KuHL 951

This was on my non-Porsche but it's something new just recently added to the list of tests and mine failed. They now test the fuel tank/evap system pressure. I took the 94 Ranger in and it failed because I have a loose hose or something at the filler pipe to tank. They clamp the evap return line at the engine and pressurize the tank through the fill neck for a specific time and check the leakdown. My only symptoms were a very slight drip if I filled the tank at full flow. I thought I would post this because I know some people here have bypassed the evap system on their 944's and installed a small breather filter venting to atmosphere. Now I have to figure out if mine is just a bad hose or what.
What a waste of an otherwise good morning.

V2Rocket

i just got my car smogged a month or two ago and the guy skipped this part.

i wonder if its something relating to car age?

i know they test your gascap to make sure it seals..

KuHL 951

Both my Porsches (86), my van(85), BMW(91), and Ranger(94) all have to go to a 'test only' facility, maybe age is the difference but I'm not sure. I'm am sure that it sucks though, the car passed emissions with flying colors except for that new evap requirement.

bearone

i think they want to hear the "whoosh" as you open the cap to see that it's pressurized and not venting to atmosphere.

87951
95sl320 dd

Legoland951

The test is only for cars where the evaporative canister is exposed. In the 944, its under the fender so they don't check it as far as I know. Its just another BS way for the government to get rid of older cars. The older cars are supposed to vent gas vapors into the air after being filtered by the charcoal canister so there is no whoosh sound.

V2Rocket

ohh yea thats right

i think on the 944 that doesnt count because he cant see it with the visual test

Spidey944

Best diag. test to find your leak will be a smoke test. Old smoke testers used shop air for pressurizing the system while adding smoke at the same time. The only issue with this is that by adding oxygen to a fuel vapor laden environment, you are creating and increasing the A/F ratio. Therefor getting closer to Stoiciometric levels. Any spark, cigarette, flame, whatever near the source of the leak could be a potential flame thrower.

Newer smoke machines use a Nitrogen tank instead of shop air to prevent fires because Nitrogen is an inert gas and won't ignite (duh).

PerceptionProblem

I just failed evap by a few millipoints. Very unhappy about that because I finally passed smog with no tricks! Trying to find out/replace as much hosing as I can to get that number low low low.

Tom M'Guinn

I've been to test only places twice since the evap test came into effect. Both time, on the 951, the tech concluded that he'd have to disassemble things to get to the canister, so marked it as inaccessible on the paperwork, and did not test.

A freind had an old 70's mercedes, and this smog test found a leaking fuel line (not dripping, but seeping enough to be dangerous). Not that I'm in favor of more tests, but I'd rather learn this way than the hard way...

Twigmaster

If a vehicles EVAP system is visible without removing any covers or parts then you must test the system, if the EVAP system can be seen but you would have to remove something in order to get clamps in there then it is a N or an N/A on the Certificate.

F18Rep

Interesting, it seems like such a tiny amount of fuel vapor and we expend so much effort on it. Kinda reminds me of our 1 year review of Sixth Sigma effort - we improve our defect rate by .26% but it cost us 2.5 mil. Hence the term... unsustainable.

I wonder if I accidentally left the gas cap off of my ATV for a few days if I would skew the smog numbers for the whole state. ...:] B

PerceptionProblem

Update: I replaced the long line that runs along the firewall as well as the little one joining the two hard lines under the passengers side of the car. I previously tested at .058 (passing is .04) and now I test at over 1 point. I'm confused and frusturated. Gotta get back under there and make sure it's all sealed properly. :-/

Copilot

Owning a car (of any kind) in California sounds like the worst thing ever.

PerceptionProblem

+1 to you, Copilot. You are correct. The only benefit is that they don't get eaten by rust. (as fast)

Triple_T

I wonder how celebs like Jay Leno manage to keep all their cars. Are registered collector vehicles in California subject to the same smog testing?