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OK, I bought this car (90' civic dx) with the intent on saving a bunch of $$ on gas and I will if I can get it passed the smog test. It's hydrocarbons are @ about 550 and they are supposed to be under 220. The car burns oil at a pretty good rate and I can see a plume of smoke out the tail pipe when I step on it. The car does run strong and I am getting in the mid 30's for MPG. I guess my question is what's going on with it? and can I get it passed DEQ for pretty cheap? Thanks of the help.

 
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A little more background if it helps. When I purchased the car the owner had paperwork for a complete rebuild on the head. Has anybody had any success getting passed DEQ after a fail? Or can somebody point me to an existing thread? Thanks.

 
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HCs are generally unburnt fuel. Perhaps blow-by. Check your:

spark plugs
-if they are worn out, etc.
-seating

ignition components
-good spark or not
-wear on spark plug wires/cap/rotor

replace most, if not all, of those things and you should pass IF it's just the hydrocarbon reading.