Acura4Brent

Legend Lover's!

I am the proud owner of a 1992 Legend with 202,000 mi on it (this car is completely stock). My heart was broke earlier this month with a failed emissions test. Test results are as follows:

HC = .3344 our of a max of .8 Passed Test
CO = 17.3505 out of a max of 15 FAILED Test
NOx = 1.0813 out of a max of 2 Passed Test

All measurements are in grams/mile.

I have complained to a couple of car guys I know and they told me to do the following: 1) New air filter 2) new spark plug wires & plugs and finally 3) check out the O2 sensors THEN retest.

So I...
Checked the Filter... Brand spankin' new (almost anyway).

Called Acura for price on spark plug wires.... Giggle. Ok, not a car guy. "Coil Packs" are over $150 each. I'll hold off on that.

Enlisted the help of my dad and we changed the spark plugs. The old plugs looked pretty good. One of the "Coil Packs" rubber boot seemed to be breaking down but nothing major.

With the help of a Volt meter we checked the Left and Right O2 sensor to ensure they were functioning correctly per the Haynes Manual. All three tests checked OK.

Please please help!
All I have really done to the car is change the spark plugs! The O2 sensors seem fine, Air filter is OK, coil packs all seem to be in decent shape with the exception of 1 with slight wear and tear.

I don't trust repair shops that much so I don't want to get raked over the coals and our Acura dealer wants top dollar for an assessment as well.

IS THERE ANY OTHER TEST OR TRICKS THAT CAN SQUEEK ME BY?

 

MC®

How did you come to that conclusion?

Forget the spark plugs and air cleaner, unless the car is in need of a full tune-up.

Most likely its your O2 and unfortunately our cars have two. Check the computer for codes to see if its the left or right. What did the spark plugs look like?

If you still fail then the catalyitic convert. is prob bad.

__________________
-Mike

ILOVELEGEND

Couple of our members had similar problems. Here is the link to their posts. Read through them, it might just help you out.

Failed Emission Test

Good Luck!

Acura4Brent

MC
When I said o2 sensors seemed fine this is how I came to the conclusion:

With the assistance of a Haynes Manual we probed a wire on the sensor connector and watched monitored the voltage as the car warmed up (open loop) and then idled (closed loop). In an open loop, one of the sensor wires should show a .1 - .2 volts. In a closed loop, you should detect voltage anywhere from .1-.9.

I did this on both sensors and they both fell in the acceptable ranges. It also walked you through instructions on making sure that the 02 sensor was getting proper power supply as well as had you check the resistance of a pair of wires on each sensor. All systems checked out A-OK (according to haynes anyway).

Spark plugs didn't look to bad at all. I replaced them anyway.

QUESTIONS:
How can I check the computer codes or is that a trip to the dealership?

Also, if it's the catalytic converter thats bad, does anyone have any CHEEP suggestions. Last time I called Acura wanted $1000 for the parts.

Hotstartup

you wont have any computer codes unless the check engine light comes on

Acura4Brent

No check engine light lit up on my rig....

Do I just need to sink the $90 at Acura and have them tell me what's going on?

Still interested if anyone has any idea's on how to aquire a cheep catalytic converter (I only want about another 2 yrs our of this legend).

Thx,
Brent

MC®

The other way is to see if the plugs were carb-ed up. If so, the car is running rich and very likely a bad 02. But this can be ruled out.

Since the car guy told you to look at the plugs and coil pack, the car must be misfiring and running rich causing your high CO levels. I would not rule out the gas filter and cleaning the fuel injectors and maybe even a top end cleaning.

Since you just bought the car, I would check the computer codes

DIY: http://www.legend-forum.com/vbulleti...&threadid=1972

__________________
-Mike

Acura4Brent

MC
Just to clarify... I've put 70,000 mi on the car (no new purchase).

The plugs were changed right before I bought the car. When we pulled them out this weekend they were gap'd correctly and were not carb'd up... Put the new double platinum sparks in anyway.

Also, I may be a bit confused. My check engine is not lit up, is there a possiblity that it will still register some codes on the sensors or some other component for that matter?

If so, I'd be more than happy to give it a try!

Thx,
Brent

jonesy

Have you tried getting some techron fuel additive, probably just clogged injectors, you weren't that much over. Try adding 2 full cans to a full tank, drive till empty, then fill up again with premium fuel. Works almost every time.

Good luck

Ed

__________________
Ed Williams
'91 Acura Legend

Hotstartup

no check engine light doesnt some on u dont need to get the codes, just do what jonesy said

jedinyte120

i recently failed my emission test because of the CO(i think).
i replaced my EGR valve and i passed.cost was about 140 from the dealer.
someone correct me if im wrong that the EGR valve can effect the CO.

rog

__________________
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...c/fa317368.jpg
pics of my coupe

JDM headlights
CL Type-S wheels
Remus Exhaust
HIDs

Acura4Brent

All - Thanks for the great feedback.

Jonesy - Nope, I haven't tried the techron fuel additive... Sounds cheep and easy!

jedinyte120 - I'll have to ask the dealer about the EGR valve!

I'll be sure to update for the benefit of other's plaged by emission testing!

Thx,
Brent

Hotstartup

also check the PCV valve to make sure its not clogged

wallstrum

brent - if you are going to do research on egr stuff, do a search on the forums for egr and posts by me... i have had a decent amount of experience in dealing with the egr system. let me know if you have any questions about it.

wally

__________________
2nd Generation FAQ...Click here

Acura4Brent

All-
Just wanted to follow up and thank you all for the good information. I have passed my emission test without a trip to Acura and hope this information may help someone else out!

What did I do?
-> Changed Spark plugs
-> Changed 1 coil pack (be sure to inspect all of them if you're changing plugs)
-> Added Techron fuel injector teatment

What did I check over?
-> Checked air filter
-> Tested O2 sensors w/ voltmeter
-> Checked EGR valve
-> Checked PCV valve

Thx,
Brent