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It’s a 1992 Honda Civic DX 1.5L 4-Door – D15B7 Engine. Odometer reads about 150,000, but that’s not accurate. No idea of the true mileage. This model has no EGR system as far as I know.
I’ve done basic maintenance like an oil change, transmission fluid change, spark plugs and wires (didn’t replace cap and rotor because I’m cheap), and the air filter. Good thing to note, one of the old spark plugs was cracked where the white part is.
Those smog results are after basically just changing the O2 sensor and PCV valve. I was hoping the O2 would do the trick, and of course, I’m an idiot. Changed spark plugs after that test you see there. So maybe the broken spark plug could have something to do with something.
I’ve put in a new oxygen sensor, PCV valve (grommet was really dirty. Should I replace that as well? I tried to clean it out with a few q-tips.), fuel filter, thermostat, radiator drain and fill, and I put a new exhaust gasket in after the cat because it was leaking, but I don’t know if that matters since it’s after the catalytic converter.
I actually failed twice. I have no idea what I’m doing. The first time around the O2 levels on the smog test were .9 and .8. Second time around with some new parts, I think it was the O2 sensor that changed this reading, the second smog check showed the O2 at 2.8 and 3.0. And the CO2 levels went down about 2%. HC, CO, and COx got worse the second time, lol. Ignition timing was at 18BTDC at that time, and hopefully I adjusted it correctly now to 14-16.
I actually also tried pouring in a bottle of CRC Guaranteed to Pass. Burned it off and put in new 91 Chevron. I’m sure it’s helped some people, but didn’t help me and I still failed the 2nd smog test. Also not sure if 91 gas helps either. But hey I was desperate, and it was worth a shot, and now I’ve learned my lesson, lol.
-Compression test w/o foot on pedal: 165, 160, 162, 161
-Vacuum Gauge test: 19 in. Hg
-Adjusted timing from 10BTDC (which is what it was when I bought it a week ago) to now around 14-16BTDC. 16 is spec I think.
-Tested the catalytic converter with an infrared thermometer. Results unsure. When just idling, it seemed like the outlet was 30 degrees F cooler. After warming up and with the car revving with a stick on the gas, it seemed like the outlet was much hotter than the inlet. I can’t remember the exact numbers.I did something strange. Water de-carbonizing? I removed the vacuum line from the brake booster to the intake? And I sprayed boiling hot distilled water very very slowly into there, reconnected the vacuum gauge and would wait inbetween more sprays. Motor oil is watery now, but I’m not sure if it was because of this or if I have a coolant leak or what have you. Is it imperative that I change the oil right away, or can I wait after other testing and repairs? I plan on doing the same thing but with Seafoam this time.
The car spews so much white smoke during warm up, but after it warms up, it stops, and blows clear as day. It is 30-50 degrees F here.
My ECT connector had electrical tape around it, one that came apart, and I saw green corrosion. So I snipped it off and tried testing it with a crappy ohmmeter. Just the leads touching each other it shows 1.3. Shows maybe 1.5 on both wires in the ECT connector. Was hoping it was just corrosion but it seems like maybe the wires are fine. Haven’t checked the actual ECT sensor.
I tried, hilariously to find vacuum leaks. I basically just sprayed carburetor cleaner all over everything under the hood, lol. Results un-conclusive.
Tried to find exhaust leaks too put putting a rag in the tailpipe. Only smoke I saw coming out was the gasket after the cat. So it was $4, out of desperation of trying anything, I replaced it, no idea if it matters.
I’m planning on taking off my cat and putting it in soapy water overnight. Saw Scotty Kilmer do it on Youtube. The cat might have a tiny tiny rattle in it, I’m not sure. It is so expensive, so please don’t break my heart with things like the truth.
Thank you Eric. Your videos have been amazing. University of ETCG. You could train a group of super soldiers, who fight crimes against cars all over the world, and specialize in secret CIA missions where a master mechanic is needed. I would attend that elite university. Or you could make a TV show out of it, and have challenges, and people voted off, lol. Put it on YouTube, who needs television anymore. That would be cool. I’m quite serious, lol.
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Someone on another forum said that my car, without question, without question, unambiguously, is running rich. And the very high O2 reading of 3% is probably due to an exhaust leak he said. At that time, my O2 sensor wasn’t seated properly and all the way in. I think that’s what caused the leak. And he said just change the cat. I trust this man, though I don’t know him at all. He speaks with such certainty, lol. I think that’s the next step for me, getting a new cat. Or a kitten. I’m still going to do tests and things here and there in the meantime.
It’s possible that he would have an exahust leak, but I am not certian of that unless he has two o2 sensors and I don’t know if he does or not. I am saying that because I am not sure if pre OBDII has dual o2 sensors like OBDII does. I would think an exahust leak would be kinda simple to spot…just look for any hole in the pipeing. But it is possible.
