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.
>From these readings it seems like the Catalytic Converter may be on
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

wrote:
> 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.
>>From these readings it seems like the Catalytic Converter may be on
> 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
>

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.

jim beam wrote:
> wrote:
>> 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.
>>> From these readings it seems like the Catalytic Converter may be on
>> 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
>>
>
> 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

On Sep 15, 8:10 pm, " >
wrote:
> 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.>From these readings it seems like the Catalytic Converter may be on
>
> 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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wrote:
> 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.
>>From these readings it seems like the Catalytic Converter may be on
> 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
>

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/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

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/Produc...s/PlanarO2.htm


On Sep 15, 8:10 pm, " >
wrote:
> 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.>From these readings it seems like the Catalytic Converter may be on
>
> 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

| 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.