WONT PASS SMOG AND RUNNING PIG RICH H23A1

BLOWNH23A

MEMBER
1923 HONDA PRELUDE

I searched all over the net for someone who has had this problem, and I have found multiple sources that talk about some of the same symptoms that are associated with a code 43 ie, bogging, powerloss, stumbling, idle problems, horrible gas mileage (even on 100 octane).
I have had my prelude (92 Si, H23 5 speed) for about 6 months now and I have repaired many things that were throwing codes, and now the only one that remains is the code 43.
Here is a list of the things that I have repaired.
1. O2 sensor(new)
2. Knock sensor(used but not coding)
3. Map Baro sensor(used but not coding)
4. Cap (denso)/Rotor(denso)(new)
5. Plugs(denso iridium)/wires(OEM)(new)
6. Fuel filter(denso)
7. Cat(new)
Total cost: about 500 bucks from various sources.

Other repairs

8: Exedy Stage 1 clutch
9: Custom Racing axles (clutch snapped the oem pair, prolly bad cv joints to begin with)
10: Pro-Lite aluminum flywheel
11: 2.5 in electric cut out (Pre-cat)
12: Intake
13: Seafoamed
14: Fuel system treatment.

The car ran alot better for a long time and I never pump anything but 93 octane, but it still had the problem of once it warmed up it started running like crap, and I would and still do get this smell, its kind of like a caustic sulfur smell, when the car would get really warmed up or on a hot day. Sometimes after a high rev session the car would stall out. This is frustrating because I love the car other then this problem. Help me oot if anyone has a solution to this.

oh yea one more thing I forgot to mention. The car runs with a higher idle, 2k, I figure its normal since the car is warming itself up. But after a little while it will seem to warm up, then the check engine light will come on and the idle will drop to around 900-1100 rpm. Dont know if thats related to the code 43 but I figure any info is helpful in coming to a diagnosis.

I just took my car to get smogged here are the results
HC- MAX 91 MEASURED- 634

CO- MAX 0.62 MEASURED- 12.87!

Everything else is cool.

Its running pig rich and the timing is all fkd up. I hope its the distributor only and not a leaky fuel injector or something. Let me know.

:twisted:

1 Reply

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

I am just going to ramble hear. The 43 code is the O2 front one lean. You replaced the O2 and I am not sure which one and I am not sure with what did you replace it, new or used and if new an off brand or what. There are ohm tests that I would perform on that sensor.

Did you put on a new intake manifold gasket with the replacement AND were you very careful to remove all of the old gasket?

You say your timing is all messed up. Hello, figure out why it is messed up. The biggest reason that a car might run rich is the timing being fouled up. Running rich or lean the car will not run smoothly.

The caustic smell you have could be cat related, however, it could be charging system related with the battery being overcharged but not all the time. Possibly a bad voltage reg.

Does the car mysteriously use up some of the coolant? I don't mean does it overheat but do you notice a slight but noticable loss of coolant?