# Help with Passing Emissions Portion of Texas State Inspection **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** accord, honda\ **Created:** [August 13, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440 "2010-08-13T02:10:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SandraHonda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SandraHonda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SandraHonda)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/1 "2010-08-13T02:10:35Z")
I have a 94 Honda Accord with 300K miles and it will not pass the emissions portion of Texas State Inspection test. I tried using Lucas and driving the car prior to having the test conducted but my car still failed the emissions portion. The dealership told me I need to have something completed with a O-ring? Do you think this sounds like a good solution? I don’t want to waste time and money with unnecessary repairs. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/2 "2010-08-13T02:17:13Z")
When did you last replace the air filter? Oil change? Plugs? Could you give us more info on the ‘o-ring’? ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/3 "2010-08-13T02:39:40Z")
Why are you using the elevated labor cost of the dealer? An independent mechanic may be able to find the problem less expensively that the dealer. And a 16 year old car can get expensive quickly. What are the results of the emissions test? The typical report will include the allowable RPMS vs the actual, the allowable HCs in ppm vs tested results, the allowable CO limits and the tested, the allowable NOx’s in ppm vs tested, and the CO+CO2 mix percentage allowable vs tested. This is typically for a road test conditions for 25 mph for 25 seconds and 15 mph for 50 seconds. The reason for the failure is important to finding and fixing the problem. Post the emissions results for a much better answer. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/4 "2010-08-13T03:50:52Z")
Please tell us EXACTLY why your car failed. There are many different ways to fail an emissions test. ---
**Author:** ![geeaea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@geeaea](https://community.cartalk.com/u/geeaea)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 7:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/5 "2010-08-13T07:09:50Z")
Sandra (?) Read the work order from the dealer. I’m sure that they didn’t diagnose the failure free. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/6 "2010-08-13T13:22:27Z")
I think you meant “PPM” not “RPM”? ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/7 "2010-08-13T18:14:34Z")
You really need to provide some info about exactly what failed and what this mysterious O-ring is. Based on trying an additive like Lucas my assumption is that your car is failing for hydrocarbons being too high, which in turn will affect the CO and NOX. At 300k miles it’s likely burning some oil (hydrocarbons) and if this is the case then your car is toast as far as meeting the emissions standards. As to the O-ring, the only thing I can surmise there is possibly valve seals and that would be a real iffy repair at 300k miles. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/8 "2010-08-13T21:59:39Z")
In my state, the engine RPMs are to be in a certain range during the 25/25 and 50/15 tests. The car can fail if the RPMs are too low or too high. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/9 "2010-08-13T22:58:16Z")
I have a hunch the shop said 'ring job" and the owner heard “O-ring”. And I suspect your hunch about the engine’s internal condition is correct. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/10 "2010-08-13T23:03:47Z")
If visible smoke was detected in the exhaust, (common with high-mileage Honda’s) then it’s time for a new car… ---
**Author:** ![SandraHonda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SandraHonda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SandraHonda)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/11 "2010-08-13T23:06:21Z")
Okay here is the information you requested Oil Change 07/24/10 Plugs ??? Air Filter ??? (I usually change it when suggested by the mechanic) O-ring - The mechanic wrote on the paperwork Roches Assembly (oil is in spark plug hole) & A11-4 Injectors, Q113 O-Ring O-ring Parts Listed on Paperwork - O-Ring, Seal Ring - Injec, Cushion Ring Also, there is something about “EGR Ports clogged up” on the paperwork ---
**Author:** ![SandraHonda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SandraHonda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SandraHonda)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/12 "2010-08-13T23:32:14Z")
If you know a good mechanic in Houston, TX I am all ears…trust me. I have not had any luck. Houston is a huge city so I know they are out there, I just haven’t found one yet. Below are the emissions reading: 1st Test (High Speed 25mph) HC(PPM) Standard 127 Reading 6 CO(%) Standard 0.71 Reading 0.11 CO2(%) Standard None Reading 15.5 O2(%) Standard None Reading 0.2 NOx(ppm) Standard 910 Reading 976 Dilution(%) Standard \>6 Reading 15.6 1st Test (Low Speed 15mph) HC(PPM) Standard 132 Reading 28 CO(%) Standard 0.73 Reading 0.11 CO2(%) Standard None Reading 15.5 O2(%) Standard None Reading 0.3 NOx(ppm) Standard 910 Reading 1002 Dilution(%) Standard \>6 Reading 15.6 The first test I failed the high speed NOx reading and passed the low speed. The 2nd test had almost literally the same readings except I failed the NOx reading for both the high and low speed, readings below: High Speed NOx Standard 910 Reading 1474 Low Speed NOx Standard 1006 Reading 1619 ---
**Author:** ![SandraHonda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SandraHonda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SandraHonda)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/13 "2010-08-13T23:41:24Z")
The first test I failed the high speed NOx reading and passed the low speed, readings below: 1st Test High Speed Standard 910 Reading 976 1st Test Low Speed Standard 1006 Reading 1002 The 2nd test had almost literally the same readings except I failed the NOx reading for both the high and low speed, readings below: 2nd Test High Speed NOx Standard 910 Reading 1474 2nd Test Low Speed NOx Standard 1006 Reading 1619 Responded to BustedKnuckles post with entire Emissions Test Results ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/14 "2010-08-13T23:47:49Z")
I’m in agreement with mountainbike and Caddyman. It may be time to move on since the state wants to null and void the car due to emissions. ---
**Author:** ![SandraHonda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SandraHonda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SandraHonda)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/15 "2010-08-13T23:50:00Z")
O-Ring - Additional Information (Everything below is from the mechanic’s paperwork) O-ring - The mechanic wrote on the paperwork Roches Assembly (oil is in spark plug hole) & A11-4 Injectors, Q113 O-Ring O-ring Parts Listed on Paperwork - O-Ring, Seal Ring - Injec, Cushion Ring Also, there is something about “EGR Ports clogged up” on the paperwork Emissions Results The first test I failed the high speed NOx reading and passed the low speed, readings below: 1st Test High Speed Standard 910 Reading 976 1st Test Low Speed Standard 1006 Reading 1002 The 2nd test had almost literally the same readings except I failed the NOx reading for both the high and low speed, readings below: 2nd Test High Speed NOx Standard 910 Reading 1474 2nd Test Low Speed NOx Standard 1006 Reading 1619 Responded to BustedKnuckles post with entire Emissions Test Results ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/16 "2010-08-14T00:49:21Z")
Fix the clogged EGR ports and the NOx numbers will go down. The bad O-rings are in the valve cover and are letting oil get on the outer parts of the spark plugs. Oil on the plugs is probably not a part of your current problem, but that needs fixing. Get the valves adjusted while they have the cover off. ---
**Author:** ![SandraHonda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SandraHonda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SandraHonda)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-passing-emissions-portion-of-texas-state-inspection/53440/17 "2010-08-14T01:55:11Z")
Thanks circuitsmith, I will do as you suggested. For all the repairs, do you know what is a fair cost (estimate of course).