Jessa

Congrats on passing.

I hear the CA smog test just got much nastier. What kind of proceedure did they put the car through? Was it any different than what's been done previous years?

drew_816

way different. the guy weighs it and runs it on a dyno along a set path of rpm levels for about a minute. the timing and idle have to be within original factory spec. I think it is harder to pass.

Hyperfish

Jessa-

1. Open a "session" on the smog machine. The machine sends ALL info via modem to DMV.

2. Operator inputs vehicle info. (Year/make/model/mileage/etc.)

3. Operator scans the barcode off the door frame, checks for a CA smog compliant sticker under the hood.

4. In my case, I had the misfortune to be there when the site's dyno was acting up, so a Clayton rep & a CARB rep were present.
CARB rep insisted on my car (purchased out of state) being lifted to confirm cats, exhaust, etc.

Seller didn't disclose mine was missing resonators ('90 GT) so it was bounced for non compliance.

5. Yanked a '91 GT's exhaust from manifolds back, installed on mine. Went back 3 days later. Car was now idling rough after 20 seconds or so so I had the operator abort the session.

6. Installed fresh plugs (had already replaced air/fuel filters) & a known good MAF. Went back for the third try 2 days later.

7. Session opened, data input, barcode scanned, rear axle weight verified.

8. Exhaust "sniffed" at idle for 20 (or was it 30) seconds.

9. Dyno loaded, 2nd sniff at 1500RPM, 20-30 seconds.

10. Same at 2500RPM.

11. Operator has to make notation for CARB that my car was run in third gear vs. second gear for the 2500 RPM pull. (I guess CARB specifies 2500RPM at least 25MPH, 2nd gear preferred, must make notation otherwise)

12. Operator finishes visual checks (filler neck restrictor for unleaded fuel, O2 sensor/check engine light, etc.) & signs off on the sheet.

Basically CARB got smart. In the "old" days it was easier to sniff something other than the tested vehicle, hence the axle weight, cross checks, live feed via modem, etc.

Since mine was a first time check on an out of state car the CARB rep said I would only be allowed one non pass before being handed off to a CARB referee. I ***think*** a resident car is allowed another chance to become compliant before going to a referee...

YMMV, especially if a CARB rep isn't standing there when your car rolls on to that dyno.

drew_816

wow, that sounds way different than my experience. I have a local service station and I ended up getting on good terms with the guy. He basically glanced under the hood and did the dyno RPM thing. No scans or lifting. My muffler looks like swiss cheese too but he didnt care. I guess you gotta know where to go.

Hyperfish

Drew-

CARB has 35 districts in CA. Some have different smog quals than others. (IE: Rural Amador/Humboldt/Lake Cty. is MUCH easier vs. Metro LA, Sac, etc.)

The deal with getting busted on the exhaust was because of the CARB rep present at the time. The operator was cool enough to have have "overlooked" it IF the CARB rep wasn't there.

The one chance to pass deal was due to my car being a non resident car, first time for CA smog testing.

A resident car has a shot at the Gross Polluter deal, a non resident car is tougher & at the discretion of a referee.

The machne I was tested on had:

A. A countdown timer allowing 30 tests before a forced recalibration.

B. Firmware that actually only allowed a certain amount of time between tests/barcode scan. As the operator explained, I guess that's to reduce the odds of scanning the wrong car while it's being weighed & sniffing another...

All in all, not bad if you're in compliance, a PITA if you have problems...

It ain't a matter of "knowing where to go," it's a matter of which CARB district, & yes, the willingness of the place to draw a $50K fine if they get caught cheating.

I have a LOT of friends/clients that are approved Smog Stations but few that are willing to draw the fine & I won't put them in that kind of awkward position...

drew_816

that's interesting about the counties.

I don't think that the guy would get fined for my situation. My emissions were in spec and it is all original equipment. There were a lot of crazy questions the computer asked him and I think he may have been a smidge lenient. I was just commenting that your experience was way different than mine. Personally I'm one of those who doesn't have any interest in smog laws. I use the absolutely ignorant one-person-doesn't-matter clause or equally delightful logic that every electric car sold makes up for my indescretions .

So, I dont have any problem handing a shop guy a $100 bill if it's gonna save me the horrible experience of 5 smog tests where you get informed of obvious little problems after you drop $90 and with no reason or flexibility. Yeah it has to be that way because it's for millions of people but if I can sidestep the savage reaming I will. New cars should be smog legal but old cars whose owners work on them - well I think that's different. people are not commuting 10 hours a day in an 82 shark or an old muscle car. anyway thanks for the info on differnt counties. I'm not moving to an urban area!

Hyperfish

Drew-

Here's a map (.pdf) of the various zones & applicable programs:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdfd...p-Dec_2003.pdf

Additional info:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdpage....anges-2002.htm