I just bought my first Third gen Camaro (1990 RS V6), and I'm having a really hard time passing emissions in Atlanta. My CO is way to high. I'm thinking it may be the Cat, but I wanted more opinions. I am really tight on money right now so I'm trying to make this as easy and cheap as possible. I'm fairly new to working on cars so If you have a suggestion please keep that in mind. Thanks in advance!

Here is a list of what I have done:

Injectors
O2 Sensor
Spark Plugs
Thermostat
Coolant Temp Sensor
Air Filter
Oil Change
Random Vacuum Hoses

 

no check engine light on?

 

Unfortunately not

 

Take a look at this:

 

Thanks a bunch that really gives me something to start with. I went out and bought a timing light today and im having a hard time finding the mark. I dont know if im looking in the right place or not. Here is a picture of my engine. Could you show me where I'm supposed to be looking please? Thanks!

 

Well I ended up finding it, as well as adjusting the timing. It was WAY off. The problem that I'm having now is that it won't stay where I adjusted it. I followed the technical article on here but it seems to bounce back up to 20-24 degrees even when I set it to 10 and lock it down.

 

What did you find? I just went thru a similar ordeal with my 92 Z28 305 car Monday. Would'nt pass due to CO's being .19 too high. They did a couple adjustments, replaced the cap and rotor and I'm good. He said it will need cats before the next test though. I'm out here in Douglasville.

 

Does your distributor have a 4 wire connector like this?:


you have to disconnect it while setting the timing, then reconnect it.

 

no ,that isnt right.there is/was a brown wire with a black stripe near the blower motor that you disconnect before you set base timing.and doing so will set a code 42 .just reset the computer after your done

 

oops my fault I gave out setting the timing for computer controlled carbs instead. rusty vango is right.

 

Thank you all! I was able to pass my emissions test. You were a huge help!