My car only has 1 oxygen sensor in the exhaust manifold. It was definitely not screwed in tight when that smog test was taken. It’s in tight now. I’m almost certain that’s what caused the high oxygen readings.
one way to find out if you have a working cat is this…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VZ5K8n5jj0
Hope this helps!
Yeah at idle, the outlet is about 30 degrees F cooler than the inlet. At 3,000 RPM or so, the outlet was much hotter than the inlet, maybe 100-200 degrees F hotter. I don’t remember the exact numbers and I might do the test again. Still have no idea whether the cat is bad or not, and I don’t want to guess at it and replace something so expensive.
Someone posted the video before I had the chance. After you check your tune up stuff I would look to the cat. Also, don’t mess with the ignition timing, you don’t want to go there. Be sure you set it correctly as you often have to short the connector under the dash in order to properly set timing. Mess with timing too much and you’ll defiantly have an emissions issue.
Keep us posted on your findings.
[quote=”AaronMartinSole” post=45602]
I got a weird spark plug pattern. Pulled the plugs today to do the valve adjustment (took a long time but great success!) and one plug was clear white, one was all black, and the other two were a little black only on one side. Who knows. Maybe I should do a spark test, because I read that you can tell a lot from the frequency and all of that of the spark.
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Had a 92′ 4dr. Honda Civic EX also. It had 300,000 miles or more on it and wouldn’t pass smog. I did a whole bunch of stuff to it and it also wouldn’t pass. The tune up included new spark plugs. In the end I gave up and dropped the car at dad’s and bought another used Honda civic. Dad, being retired thought he’d give it a shot. He changed the plugs again. Fixed some leaky hoses and it passed.
The new plugs were defective. Its rare. And it was the second time I had bought faulty plugs. They were NGK. Yes I opted for the cheapos. haha.
Check for spark even though you have new plugs. If one of the plugs is too clean, you may not be getting spark. Also pull off the distributor cap and use emery cloth or fine sand paper to sand down the needle as well as the points on the inner distributor.
I even tried using the ‘denatured alcohol’ trick, it brought down my HC to zero. The smog tech had a curious look to his face. My other numbers failed though. I passed the 4th test after a SECOND set of new plugs. I wouldn’t suggest alcohol either. Its bad for the rubber in the fuel lines and seals.
good luck on your next test!
Thanks very much for that detailed update. As to your suggestion about my life story, to be honest I don’t like to talk about me all that much outside of sharing my experiences. That said there is quite a bit that I wrote on the About page of this website if you’re interested. As for your other suggestions I appreciate them and will take them under consideration. Thanks again for the update.
High NOx numbers mean detonation from a lean condition, Nitrogen only reacts chemically in the cylinder if it is over 2500 degrees in there, and temperatures in the combustion chamber go high if there is not enough fuel, or too much air.
Got a Magnaflow carb legal CAT: 36304 – universal for about $140 shipped.
Just passed today about an hour ago with flying colors!
Mechanic had an odd way of testing the cat, apparently it’s Honda’s procedure to have the car crank for 15 seconds, with the fuel working and dumping loads of gas into the cylinders (I saw 30,000 ppm I think of HC), quickly taking off the distributor cap, and then jumping some lead to the little spring inside there. Something like that. And I think the CO2 or something was supposed to be at a certain level and it was not. Catalytic converter condemned. Of course, it’s so much better and easier with OBDII and mode 6 and stuff like that. Kind of crude and crass and old school, but it gets the job done.
Man, the tailpipe smells so fresh now. I feel like hooking up an oxygen mask up to that thing! It’s like breathing a soft green meadow! (just kidding. don’t anyone do this. you will fall asleep and you will die.)
Man, when I passed I was exuberant and in shock. Didn’t want to get my hopes up. And I didn’t even barely pass, I passed with flying colors. Man, it feels good. I like catalytic converters. I love everything about them. I love smog repair. I love being able to breathe outside. I like seeing the numbers improve on those sheets. I wonder about performance driven motoring enthusiasts. Why modify your car to add horsepower if you don’t run it on the dyno and know how much more horsepower you’re actually getting? For instance, I read somewhere where they performed tests and a straight pipe adds so so little horsepower, I think it was around 1 or 2%, over a catalytic converter. I love fuel economy, but I wouldn’t enjoy it half as much if I didn’t know my real numbers, and see real improvements. But anyway, I am really happy and really pleased. Smogging is one rollercoaster of an experience, from anguish to hopelessness to anger to suspense, to absolute surprise and joy. Makes it all worthwhile. Feels good.
it could be carbon biuld up.did you put a can of sea foam
in the gas tank? run a can through the tank and take it out
for a spirited run.
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