Current CA smog test question.
#16
Stewart
#17
Passing depends partly on the person doing it. The visual inspection requires all smog equipment to be intact. Some techs don't care. Many don't know what's supposed to be present so if there's no obvious stuff it might go unnoticed. For 2000 and newer there's no exhaust sniff, they just plug into the OBD2 and all that matters is that there are no faults and no unset monitors. '97-'99 might get a sniffer, don't know.
My friend has a 2000 that he runs a tuner on. Before the test he just sets it back to stock and no issues.
My friend has a 2000 that he runs a tuner on. Before the test he just sets it back to stock and no issues.
#18
To add a little to the above: no sniffer test ever, opacity instead, and only in certain counties; if you clear any stored codes be sure to complete the "drive cycle" or the resulting P1000 code will fail you; check the underhood sticker as seen below to verify if you need a cat on there. Keep it looking stock aside from intake and exhaust, it will be ok.
Underhood Cat Sticker
Underhood Cat Sticker
#19
Sorry Brian, that bubble got popped along time ago for me as I waited for the floating year to "free" vehicles I had only to have this jackass state make another dumb rule change that benefited no one but those who charge for the smog test.
I wish Santa delivered parts for me but then again it is my birthday and I give the best presents. 😉
I wish Santa delivered parts for me but then again it is my birthday and I give the best presents. 😉
#20
Thanks for the info guys--much appreciated. Basically stock makes sense as far as steering clear of hassles. Pre-smog is sounding better and better for the sake of simplicity. It's just hard finding an older truck that still looks good and hasn't been lifted absurdly sicne I am trying to have a more professional appearance for my business. Personally I like trucks that are beat to hell and back cosmetically, but still have miles and miles of heart. Oh well, sounds like another project truck if I can find one with a straight body. Thanks again.
#21
#22
#23
I’ve yet to have a tech go looking under my hood except to make sure the sticker says non catylyst. As long as no codes are present and your not blowing smoke out of your exhaust, you should pass. If you do clear codes, make sure you drive it at least 100 miles to complete the drive cycle. The only time I’ve had an issue since this started, was last year. I didn’t think about it and cleared a code the morning of my smog and threw a p1000 code. My tech is pretty cool, and said come back in a week and he would only charge me half price. So I payed for 1 1/2 smogs but passed. My budddy who was a smog tech for a long time(recently changed careers) told me that techs shouldn’t be snooping around under the hood since are trucks are only required to check for codes,SES light, and an opacity test. If there pulling that crap, find another shop.
#24
I smogged my e99 in San Jose a couple weeks ago. The tech was going through a huge manual that had a page for my truck and he was checking EVERYTHING. My truck is 100% back to stock except for a cat back at this point so it wasn't a big deal and it passed easily.
The reason I took it there is last June I brought my newly purchased from N.C. "49 state" New Mexico Mustang there. Despite being a 49 state car, the tech only plugged in the code reader and gave me the certificate. That was a different tech.
The reason I took it there is last June I brought my newly purchased from N.C. "49 state" New Mexico Mustang there. Despite being a 49 state car, the tech only plugged in the code reader and gave me the certificate. That was a different tech.
#26
California targets cow gas, belching and manure as part of global warming fight
When I lived in Santa Clara County in CA, had to get smog every two years. Full visual verifying all controls in place, check codes (can not be recently reset), gas cap, and dyno sniff test.
#27
#28
My budddy who was a smog tech for a long time(recently changed careers) told me that techs shouldn’t be snooping around under the hood since are trucks are only required to check for codes,SES light, and an opacity test. If there pulling that crap, find another shop.
Stewart
#29
Smog guy, on hearing my old Chevy C10 idling when I pulled in:
"(long stare) That got a cam in it?"
Me:
"(not missing a beat) Needs one to run, doesn't it?"
Him:
"Please have a seat in the waiting room."
It did pass, barely. With adjustments I paid for. Got it back with the timing severely retarded and way too lean for the cam it "needed" to run...
He was so glad when I got rid of that truck! The rest of my vehicles never needed adjustments to pass.
"(long stare) That got a cam in it?"
Me:
"(not missing a beat) Needs one to run, doesn't it?"
Him:
"Please have a seat in the waiting room."
It did pass, barely. With adjustments I paid for. Got it back with the timing severely retarded and way too lean for the cam it "needed" to run...
He was so glad when I got rid of that truck! The rest of my vehicles never needed adjustments to pass.
#30
Don't bring your truck to San Diego because the visual inspection is a requirement. This time the tech took at least 10 minutes under the hood with a flashlight.