog check shop. Dont turn it off or let it cool.... Might want to keep it in idle and give it little gas every now and then to keep the engine/converter warm.

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: d33pt
when you smog a car, you need to drive it on the highway to get it really warmed up. don't just drive it from your house to the shop. for borderline cars, that'll make it fail. however for a 2001 civic, which is relatively new and should be a ULEV vehicle, there must be something wrong with it not to pass under any conditions. maybe a bad o2 sensor.

I'm surprised it failed too, since the car is only 6 years old. I replaced a bad o2 sensor a couple years back and it wasn't too bad, I just hope I don't have to replace anything really pricey like the catalytic converter. If I fail the second smog test, I'll take it in for a diagnostic. I can't wait to get rid of this car, sigh.

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: gsethi
Also keep your car RUNNING while waiting at the smog check shop. Dont turn it off or let it cool.... Might want to keep it in idle and give it little gas every now and then to keep the engine/converter warm.

Thanks for the tip. All I did the first time was drive the car to the shop and then let it sit for awhile (off) until it was my turn.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Just as a note, catalytic converters are covered by a federally mandated 8 year 80000 mile warranty.
If the cat-con is bad it should be replaced for free.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: andylawcc
did you go to the same smog check place?

No, a different one since I moved.

Be careful they're not trying to force you into repairs you don't need.

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Just as a note, catalytic converters are covered by a federally mandated 8 year 80000 mile warranty.
If the cat-con is bad it should be replaced for free.

I wasn't aware of this - excellent info, thank you CrackRabbit. :thumbsup: Does this still apply if I initially purchased it as a salvage vehicle?

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: andylawcc
did you go to the same smog check place?

No, a different one since I moved.

Be careful they're not trying to force you into repairs you don't need.

I went to a smog test-only station, which is the odd thing and why I don't think they'd purposely try to rip me off. If I needed any repairs, I'd have to have them done elsewhere.

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: gsethi
Also keep your car RUNNING while waiting at the smog check shop. Dont turn it off or let it cool.... Might want to keep it in idle and give it little gas every now and then to keep the engine/converter warm.

Thanks for the tip. All I did the first time was drive the car to the shop and then let it sit for awhile (off) until it was my turn.

Worst move ever when going for a smog test. Before going to the smog shop, take your car for a ride for ~10-15 min (You want to warm it up fully). Then when you reach the smog shop, let it run idle (main goal is to keep it warm at all times).

An oil change and premium fuel few days before the next smog will definately help. Dont put in premium fuel at the last fill up before smog and then go...fill up with premium fuel for atleast 4-5 fill ups before you go for smog.

No need for those cleaners or whatever else...just oil change + premium fuel + car warmed up should do the job. If not, then something is serious...maybe O2 sensor or Cat-converter needs replacement.

btw, is Check engine light on ?

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: andylawcc
did you go to the same smog check place?

No, a different one since I moved.

Be careful they're not trying to force you into repairs you don't need.

IIRC, in California, the smog test shop can only recommend repairs. They cannot do a test and then do the repairs on your car in the same shop (I think it is against the law to prevent such happenings).

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

I went to a smog test-only station, which is the odd thing and why I don't think they'd purposely try to rip me off. If I needed any repairs, I'd have to have them done elsewhere.

You should be ok, but they may be friends with a local mechanic and refer business over to them.

If you fail again, ask friends/family in the area if they have a reliable mechanic. Make sure to take it to more than one so you know if one place is trying to rip you off.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Just as a note, catalytic converters are covered by a federally mandated 8 year 80000 mile warranty.
If the cat-con is bad it should be replaced for free.

I wasn't aware of this - excellent info, thank you CrackRabbit. :thumbsup: Does this still apply if I initially purchased it as a salvage vehicle?

everything emisions related is covered for 80k or 8 years. That includes a bunch of sensors too, not just the cat.

Not sure on the salvage though.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Just as a note, catalytic converters are covered by a federally mandated 8 year 80000 mile warranty.
If the cat-con is bad it should be replaced for free.

I wasn't aware of this - excellent info, thank you CrackRabbit. :thumbsup: Does this still apply if I initially purchased it as a salvage vehicle?

everything emisions related is covered for 80k or 8 years. That includes a bunch of sensors too, not just the cat.

Not sure on the salvage though.

IIRC only the cat-con and engine control computer are covered for 8-80, other emission components are covered 5 years or 50000 miles.

I'm not sure if having a salvage title car will affect it.

 

[V00DOO]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Just as a note, catalytic converters are covered by a federally mandated 8 year 80000 mile warranty.
If the cat-con is bad it should be replaced for free.

