Hi all,

I took my 96 civic ex (d16y8 engine) in for a smog check today and it had one bad result on the NO reading @ 490 at lower rpms, but ok at higher rpms, and all the other readings like HC, CO are all well below the average. I have already tuned up the car by changing the air filter, spark plug and wires, cleaned cap/rotor (replaced not too long ago), changed oil/oil filter/pcv valve.

Checked timing.

Right before the test I filled it up with Shell 91 high octane gas and added a bottle of Chevron fuel injector cleaner.

What could I have done to lower the NO reading? I don't know what else to fix/replace....

I live in California, where they just started an 'enhanced' smog check procedure not too long ago that is more demanding than the previous one...

Thanks for any ideas...

civicfan8 in the San Francisco Bay Area...

 

its pretty simple.i live in calif too in napa. just go to the places were they havent/wont update there gear.places that do not need a dyno reading to pass.
stay away from express smog.they tried to fail me because of my gas cap. any ways there not to hard to spot.just ask to see the test spot and look for the rollers.if they dont have em your good to go.i know your asking how to fix it but this is another solution for you.

 

Thanks for the reply. I thought smog stations are all required by law to update everything for this new smog stuff....I'll go and take a peek at some other stations perhaps at some remote parts of the bay area.....

Thanks again...

 

oh i forgot to ask.did you buy you car in sf? because if you did you are going to have have a harder time because the city has a higher smog law than little towns. my sis bought her car in sacramento and has to go there to get it smogged by the citys standards. good luck

 

20 dollars in the guy's pocket out back will get you through most of the time.

 

I did some reading and basically for fixing high NOX reading it has been suggested to check/replace the EGR valve , then catalytic converter. But according to the service manual, the d16y8 engine does not use an EGR system. So my best bet is to replace the catalytic converter? How long is the lifespan of the converter....mine is original with 230k miles ......and how can you tell for sure this is the one to replace?

If this is the one to be replaced, this has to be taken to an exhaust shop and have them weld off/on the converter? I have not paid much attention to it while changing oil in the past years, so didn't really check whether it's bolted on or welded...

Thanks for your valuable info...

 

I would say yes that it is time for a new cat, you can do it yourself or have an exhaust shop take care of it for you.

 

do not do it yourself there is some nasty ass shit in there you don want to breath in.

 

Face mask owns joo

 

that is the most retarded thing I have ever heard....jack your car up...undo bolts from B pipe and header....place dust mask over mouth and nose if you are really all that worried about it....remove cat.......I just dropped the rear section pipe unbolted the cat from the header and then hit the old cat with a hammer to get it lose.