Honda Failing Smog Snap Test

Maintenance/Repairs
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Hello,

I’ve had a 2002 Honda CRV for 4 years, about 160k miles. I’m looking for some help to get it to pass smog in order to renew registration. At this point I’ve replaced most of the major suspension components, radiator, starter, etc… and I would love to keep this car running. I’m in CA, and I went to get smogged.

However, the car failed due to white smoke in the exhaust during snap throttle test. The technician demonstrated, and it does indeed spew clouds of white smoke around 2-3000 rpm.

No engine codes. No other smog test failures. The PCV valve was replaced when the engine coded about 2 years ago. VTC solenoid has failed once and been replaced, about 3 years ago. I drove it to the smog place fairly early in the morning in about 55 degree weather, and it was only 5 mins away so from reading, condensation might have been making the issue worse. However, the car does consume oil at a quick rate (1L every 2weeks/every 400-500 miles). There’s a lot of oil leaks around the seals. And I do think I smell burning oil when I top off the oil sometimes…

Any thoughts on where to start to diagnose this? My plan was to start by checking/replacing the PCV valve and doing an oil change tonight since it needs one anyway. Tomorrow/later this week I’m taking it to a few shops for their opinion as well, but I’d at least like to be informed while chatting with mechanics…

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MD uses Cali pollution requirements. The DMV here says to drive your car in the highway for at least a half hour to warm it up and have the best chance of passing. Your car might still have been warming up and running rich.

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Your engine definitely wasn’t properly warmed up

Besides driving for 20 minutes before the smog test, have you considered using something like this?

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With the amount of oil you are using, your rings and/or valve oil seals are likely worn out. The snap throttle test seems to point to valve seals. A compression test would pinpoint the cause.

Bad valve seals would be helped by the stuff @db4690 recommended.

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I wouldn’t use this product, but I’d definitely try “Restore” instead. I have personally used “Restore” to get vehicles with an old, worn-out engine through emissions testing, and it worked. It noticeably reduced oil consumption as well.

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Such as the best cars every made . . . ?

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:sweat_smile:

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