97 Accord HC emissions reaching CA state limit - any tricks?

I live in California and just got my 97 Accord smogged (230K miles).
It passed, but barely. HC emissions for 15mph that was 57 with a
maximum allowed of 58
it did much better at 25mph 15/42
For now I am fine, however I will need to get it resmogged right
before I sell it in 6 months.

its way out.
At $800 with installation its not going to happen.
6 months from now when I need to resmog before sale, are there any
things I can do to help get the HC # just below the limit. (replace
air filter, injector cleaner, elevation of test facility etc.)?
Thanks

 

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At 230,000 MILES the cat doesn't owe anybody anything, but there are
always a few things you may have missed. I don't know much about
emissions, but have you ever checked your PCV, and do you keep your
coolant reservoir full to MAX? Both can mess up mixture / timing. If you
had access to an oscilloscope you could check both O2 sensors and
replace / clean whichever one is not performing well. Injector cleaner
might help too, as well as a fresh valve adjustment.

This is all assuming you've done a proper tune-up.

'Curly'

 

shouldnt cost 800 for a cat. You can just cut off the old one and get a
replacement for like 90 bucks. Then change your O2 sensors those are
the main reasons for having bad emissions tests. Other ways change your
oil, air filter spark plugs, and get a bottle of seafoam and run it
through your gas to clean out spark plugs. Depending on the brand of
each item other than the 7 dollar bottle of seafoam it could run you
between 120-200 dollars if you put on the cat yourself.

 

new plugs, plug leads, air filter, quality oil, and a good hard full
throttle run to burn the carbon clogging out of the system. beyond
that, you're into sensors and cats.

and don't forget, selling a car in ca without smog is not a practical
problem. it might affect your price a little, but you can still sell it
to a buyer that's ok with fixing it before registration.

 

And remember, don't smog test your car with a cold engine. Drive it for
at least 30 minutes before having it tested.


- Peter

 

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Here in Canada, the emission certificate is good for one year so a
second test would not be needed.

What is the expiry time limit on yours?

A clean air filter can do wonders for HC's also.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

 

Then your only choice is to unload that POS now while it can still
pass smog.

 

If the car is generally well tuned (timing belt, plugs, valve
clearance, gaskets, no vacuum leak), then oxygen sensors should help.
I fixed a P0420 catalytic converter efficiency below threshold problem
with high HC output with two Bosch planar oxygen sensors (~$75
universal type).

Of course, those who know, Honda recommends a new converter. But with
these P0420 showing up so early on some cars, I figured the cheap
Denso sensors were just junk and would stay away from them.

NTK sensors (a part of the NGK/NTK company)should also be fine. IMO
NGK makes excellent Iridium spark plugs.

The valve clearances usually become tight on some Hondas, so "adjust
only when noisy" really don't apply. You might want to check these too
if havent done so. Early exhaust valve openings might not help
either.

www.ngksparkplugs.com
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Products/OxygenSensors/PlanarO2.htm

 

| Here in Canada

I saw on tv : in 1-98 Canada had record cold, here in msia we
had record heat ( El Nino, air tmprtre reached 37°C ) during
1-98 to 3-98. These 2 unusual weathers look related.