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Forum > Failed Smog Test > Question

92 Toyota Camry failed smog test due to ignition timing and high CO.

My CO was 0.80 Passing CO is 0.60 Is it a big difference from .60 to .80? I also failed the timing part. My timing was 20 btdc when it's supposed to be at 10 btdc. I took it to be adjusted and they told me my 1992 Toyota Camry doesn't go out of timing and the smog test only station checked the timing wrong. 1992 Toyota Camry not going out of timing, is it true?
Answer:

Your Toyota Camry DOES have adjustable timing. The ignition timing on your 1992 Toyota Camry CAN be adjusted. The mechanic is making a mistake, and the smog technician may be correct as far as your Toyota's timing being off if they checked the timing properly (by installing a jumper wire between timing check connector terminals T & E).

 

Assuming the smog technician checked your Toyota Camry's timing properly, then yes, your Camry does have a timing problem and the first step of the diagnosis should be to set the ignition timing properly and retest your car. Fixing the timing may very well lower CO and your 1992 Camry may pass the smog check with the timing problem fixed.

 

If your car still fails the smog test after the timing correction you'll need to begin the real diagnosis then. You will have a whole new set of emission results to diagnose with. CO will no longer be .80 due to timing adjustment. It may be higher, but more then likely lower.

 

CO stands for Carbon Monoxide. It is a by-product of incomplete combustion, more then often related to the presentation of too much fuel to the combustion chambers, or incorrect ignition timing. The spark created at the sparkplug can only burn a small amount of fuel, the fuel it cannot burn is sent out the tailpipe and will normally contain high levels of partially burned fuel (CO) and un-burned fuel (HC). When timing is off and the spark plug fires at the wrong time higher levels of CO are created.


posted by SmogTips Support

 

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