My 1992 2.2 is failing emissions testing due to high NOx emissions. The car was far below the limit when it was checked 2 years and 25k miles ago.

The only thing that changed in the engine was I replaced the coil/cap/rotor in September. In doing so I noticed that it appears you can advance or retard the timing slightly, is this true? If so I think I know my problem (timing too advanced) but I'll need to know which direction to rotate the cap to retard the timing.

If there are any other cheap fixes let me know. The car has over 302k miles and really needs replacement, so I do not want to spend money on this thing.

 

You'll need a timing light. Jump TE1 and E1 on test connector located close to firewall, PS I believe. Timing is 10* BTDC on flywheel marks with TE1 and E1 jumped. Not sure which way to turn dist. to retard but advance will increase idle rpm, retard will decrease rpm. You'll also see the timing marks change + or - from TDC.

 

Cool. I think my dad has a timing light somewhere, I'll have to go snag it tonight. Hopefully I can get the car to pass and I can keep driving it for a little while longer!

 

I PASSED E-CHECK!!! Barely. 909.5ppm, limit is 910. But passing is passing and I'm good for 2 years (the car won't last that long so I'm good to go)

I never had time to get to my parent's house to borrow my dad's timing light, so I simply rotated the cap until the idle came down to 750rpm per the Hayne's book.

And so everyone knows, retard the timing by rotating the cap counterclockwise.