With HC emissions that high, something is wrong. Look for an ignition
miss or burned valve. Engine flush is not an answer. The regular
mechanic should be recommending proper diagnostics, not hope in a can.
On a Honda, even the allowable 75 is indicative of a problem. Should be
near "0". HC emissions is basically raw fuel that never started to burn.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Christopher Gronski
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 5:02 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Failed Emissions Test NVC

Hey all, My girlfriend's 97 Honda Civic failed her emissions test
today. She passed everything except HC ppm at 40 km/h. The limit was
75, and the car blew 177, interestingly the car blew 177 at idle as
well.

Her regular Honda mechanic is recomending an engine flush. Good idea?

One more thing. As it turns out Hondas had a recall on their Cat's on
this model because of cracking. As it turns out the cat may indeed be
cracked. She's past the recall period but bought her car used from
Honda. Do they have some responsibility to have done recall work on
the used cars they sell?

Chris