I wasn't aware of this - excellent info, thank you CrackRabbit. :thumbsup: Does this still apply if I initially purchased it as a salvage vehicle?

The 8/80,000 for cats also apply to Salvaged title vehicles, but go luck getting the Honda dealer to replace them with the car throwing OBDII cat efficiency codes.

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: gsethi

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: gsethi
Also keep your car RUNNING while waiting at the smog check shop. Dont turn it off or let it cool.... Might want to keep it in idle and give it little gas every now and then to keep the engine/converter warm.

Thanks for the tip. All I did the first time was drive the car to the shop and then let it sit for awhile (off) until it was my turn.

Worst move ever when going for a smog test. Before going to the smog shop, take your car for a ride for ~10-15 min (You want to warm it up fully). Then when you reach the smog shop, let it run idle (main goal is to keep it warm at all times).

An oil change and premium fuel few days before the next smog will definately help. Dont put in premium fuel at the last fill up before smog and then go...fill up with premium fuel for atleast 4-5 fill ups before you go for smog.

No need for those cleaners or whatever else...just oil change + premium fuel + car warmed up should do the job. If not, then something is serious...maybe O2 sensor or Cat-converter needs replacement.

btw, is Check engine light on ?

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Originally posted by: andylawcc
did you go to the same smog check place?

No, a different one since I moved.

Be careful they're not trying to force you into repairs you don't need.

IIRC, in California, the smog test shop can only recommend repairs. They cannot do a test and then do the repairs on your car in the same shop (I think it is against the law to prevent such happenings).

I thought that is limited to "Test Only" smog stations?

 

[MrsBugi]

gsethi, thanks for the help. I'll bring my car back in for a retest next Friday or Saturday after filling up with premium fuel for the week (still premium, even though it's a civic?). I hope that'll do the trick, it'll be rough having to put up the funds for a new o2 sensor or cat-converter (that might run $400+ including installation? ouch!). My check engine light isn't on, but then again the lights on my car have been acting funny since I bought it (i.e. the SRS light on has never gone off since Day 1).

BigJ, definitely a possibility. I'm hoping it won't get to that point, and will ask around for a reliable mechanic if I fail again. Here's to passing the second time around!

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi
gsethi, thanks for the help. I'll bring my car back in for a retest next Friday or Saturday after filling up with premium fuel for the week (still premium, even though it's a civic?). I hope that'll do the trick, it'll be rough having to put up the funds for a new o2 sensor or cat-converter (that might run $400+ including installation? ouch!). My check engine light isn't on, but then again the lights on my car have been acting funny since I bought it (i.e. the SRS light on has never gone off since Day 1).

BigJ, definitely a possibility. I'm hoping it won't get to that point, and will ask around for a reliable mechanic if I fail again. Here's to passing the second time around!

You may want to get that SRS light looked into, your airbags may not be functioning...

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite

Originally posted by: MrsBugi
gsethi, thanks for the help. I'll bring my car back in for a retest next Friday or Saturday after filling up with premium fuel for the week (still premium, even though it's a civic?). I hope that'll do the trick, it'll be rough having to put up the funds for a new o2 sensor or cat-converter (that might run $400+ including installation? ouch!). My check engine light isn't on, but then again the lights on my car have been acting funny since I bought it (i.e. the SRS light on has never gone off since Day 1).

BigJ, definitely a possibility. I'm hoping it won't get to that point, and will ask around for a reliable mechanic if I fail again. Here's to passing the second time around!

You may want to get that SRS light looked into, your airbags may not be functioning...

Definitely. I've seen salvaged cars where the airbags were never replaced.

 

[nakedfrog]

It wants you to trade it for a VW Karmann Ghia convertible.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi
gsethi, thanks for the help. I'll bring my car back in for a retest next Friday or Saturday after filling up with premium fuel for the week (still premium, even though it's a civic?). I hope that'll do the trick, it'll be rough having to put up the funds for a new o2 sensor or cat-converter (that might run $400+ including installation? ouch!). My check engine light isn't on, but then again the lights on my car have been acting funny since I bought it (i.e. the SRS light on has never gone off since Day 1).

BigJ, definitely a possibility. I'm hoping it won't get to that point, and will ask around for a reliable mechanic if I fail again. Here's to passing the second time around!

i don't know if this is a cause to your smog issue, but both my sis and bro have 2001 civics and i notice they are prone to building carbon deposits and knocking if neglected.

The set of spark plugs I pulled out from both cars were also worn pretty bad, get a new set, it is $15 for that car. Get a new air filter also while you're at it. Don't waste money on another check without changing anything.

Finally like everyone else says, maybe run it hard before you get there so the exhaust/cat is hot.