California Smog Purgatory...

[matts86chev]

So I took this thing to get smogged while back and it failed. Passed Comp. Visual Inspection but failed the functional check because of a check engine light, that was the ONLY thing cited in that portion of the test as a FAIL.

For the Emissions test it failed with really high NOx. So I figured out the CEL and replaced the Coolant Temp Sensor that was causing it, thats out of the way... Ran some stuff through the fuel system, replaced the spark plugs and put in a new radiator because the old one ended up leaking massively anyways.

This morning I take it back in to get tested, fairly confident it should pass according to what was wrong on the last test and now a different tech at the same shop does the test and I come out with another FAIL but this time it says TAMPER for Comp. Visual Test, FAIL for functional and FAIL for emissions!

The list of fails:
EGR Visual: MODIFIED
Fuel Cap Functional: FAIL
Vacuum Lines to Sensors/switches: DISCONNECTED
Ignition Timing: U 00: FAIL
Wiring to sensors: DISCONNECTED

He made a list at the bottom saying:
Vacuum hose @ thermal vac switch missing
EGR Vacuum Hose taped
Engine Idle speed @ drive is 675 rpm, require 550 rpm
Bad Fuel Cap Passenger side

Some of those are easy fixes. I am just trying to understand the discrepancy here really. I have never had ANY of those issues mentioned in the 3 prior smog tests I have had done on this truck. and the first 2 times it passed.

I also failed NO again but I cut it in half and only failed by like 13 ppm so any tips on lowering that some more would be great!

Anyone else ever had an experience like this? This guy just decide to be hard up on stuff today or what? Any help, advice or tips on some fixes would be AWESOME!

[68c10owner]

I'm dealing with this on my 85. Guy I bought it from said it would pass no problem. Except I didn't notice the CES was on. I've got code 54 but lost the transmission before I could dive into it too much. Once I get it to pass I'm going g to register it in a county that doesn't require bi-anuall inspections so I won't have to deal with it anymore.

[wilkin250r]

I've seen this type of discrepencey before, and it was because the shop got hammered for being too lenient and passing cars that should not have been passed. With the threat of fines and/or closure, the shop had no choice but to tighten restrictions and do everything "by the book". Once you're on radar, there's no wiggle room.

That may not have been the case with your shop, but it's not unheard of.

[kalbert]

Sounds like you're not far away from a pass. That's less than $50 worth of repairs to do, patch vac leaks, repalce gas cap, set timing, set idle, done.

I'd question why these weren't caught the first time rather than why they were caught 2nd time. Visual inspection is the simplest part, did they not even open the hood the first time?

[lilpoindexter]

I took my '95 Miata to smog yesterday, and they guy was going over it like no one has ever gone over any of my cars before...The dude saw that I had a replacement Cat and he jots down the number...looks it up in some book to make sure it was a CA converter and not a 49 state converter...this is the 3rd smog check on that converter.. He was also tracing all the vacuum lines, and spent about 10 minutes looking around under the hood.

It sounds like there is some directive to clamp down even harder. The thing that make me angry is that the new cars in line ahead of me dont even get tested on the dyno...they just plug into the OBD II sensor, without the wheels spinning!
The tree hugger dufuses are out of control. When all this BS started in 1984 it was supposed to be only cars 20 years old and newer, but the rules were re-written.
Satan would get a warmer welcome than an old truck lover here.

[wilkin250r]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

When all this BS started in 1984 it was supposed to be only cars 20 years old and newer, but the rules were re-written.

Right? It's like trying to appease ISIS. First it starts out as just "new" cars. Then it gets back-dated for 20 years, but it was supposed to be a rolling 20 years. That rule goes by the wayside as well.

Give them an inch, they're just gonna want another inch, and another inch, and another inch...

[KQQL IT]

My 99 crew cab isn't obd 2 and had issues finding somebody to smog it this year, what a joke

[Matt Man]

Man I'm happy I don't have a computerized quadrajet... Luckily all my smog equipment was on mine when I got it.

[nonstop]

It's just ways to get these off the road! Almost impossible to get some of the smog hard parts, especially for systems approaching 30 years old. Look what is being done to the med. duty trucks (3500hd and F-Super Duty) of the early to mid 90s. They are almost impossible to operate or even register in Ca. It's going to get harder and harder. It is hard to understand the logic when some of these mods actually make the engine run cleaner, but the truck fails because it's been "modified".

