Failed Smog Check

[Steve94civic]

Hi guys ,

I am the original owner of a 94 Honda Civic EX with the VTEC engine.
It has about 220,000 miles but I am not certain because the speedometer is broken.
I have gone to 2 different smog check places and both times it barely failed.
I'm driving around with no tags and incomplete registration.
Any suggestions on what I should do to make it pass ? I'm afraid to take it to another smog station because I think it will fail again and just be another waste of money.

--Steve

 

[SGGilmo]

any CELs? usually its a bad o2 that will do it.

 

[RonJ]

Post the emissions data sheet.

 

[Noodler]

no details so imma say do a routine tune up. oil change, spark plugs, cap and rotor, air filter, maybe even a new cat.

 

[onesiphorus]

i feel for you. I just went through the same thing. post your stats from the test and let us see what the problem is.
i did everything, complet tune-up and still failed, being in Califorina is a b***h some times. I just put a second cat on and passed with flying colors.
good luck.

 

[lotz6996]

if its got 220K and has the origional cat, it is probably bad.

 

[pls]

if its got 220K and has the origional cat, it is probably bad.

one of my civic has 235xxx miles w/stock cat and it still pass smog. my car his high mileage, but still runs strong

 

[Steve94civic]

I'm on the original Cat.
RonJ -- Emissions Test Failed. Everything else passed.

ASM Emission Test Results

Test 15MPH
RPM 1799

Under HC ( PPM )

Max 92
Ave 21
Meas 95 ( the smog technician highlighted this number, so I'm assuming this was the number that caused it to fail )
Everything else passed and 2 years ago when I did the smog check, it passed right away after 15 minutes.

What to do ? I haven't changed the plugs in about 30K miles...

 

[lotz6996]

one of my civic has 235xxx miles w/stock cat and it still pass smog. my car his high mileage, but still runs strong

mine had 195K and it went bad. not all cars wear equally.

 

[Noodler]

I'm on the original Cat.
RonJ -- Emissions Test Failed. Everything else passed.

ASM Emission Test Results

Test 15MPH
RPM 1799

Under HC ( PPM )

Max 92
Ave 21
Meas 95 ( the smog technician highlighted this number, so I'm assuming this was the number that caused it to fail )
Everything else passed and 2 years ago when I did the smog check, it passed right away after 15 minutes.

What to do ? I haven't changed the plugs in about 30K miles...

i have the same reason for fail! gsr swap though.

HC (PPM)
Max 60
Ave 9
Meas 76

why does a 94 have a higher max than a 2000 gsr?

HC is unburned fuel. Try checking your spark plugs and are you getting a CEL? I got a code 45 which is running rich/lean. I change the spark plugs but my car got rear ended and its sitting in a body shop right now so i couldnt test it again :[

well, since the smog tech didnt fail you for having a cel, im guessing you dont have one on.

 

[pls]

I'm on the original Cat.
RonJ -- Emissions Test Failed. Everything else passed.

ASM Emission Test Results

Test 15MPH
RPM 1799

Under HC ( PPM )

Max 92
Ave 21
Meas 95 ( the smog technician highlighted this number, so I'm assuming this was the number that caused it to fail )
Everything else passed and 2 years ago when I did the smog check, it passed right away after 15 minutes.

What to do ? I haven't changed the plugs in about 30K miles...

i believe its your cat. replace your cat. it looks like your were just shy of passing the test..

 

[RonJ]

As mentioned, you don't have any CEL codes, right?

The HC (hydrocarbons = unburned fuel) levels are just a tad too high. If you replace the spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor and adjust the ignition timing, then I think that you'll pass emissions. If the cap and rotor are not too old, then it may be sufficient to simply clean the contact points with some sand paper.

 

[Steve94civic]

Ron J -- I replaced the CAT and replaced the spark plugs along with an oil change and the car passed easily.
Note: I qualified for the Consumer Assistance Program and had to make a $20 co-payment for repairs. That program is such a scam !! The program allows for up to $500 in free repairs to your car.
Get this-- The smog test repair center I was designated to have the repair work done charged $709.56 for diagnostic testing and to replace the catalytic converter !!
The government kicked in $500 and I still had to kick in $209.56 out of my own pocket.
The smog technician told me I was only getting 10% output from my old original CAT. I do not notice a difference and the car does not seem to be running any better, but at least I passed the smog test.