Max_5gen

iTrader: (2)

93 SE auto VE30DE (limits are in brackets)

shop #2 today:
25/25: _________________ Idle:
HC 61 (58) - FAILED_____ 33 (200) - PASSED
CO .04 (.32) - PASSED___ 0.00 (1.00) - PASSED
NO 62 (435) - PASSED___ N/A
RPM 1628 ______________ 792

another shop (#1) who most likely didn't bother to warm up the very same car the day before:
HC 141 - FAILED 122 - PASSED
CO .31 - PASSED .19 - PASSED
NO 989 - FAILED N/A
RPM 783 (?!!) 976 (?!!)

... and shop #1 two years before:
HC 58 - PASSED 68 - PASSED
CO .07 - PASSED .08 - PASSED
NO 244 - PASSED N/A
RPM 1536 793

I think cat is working judging from the top results when the car was well warmed up compare to the two years back when it wasn't warmed up that well. The only thing which is killing me is the HC. My plan is to change oil (it is due) and check ignition timing. Can I expect to pass doing these 2 things? Any other ideas are also welcome.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Retard your timing back a few degrees. You sure you didn't advance your timing a fee years ago and completely forget about it? Happened me a few years back

Even if you're at stock timing, I'd still try bumping your down a bit, it'll help with the HCs and still be driveable, plus it's free.

Is your cat original? It should pass with flying colors even if it's not warmed up. I've got new cats and EGR valves on both my VE's and they passed by wide margins on their most recent emissions tests with no warmup.

Anyway, if it were me, I'd change the oil, drop the timing back to 12-13 degrees, and retest. You're not THAT far over. When my VE's used to fail emissions they'd be thousands over the limit

Max_5gen

iTrader: (2)

The truth is - I have no idea what my timing is as I put it without any timing light, that's why I'm going to buy one very soon .

As for the cat it was replaced with aftermarket about 4 years ago. At that time I didn't know better and let mechanics do it. They also re- connected o2 sensor in the process which actually made it pass the emissions as I understand now.

Warming up the car helps in many ways: EGR system turns on only after certain engine temperature, ECU goes into 'closed loop' and starts using o2 sensor also only on the hot engine. The cat also works only after being heat up. You can see it from the middle reading - almost all numbers are higher in times and they were taken off the same car. The only change I did to get the top reading was to drive it for 30 minutes on hwy before the test. Only HC was still a little high.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

there's lots of things that can cause high Hc numbers. poke around on google and you'll find a bazillion websites with 'mechanic advice' on what could be wrong. takes you less time to search and find than for me to regurgitate the same 15 things they tel you do to. but James is on the right track. those are the first things I'd check.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

I was runnng 20 degrees BTDC with cams, headers, ignition system, 38 psi fuel pressure, CAI and passed with almost 0 emissions @ idle and cruise....mine is a 1990 VG though....I would change your oil, set timing to spec, clean your PCV, and warm it up b4 going......

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

nvm

arsonist63086

well i have a 77 810 fuel injection and passed with an average of 10% emissions of the max allowed... what did befor going was set my timing to spec and hooked my egr vac back up and running 89 fuel in and heated up the cat buy doing some engine braking... have in my car msd-cdi, cold air intake, 4 year old cat, 1980 280zx ecu with o2 sensor , moded plugs, my car has passed all the the time since i got it with no issue on the 1st run... so what u can do is run higher octane, spec timing and clean out your egr, new plugs, a new o2 sensor if its the original or if your not sure you can also run injector cleaner threw your system (i use lucas) ... (high hc from what i recall is unburnt fuel, i could be wrong)

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Updates?