[matts86chev]

I figured I wouldn't be the only one that's had this issue! Yeah it's insane the amount of subjectivity involved in this stuff the 2 prior years I've had to do this it was no problem at all and the first time at this shop with a different guy and it failed in 2 fairly simple categories and now this other guy goes over it with a fine toothed comb. The owner said they fired the other guy because he missed stuff and that the state comes with undercover cars so reading between the lines on that I'm guessing they got hit with some fines and/or warnings and now are going hard up by the book. Too bad we owners of old vehicles can't claim some kind of discrimination like everyone else gets to! But, like was mentioned earlier the fixes aren't expensive... It's just the principle! And the fact that the shop wanted 100 an hour minimum plus a 120 dollar diagnostic fee... Don't they realize the Internet exists? Speaking of which, anyone know what the bottom hose on the thermal vacuum switch that comes off the thermostat is supposed to go to? 😜
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[beamn7]

If he hit you for idle speed, he is wrong. You can go plus or minus 300 RPM on idle speed and plus or minus 3 deg on timing. Tell him to re-take his CARB smog license test! Bottom hose on the thermal vacuum switch on t-stat goes to EFE valve (heat riser valve) on the pass side exhaust manifold. Try changing the oil too. You wouldn't believe how many times I've seen a car fail, change the oil and it pass. Especially on older engines... Bumping timing up to 8 deg can actually lower nox. Lower timing will increase nox. If you can't get this puppy going, PM me if you feel like taking a ride up to Wildomar and we can tweak on it some saturday.

[NorCalAnthony]

Originally Posted by wilkin250r

Right? It's like trying to appease ISIS. First it starts out as just "new" cars. Then it gets back-dated for 20 years, but it was supposed to be a rolling 20 years. That rule goes by the wayside as well.

Give them an inch, they're just gonna want another inch, and another inch, and another inch...

Supposedly they stopped the rolling 20 years and went with 1975 as a hard cut-off since that's when most vehicles started using cats and emissions really started taking affect. I still remember my dad throwing a fit when that law went in to affect and he was forced to get rid of the long tubes he had on his '85 Suburban lol.

I'm getting ready to smog my '89 K5 for the first time since I've owned it so it'll be interesting to see how she does...

[riz]

You're just in the wrong state !

RIZ

[nonstop]

Originally Posted by riz

You're just in the wrong state !

RIZ

Yes - for many reasons! But we also don't quite have the same rust issues as you!

[f.monroe]

Originally Posted by nonstop

Yes - for many reasons! But we also don't quite have the same rust issues as you!

Correct. But he can still drive his rusty truck.

Vote wisely. And remember that they never try to get everything they want all at once. People might actually go against that. They start with a law that affects a few and then incrementally increase the restrictions until they are over the top.

[Matt Man]

They should just switch the law to vehicles with OBD systems. When I took my 05 accord for smog, the test was over in 5 min! My 81 took about 20-25 min. They are trying to get these old vehicles off the road.

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Man I'm happy I don't have a computerized quadrajet... Luckily all my smog equipment was on mine when I got it.

Have my E4ME Q jet and the truck runs great, still have all the smog equip on mine, being the original owner I new better than to mess with anything

[Edahall]

Here's the solution for CA smog.

[beamn7]

Originally Posted by Malo83

Have my E4ME Q jet and the truck runs great, still have all the smog equip on mine, being the original owner I new better than to mess with anything

Same here! They got a bad rap because so many techs didn't understand them (or want to) or have the proper tools or the time to dial them in but set up right, they function great and honestly are pretty simple. Mine passes cleaner than my '96 2500 multi-port 350ci used to! Stay in the primaries and you get an oxygen sensor metered air fuel ratio. Nail it and you go full rich on the primaries plus you get the secondaries. Not a bad deal. My 355 is not stock (albeit the mods are air resource board approved) and still responds well with the E4ME. Now don't get me wrong though, our smog laws are a pain! ONLY thing I miss about Massachusetts...

Good article supporting the CCC Rochester 2 and 4 barrel:
http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/...hmn_tips1.html

[Matt Man]

[QUOTE=Edahall;7388846]Here's the solution for CA smog.
Will only work if the truck was originally a diesel. Or is pre smog to begin with. Would be nice though... maybe a 4bt?
/QUOTE]

[Edahall]

[quote=Matt Man;7389346]

Originally Posted by Edahall

Here's the solution for CA smog.
Will only work if the truck was originally a diesel. Or is pre smog to begin with. Would be nice though... maybe a 4bt?
/QUOTE]

Once you convert to diesel, you get it inspected and the DMV changes the registration to diesel. How do I know? Well I used to live in CA. My 1990 Suburban originally had a 350 tbi. And yes, I got sick and tired of yearly smog so this was the work around.

[Matt Man]

[quote=Edahall;7390241]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Once you convert to diesel, you get it inspected and the DMV changes the registration to diesel. How do I know? Well I used to live in CA. My 1990 Suburban originally had a 350 tbi. And yes, I got sick and tired of yearly smog so this was the work around.

Interesting, nice to know.

[68c10owner]

Going to register my 85 in a county that doesn't require bi-anuall smogs. Only for change of ownership.

[manimal]

Originally Posted by 68c10owner

Going to register my 85 in a county that doesn't require bi-anuall smogs. Only for change of ownership.

That only works if you have an address in THAT county!

[manimal]

and this is also the reason I either buy 75-older or do cab swaps to 73-75!