CA SMOG Problems
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I understand now why you're asking.
I too am well aware of the smog BS. My old F250 (now my daughters truck) didn't have an underhood sticker like my Ex does, so I ordered one from Parts Guy Ed back when Ed was still working at Ford, since my old F250 should have had one.
And while my present truck doesn't have an underhood sticker, thankfully my valve covers do have the proper stickers showing non-cat needed.
Thankful because Ed no longer works at Ford so I wouldn't be able to order one and...well....I too will leave it at that.
Stewart
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Foresthill, CA
As others have said, I would check other smog shops. I am in the Auburn, CA area and I went through a similar problem with 1 of my vehicles about 10 years ago. The third smog shop I tried I found an honest but non **** owner and he passed the vehicle with no problem. At each shop I explained why the other shops would not pass it and he didn't care about what he considered a non issue as long as the required parts were there. I would get the cat welded on and try other shops. I figured it was better to be upfront with each shop so I didn't waste time going through a smog check just to fail the visual.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,335
Likes: 6,110
Thanks Stewart! I'm glad at least someone appreciated the extra effort at researching and posting specific E.O. and part #s, since we haven't heard anything from the OP yet.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 778
From: SoCal/Wyoming
The issue I have with the smog check in CA is that it's not a state-wide requirement. If you are close to a dense population, you are required to have a smog. If you live out in the sticks, they don't care. Take my county for instance (Riverside). The left half of Riverside County requires a smog check while the right half of the county does not require one.........
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 434
Likes: 18
From: Phoenix Area
Update,
Still annoyed, but found an oem downpipe take off. Shop in chico happened to have one, so truck goes in monday to have them weld this thing together so I can finally get my tags. Going to look into that banks set up, but money is better spent fixing my girlfriends car so she can get to and from work safely. Thanks so much Y2KW57 for your research, soon as funds allow I will be getting that set up.
And hopefully someday I wont be stuck in Cali, but thats a whole different subject.
Still annoyed, but found an oem downpipe take off. Shop in chico happened to have one, so truck goes in monday to have them weld this thing together so I can finally get my tags. Going to look into that banks set up, but money is better spent fixing my girlfriends car so she can get to and from work safely. Thanks so much Y2KW57 for your research, soon as funds allow I will be getting that set up.
And hopefully someday I wont be stuck in Cali, but thats a whole different subject.
New User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1999 ford in sac.
I am having the same problem and was wondering if anyone had gotten an the exception from c.a.r.b.
I bought this truck 4 years ago and it had a 4" downpipe to the cat and it passed smog now it does not.
I bought this truck 4 years ago and it had a 4" downpipe to the cat and it passed smog now it does not.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 370
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
Welcome to the site. Where in CA are you, very long state. I would suggest another smog shop, depending on where you are you may have anywhere from only one option but you could have literally hundreds.
Good luck
Good luck
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Yuba City
I live near Sacramento, and my hood says catalyst, but I went and got a build sheet from Ford based on my vin, and it said no catalyst. The said they could order stickers for me for $65, but the build sheet has worked fine to smog with since I scraped off the hood sticker.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Njstern87 what part of Sac are you in? I grew up in Folsom, and lived all over that area. Used to work down in Del Paso Heights. I moved up to Idaho 5 years ago and never looked back. No smog, inspections, and DMV is only two ladies at a counter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
My brother still lives in Folsom and before he retired, his station (at least at one point in his career) was in Del Paso Heights.
Not a place for a first choice to buy a house.
Stewart
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Definitely not. Luckily we didn't have to live there, just work. We lived in Fair Oaks and Orangevale are before moving to Idaho. Folsom is a nice area to live, but has become too expensive over the last 20 years.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
It's definitely a very nice area to live...not so much Del Paso Heights.
Stewart