Smog check data

I'm a little concerned with the HC number that came out in comparison to the average. (Measured vs. Average). Is that anything to be concerned with? The CO and NO numbers appear well below the average.



Also, i thought I was set at TDC but it says I'm 10 BTDC....is that why the higher HC number?



It runs fine, but will turning the distributor (read casually on this board but not in depth) clockwise or counterclockwise do anything to correct that?





Greg

Reply 1 : Smog check data

i dont see why you are concerned when you passes emissions in california...with room to spare too.



what always works without fail, why fix it if it aint broken. changing the timing wont do much expect possibly give a longer and better burn. but really its not worth it unless you failed it, and you said the thing runs fine.

Reply 2 : Smog check data

Quote:

Originally Posted by dem2757 i dont see why you are concerned when you passes emissions in california...with room to spare too. what always works without fail, why fix it if it aint broken. changing the timing wont do much expect possibly give a longer and better burn. but really its not worth it unless you failed it, and you said the thing runs fine.

Are you saying I would be changing the timing from normal to abnormal? meaning 10 BTDC is norm for this car and if I went to TDC it would cause problems?



If I can get a better and longer burn would that help with MPG?



I have the time to tinker with this if there are improvements to make, if something can be corrected then I want to spend the time to do it. I put a lot of time into this engine already and want to do whatever I can to make it as right as possible.



EDIT: I just read something about bad gas possibly causing a high HC number. The same 1/2 tank has been sitting in the car for at least over 6 months now and was likely filled with the cheapest gas possible (my nephews drove it) before the head gasket blew. I'll pour some seafoam in the tank and run it out and start using better gas.

Reply 3 : Smog check data

I think you have your answer then. It was probably the old fuel.



As for the timing, 10*BTDC is how it is supposed to be set for the base timing. If you set it all the way back to 0*BTDC, your car will run like dog shit, if at all. If anything (and you are willing to run 89 or 91 octane), you can bump the timing up to to 14*+BTDC. As long as it isn't pinging, you will be ok.



-Charlie

Reply 4 : Smog check data

Thanks again charlie, I spoke to both of my nephews last night...and they would use the lowest/cheapest they could get from arco or thrifty. I always use 89/91 chevron in my other two trucks so that's what this camry will be getting from now on.



After I passed smog I celebrated by dropping the vehicle off for 4 new kyb struts and boot kits, hopefully get it back today. It was pretty funny because you could push all the way down in the front or rear with hardly any resistance and all 4 boots were ripped off. The mechanics were telling the other mechanics next door to come look and have a laugh by pushing on the car it was so bad! (another doing of my nephews speeding over the biggest dips they could find)

Reply 5 : Smog check data

Don't need 89 or 91 octane unless it's pinging or you advance the timing. For ours, we used 89 octane in our 4cyl 87 Camry DX for the first several years. Changing to 87 octane made no difference that we could tell and we've had the car since 1988.