MACH993

I know, BFD but I still feel compelled to share my celebration. Yesterday was the first smog test for my 993 since I owned it and I was a little nervous after reading the countless 993 related threads detailing various nightmare experiences on the subject. I had replaced the battery earlier this year but I never did the BMW Drive Cycle to set the readiness codes...just drove it as usual. I decided to give it a go anyway and took it in for the dreaded Calif. smog test...and it failed! So, I'm thinking f***! But the smog test dude said it had not thrown any readiness flags. He said, "Bro, no worries. It 'just' failed the emissions sniffer test." He said the cats had probably cooled down just enough while waiting in line to be tested. I drove it around the block and the smog dude hooked her up again and...bingo! I had a brand new bouncing Calif. smog certification! I'm good to go for another couple of years. Thanks for letting me share this completely inane event.

Mike Pezely

How often in Calif do you have to smog your car?

User 122821

Every second year.

Kika

I got an Actron to read the drive cycle codes, and to reset the CEL.

It is a worthwhile investment to make sure your monitors are set before you go in for the test. Another key is to make sure the motor is nice and hot.

Some also put a little extra pressure in the rear tires to reduce some rolling resistance.

Quadcammer

did my NJ one today too. piece of cake. I didn't even need the drive cycle.

David A

I failed the first time on my 95 too, I then let it idle for 10mn and passed.

Spokes

And the cost of this ritual?

MACH993

$58.00

jcochran1

Congratulations! I am fearful of my first test.

pirahna

It looks like you bought your car at De Laveaga Motors. Is your car by any chance a tiptronic?

MACH993

I did...and no, it's a manual. I think they had a silverTipronic for sale right after I bought mine.

sfbluenote

Congrats on passing the dreaded smog test….I just got myself a '96 C4 and one of the biggest incentives for me to get this particular car was the fact that the PO had just spent $11,000 (ouch!) on a major top end re build to address the SAI problem….seems to happen around 70 - 80K from what I read here on Rennlist.

speyer911

Many downsides to Porsche ownership in the Big Sky state. One Plus is no inspections/ emissions test.

Rick-A-Shay

MACH993…….
Did you have to take your car to a "Star Certified" smog inspection station? Had my '88 done this last summer and DMV requested a visit to a Star station. A relative of mine works at BAR and said they are tracking the performance of smog stations thru out the state. Star stations are more thorough in checking out cars for correct smog equipment.

Ed Hughes

Other than having a CEL issue, or other flag in OBDII, a properly running, and warmed up well, 993 should have no problems in Calif with smog.

I always drive mine hard on the way there to get good and warm, and arrive 10 minutes before they open, to be first in line. If there is a line, go back another time.