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Old Jul 17, 2003 | 01:20 PM
  #1  
DCresta's Avatar
DCresta
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Default Failed Emissions

Just picked up a 94 Prelude with 127K on it, and it just failed emissions inspection in Massachusetts.

Readings were;
HC 01.60 allowable limit 01.20 Failed
CO 007.17 allowable limit 020.00 passed
NOX 00.27 allowable limit 02.50 passed

Since it's running a little rich, I'm thinking of putting in new spark plugs, wires, and look for any loose or clogged vacumm lines.

Any other suggestions out there ?

DC
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 01:07 PM
  #2  
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ludeboom
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From: Long Island, NY
Default NYS inspection

does it burn oil?
HydroCarbons deposits are usually associated with oil consumtion
wow cant believe they failed you on that

do u use private places or is it state dmv run

u can always find some1 here in NY to do it for $50 if it wont pass.

main causes of inspection failure include

faulty O2 sensor
fouled CAT
loose or disconnected emissions control vacuum or elec.
cat not heated up to +600*

thats right if the CAT is not hotter than 600* it will not effectively do its job.
i always take my lude out on the highway up to 70-80 for a few miles and then straight to the inspection and its been workin for me

i had mine inspected on 5/11/03
i scored the following with my 93' h22a1 engine

HC:
me=0.58 limit=0.80

CO
me=11.68 limit=15.00

NOx
me=1.76 limit=2.00
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 01:14 PM
  #3  
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elbee
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From: Conn.
Default

Get the car good and hot before you go in and try to not idle excessively before they wave you in.

Replace plugs, air filter(stock)
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 03:27 PM
  #4  
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Pelka
::..Prelude..::
 
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From: Worcester, MA
Default

Get a air fuel ratio gauge see if your running rich... where in Mass are you from im from Worcester...
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Old Jul 19, 2003 | 05:47 AM
  #5  
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DCresta
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Default Failed Emmissions

Guys,
I must admit the car is for my son, but I'll be taking it for frequent spins, while helping him with the do's & don'ts on maintaining it. He won't mind since he'll get to use my '95 525.

ludeboom,
Mass uses private service stations, who choose to be licensed for state inspections.

As far as possible oil consumption, the car hasn't been driven all that much in the few days we've had it. It doesn't show signs of buring oil, at least not at an alarming rate, but we'll certainly keep a close eye on it, since it has high miles.

As far as just prior to the inspection, in retrospect, I did all the wrong things. We drove it right from the house to the station, less than two miles away. I guess I let my son's urgency to get all the legal stuff out of the way, so he could drive it around. I let it idle for at least 10+ minutes before it was waved-in. The thinking in idling it, was to get the Cat hot and keep it hot.

The night before, after driving it home from Plymouth to Billerica (Pelka, that's where we live), in which it drove fine and pretty strong. However, once in my garage, and starting to give it a better going-over, I notice the rubber air intake pipe between the air cleaner and intake manifild was loose at the intake manifold, like not connected. When casually looking at it, it looked like it was connected, but a closer examination, I was completely off. I connected it and tightened the clamp, and the air cleaner is new. The next morning after getting the plates, we went directly to the inspection station.

As far as the CAT, the kid we bought it from had a new manifold exhaust pipe put on, along with a new O2 sensor, but stopped short of the CAT. Visually looking at the CAT on the car, it looks pretty old, so I'm thinking it's only a matter of time, if not already time to replace it. A local parts store ( Advance Auto), that I go to a lot in maintaining the five cars in the family, sells a Maremont exact fit CAT for $109. Since the car isn't a Vtech, should this one be OK? (however if this were a Vtech, I think I would definately trade with my son. Although this is not the high performance 'lude, it's a lot of fun.

As far as clean spark, are these known to have the coil degrade signfincantly ? Also, should we stay way from any particular wires & plugs ?

DC
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