I just got back from the Air Team facility in Illinois and I failed the emissions. The HC levels were too high at a .95. The limit is a .80. How do these guys test your cars, cause he stayed in second gear the whole time and I swear was redlining the shit out of it! Why wouldn't he shift to third or fourth? I thought my car was going to die! Did this shit head realize that it's not an automatic??!! It passed everything else but the HC. The only thing done to the car is advanced timing, and air resonators removed. Everything else as far as I know is factory, including the cat. I did a tune up in august with fresh plugs, cap, rotor, and wires. I'm not leaking any fluids. The car (1991) has 131,000 miles on it, and the only thing I can think of, is that I noticed a little oil in the #1 spark plug opening covering the top of the plug. Can you guys please give me some help/answers, I have until Feb to remedy the problem.

Thanks in advance.

Not to sure but maybe lowering your timing back to 15 degrees. Does high hc's mean running too rich? If so then I would check your o2 sensor.

Later,
Mike

I WAS JUST ADVISED OUR O2 SENSORS ARE LIKE $100 !!!! yikes!!

I would say haul ass before the test to get all the crap out of there. Like 100mph or so. I hope you pass the next time. Good -luck!!! Put that timing back too. Maybe that will do it. All these SR20s have a mind of their own. No two are alike. :cool:

also check your cat and hold it up to the light, you should be able to see like a blurry circle of light through it. also check that your egrc-bpt valve has vacuum pull the hose connected directly under it. these where the problems found the last time i smogged my car. hope it helps

Originally posted by SmoothDaddyFig
I WAS JUST ADVISED OUR O2 SENSORS ARE LIKE $100 !!!! yikes!!



Bosch part # 13039 - $70 at Pep Boys, cheaper on line (like $62). 3 wire O2 - fits the classics and maybe the 200 SX SERs also.

This topic was disscussed a few weeks ago on the se-r mailing list. Some guy took a bottle of Alcohol and poured it in the tank and passed. I have heard other people do this and pass. Check the SE-R mailing list archives and type in (Emmisions test).


darren

I suspect the O2 sensor. I don't know how the SR20 works it, but generally, if the sensor goes out, the engine will go into a default mode that is rich. This garuntees the safety of the engine. The result should be a high HC count like you have. I doubt the advanced timing is hurting. If I'm thinking about this correctly, when the timing is advanced, the spark fires early (***...advanced ingintion timing...). I would think that this would give the gas more time to burn and hopefully lower unburned HC count. Does that sound right?

I picked up a Bosch O2 sensor for I believe $62 at Autozone 2 years ago.

Edit: How's your mileage? I bet it's pretty crappy. Should be in the 28-32 mpg range on the highway if all's well.

I think you guys are right. You're probably not going to believe this, but last time I filled up I got only 15.7 mpg!!! I rarely even take it over 4.5k rpms. I checked the AIV and the EGR and they seem to function properly, but I will have to check the O2 sensor. I never even thought about it cause there have been no check engine lights. Does self checking it with the ECU really work, or should I just replace it? How can I check the cat without causing damage cause the bolts are rusted to hell? Thanks

it might not display a check engine light, seeing how your car is OBD-1..

am i right?

Well figured i would throw $.02 worth in on O2 sensors....

Most times O2 sensors will not go bad ut rather deteriorate. It is recommended by most vehicle manufacturers tht ou replace the O2 sensor afer 60000 miles.

Usually what you will find before an O2 sensor code in the computer or a MIL (malfunction Indicator Lamp) is that your gas mileage has decreased and possibly a drop in perforance.

High HC count means you are getting unburned fuel through the system.

High NOx means that timing is off or EGR system is not functioning properly

I can't remember off the top of my head what causes high CO count but i thin it is the Catalytic converter going bad.

Swap out that O2 sensor and see what happens.
Rick

Before you go blowing $100+ on an o2 sensor, turn back your timing. My car failed, i put the timing at 14, and it passed no problem.

If you still fail after that, then look into the EGR system, along with the cat and the o2 sensor....

Well....with my recent experience in the High NOx department and just reading through the se-r.net archives, I can give you a few ideas:

With Mileage like that, definitely try changing you O2 sensor. I'd also suggest, buying a time gun. That'll probably total around 100 bucks. That's the boat I'm in. My mileage has gone from around 35 on the highway to about 22. I'm virtually positive that's the O2. I will be changing the plugs too. Just *** it's about time, and they may give a little better performance. If that still doesn't work, bump the timing down to 13. Everyone seems to have very good results with that fix.

Hope it works. I'll be informing people on my situation in a bit as well...

Get some of that stuff they sell at autozone. Dump it in your tank and follow the instructions.Got my 92 to pass two years ago failed before I used it.Dropped all my numbers way down.Can't remember what it is called check the fuel additive area.