Just failed emissions twice

[krousdb]

The VX just failied emmissions also. Not ONx but HC. I googled it and found these common causes of failure..

EXCESSIVE HYDROCARBONS (HC)

These emissions result from unburned fuel. Check the following areas for problems:
- Internal engine trouble
- Faulty air pump
- Ignition system
- Exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR)
- Catalytic converter
- Gas Cap

EXCESSIVE CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

High amounts of carbon monoxide occur in a rich fuel mixture, meaning there's either too much or too little air reaching the combustion chamber. Check for problems with the following:
- Mis-adjusted carburetor
- Faulty fuel-injection system
- Dirty air filter
- Worn rings or valve guides
- Air pump system

OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NOx)

High levels of NOx can be caused by excessive temperature in the combustion chamber of a damaged catalytic converter. Check for problems with the following:
- Air injection system

- EGR system
- Combustion chamber deposits
- Dirty fuel injectors"

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by krousdb

These emissions result from unburned fuel.

Well krousdb, looks like it's time for you to buy a fuel atomizer!

(this post was a joke. Please don't mistake this as an endorsement for a product that doesn't work.)

[95metro]

The only things I can think of that affect NOx are the O2 sensor and the cat. A lean mixture would increase NOx. If the cat is rattling (breaking up inside) then it needs replacement.

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

Well krousdb, looks like it's time for you to buy a fuel atomizer!

(this post was a joke. Please don't mistake this as an endorsement for a product that doesn't work.)

No, what I really need is an "Easy Button".

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by krousdb

No, what I really need is an "Easy Button".

Here you are

[GasSavers_brick]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

Here you are

Don't get your hopes up for that one. We've been using an easy button at the office for weeks and it's a big disappointment. (Seriously...one of our admins got one and put it on her desk.)

Dan's problem is encouraging because excessive hydrocarbons = should be using less fuel than it is, hence the potential for huge numbers once he has it in tune. Of course, I'm assuming that it won't be a huge $$ fix...

Hope you guys get these cars running right!

[krousdb]

Yes, better FE if I can fix it. Wodering how the gas cap can lead to high HC?

[Gary Palmer]

Matt: I don't know what you've done, already, but from my perspective, I'd try to find out what is causing it to overheat. If your having to run your heater as an auxiliary radiator, something's either causing it to lean out, tremendously, or your thermostat isn't opening, or something. I've had a lot of problems with my 87 Civic, in regard to overheating, but I am pretty sure that most of my problems stem from a loss of fluid, when the system get's under pressure. Every time I check, it is only down maybe 2 cups of water, in the radiator, but that 2 cups is enough to make the thermostat not get water, and hence it doesn't open, which in turn causes it to get hotter, which in turn causes more pressure, causing more water loss. In every instance, when I have checked it, it has been down by a couple of cup's of water.

In my case, I found I had a radiator which was getting pretty tired, which I have replaced, but which hasn't really been tested because it's sitting, waiting for me to finish figuring out a totally unrelated issue.

In any case, on the 87, the radiator seems to sit lower than in the 89, and it seems to be extremely critical for all of the air to be evacuated, all of the time.

Good Luck

[Matt Timion]

Thanks Gary. As soon as my wife gets home I'm going to check her radiator level... well, the car cools down at least. I also bought some NGK spark plugs for it a few minutes ago.

I might get a new radiator for it if it's losing coolant, which I'm certain will fix the overheating.

Fon't forget, the ECU told me to check the spark/o2 sensor a while ago, so I'm also sure that it's part of the problem.

[95metro]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

I also bought some NGK spark plugs for it a few minutes ago.

Was I right? Did NAPA stock 'em?