Emissions Testing Results

[Bob_Roller]

Just had my '91 Honda Civic CRX emissions tested today, as part of the 2 year registration process .

The emissions levels are within applicable standards, but they are creeping up, the carbon monoxide level is 80% of the allowable standard, about twice the level of 4 years ago .

Any ideas on what is wearing out, or in need of replacement ?

The rotor, cap and plugs were replaced last year, the air filter 2,000 miles ago, the ignition leads are 7 years old, and most likely in need of replacement .

Car has 108,000 miles (174,000 km.) on it .

[montmil]

O2 sensor, catalytic converter, the afore mentioned plug wires including the coil wire, any cold start relay/s... Just off the top of my head.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Most likely the catalytic converter is a big part of the difference, plus other items in Monte's list.    Weaker spark, slightly looser/lower compression in the pistons -> less complete burning and more stuff going down the pipe for the catalytic converter to try to deal with, and their efficiency drops off as the baffles either plug of the catalyst is covered over with exhaust by products.  

I had a head gasket start to leak coolant into a cylinder on my Chevy Monte Carlo - that catalytic converter was dead and clogged before I had 60K miles on it.  

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Definitely the cat converter.  It's probably done all the good it's going to do so time to replace that platinum lined rascal for your 18 year old car.  And only 108k on it?  You only drive that little guy 500 miles a month?  That car will last forever.

Hey Bob, if the headliner begins to fall down do what Monte "call me Scrooge McDuck" Miller did to his Ford F150.  He thumbtacked the headliner back up with about 50 cardboard beer coasters.  Looks pretty good too.

[montmil]

[Ed Miller]

Bob, it's probably time to sell that car to somebody who doesn't have to put it through emissions testing.  For the right price I might consider it....    I just did my valve adjustments on mine last Sunday:  260,000 miles.  They never seem to change more than .001".

If the CO level is going up I bet it does have something to do with the oxygen sensor.  If I remember I'll dig out my manual and see if that is discussed in the trouble shooting flow charts.

[Bob_Roller]

The Honda factory manual, isn't real helpful, it's mostly full of fault codes from a check engine light, but it kind of points toward the catalytic converter, as all of the emissions levels are elevated .

The car doesn't get a lot of usage, last year, if it wasn't for the 4200 miles I put on it during my month long vacation on two road trips, the car would have only had 1800 miles of use .

Just checked the cost of the catalytic converter, $527US .

[montmil]

... kind of points toward the catalytic converter, as all of the emissions levels are elevated ... Just checked the cost of the catalytic converter, $527US .

Only $527.00? Ou vey, such a deal!

At almost 98,000 miles, my wife's previous Cadillac Deville required a new catalytic converter. Dealer cost was $2500.00. Our shop found a rebuilt and warrantied replacement for only $1487.00. We did recover much of the cost when we traded up six months later.

I love my 23 year-old Cabriolet  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Monte

[Lucky_Lou]

Ive just had to replace the O2 sensor on my 2001 Accord with a mere 60k miles first major expense since i bought it....400 quid with a full service  ouch!! but ive had it from new and im not parting with it just yet i would be more worrid by montes emissions judging by the beer mat fetish!!!
Lou [smiley=drowning.gif] [smiley=drowning.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

Just had the '02 R1150R emissions tested, unburned hydrocarbons are .01% of the allowable standard, and carbon monoxide is .02% of the allowable standard .

Definitely a lot cleaner than the CRX .

[k_enn]

Hve any of you guys with falure of emission related components (cats, O2 sensors, etc) with less than 100,000 miles ever pushed to have it taken care of under warranty?   What result?   I always thought that all vehicles sold in the US had to be warrantied to meet emission standards through at least 100,000 miles.   I have heard of a few guys with Xterras (my daily driver) having been successful in having cracked exhaust manifolds replaced under warranty after they pressed the issue.  

k_enn

[Bob_Roller]

The emissions warranty is for 5 years from date of purchase, for a time frame, I'm not so sure about mileage limits .