Failed Calif Smog Test...need advice!!

[dvkk]

Originally posted by sammyg2
yep, it is illegal to sell a used cat.
Not sure if that applies to individuals or just companies, but salvage yards won't even talk about it.

I don't get that one. Anyone know what the logic is behind that law?

[ruf-porsche]

Did you drive the car around prior to taking it in for the smog check? In Illinois they advise you to drive the car for at least ten miles before bringing it in for a smog test. A cold engine will be polluting more than an engine that is at operating temperature. Just driving a couple of miles does not warm up an engine.

[MXMARK]

Andy, maybe someone up by you, in the local porsche club, has a good CAT and a stock chip you can use for testing. Ofcourse after a tune up, wires,cap,rotor,vavle adjust,air filter,new oil and filter,etc., like others have said before. Just an Idea. Mark

[84toy]

I have a complete exhaust system and a stock chip you can borrow but I live near Sacramento. PM me if needed

[MXMARK]

84toy Thanks,I knew that might work. I live too far away to get the same stuff to him. I hope it helps him. 84toy do you get to ride your LT very often. I love the ad on TV with the guy and his wife scraping the payment around the corners while driving the K1200LT in the mountains. Good stuff Mark

[carlos]

TUNE UP TUNE UP Valve adjustment Injector Cleaner Cat

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by dvkk
I don't get that one. Anyone know what the logic is behind that law?

Because they don't want to become an accessory to a crime.

WARNING:
A Federal fine of up to $2,500.00 can be assessed for removing or tampering with a catalytic converter.

Texas State Fines can be up to $25,000.00 for removing or tampering with a catalytic converter.

Most States now have individual fines for those who would remove or tamper with Catalytic Converters.

[ayeung]

I spent $400 for a repair shop to put in a new O2 sensor, and I just got it smog checked again and it passed! It barely passed though but it did!

Thanks for all your suggestions and help!

Andy

[moazam]

Originally posted by ayeung
I spent $400 for a repair shop to put in a new O2 sensor, and I just got it smog checked again and it passed! It barely passed though but it did!

Thanks for all your suggestions and help!

Andy

Sooo...did you get a tune up on the car?

You're very fortunate to have recieved the car from your brother, now you just have to make sure you maintain it properly. An '88 911 is an awesome car. Make sure you get the tune-up, valve adjustment, etc. and keep track of the records.

[jess5engine]

Just curious - how much did the O2 sensor cost? $400 sounds a little steep for the job, unless of course diagnostic time was included. If you plan on keeping the car, I would suggest Wayne's 101 Projects available through our host. You could've easily done that job yourself and saved a few bucks. Good luck.

[dvkk]

Originally posted by ruf-porsche
Because they don't want to become an accessory to a crime.

WARNING:
A Federal fine of up to $2,500.00 can be assessed for removing or tampering with a catalytic converter.

Texas State Fines can be up to $25,000.00 for removing or tampering with a catalytic converter.

Most States now have individual fines for those who would remove or tamper with Catalytic Converters.

Still don't see the logic. If you remove a dead cat and install a new cat, this is not considered tampering.

[Never Lift]

I was gonna say check the O2 sensor. I had a similar problem. I tried messing with the DME fuel switch and did two Smog pre tests. Finally I just took it to my mechanic and it turned out the O2 sensor wasn't plugged in all the way. My wrench leaned it out a tad and it passed. Spend the cash and get a tune up, it sounds like it needs one bad.

[ayeung]

The part itself (O2 sensor) was $175, but they charged me $180 for the labor(installation). No other diagnostics whatsoever. In retrospect, I think the price's pretty steep. Unfortunately I don't know how to work on cars so I couldn't put it in myself.

Well, I'm glad that it passed the smog test but I guess I'd better get a tune up and starting getting the regular maintenance on the car, as suggested by so many. I'm fortunate to receive this car from my brother but I really hope someone can recommend a good reasonably-affordable/honest auto shop in the SF bay area(SF/Peninsula) for me so that I can afford maintaining the car.

Any recommendation for an auto shop for the following work on the '88 carrera:
- tuneup (how much does it normally run for minor/major tuneup?)
- convertible top doesn't operate
- electrical repair/diagnostics (windshield wiper doesn't work well and rear mirror control doesn't work)...wiring problem

Thanks for all the help/info!

Andy

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by ayeung
The part itself (O2 sensor) was $175, but they charged me $180 for the labor(installation). No other diagnostics whatsoever. In retrospect, I think the price's pretty steep. Unfortunately I don't know how to work on cars so I couldn't put it in myself.

Andy

WOW

$180 bucks just to screw out a 02 sensor and screw back in a new one. If they had the right tool to remove and replace an 02 sensor it shouldn't have taken them more than 30 minutes (time to put it on the lift, time to take it off the lift) to replace the 02 sensor that works out to $360 per hour.

Learn something about taking care of your car or learn about being taken to the cleaner every time you need to bring it in.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by dvkk
Still don't see the logic. If you remove a dead cat and install a new cat, this is not considered tampering.

Replacing a dead Cat with a brand new is not what the law is about. It about people who replace a GOOD Cat with a "Test Pipe" or a GOOD Cat with a Cat that had it guts removed, that is what the tampering is all about.

[moazam]

Originally posted by ayeung

Any recommendation for an auto shop for the following work on the '88 carrera:
- tuneup (how much does it normally run for minor/major tuneup?)
- convertible top doesn't operate
- electrical repair/diagnostics (windshield wiper doesn't work well and rear mirror control doesn't work)...wiring problem

Couple of things..

My valve adjustment plus a bunch of small things cost me $300-$400 with labor and parts. This valve adjustment is done every 15k miles without fail. I had mine done at RMG and Bob let me watch the whole procedure and tried his best to actually show me how to do it myself.

In terms of the other repairs, I highly recommend that you buy the book "101 Projects for your Porsche 911". This book is available here at Pelican Parts. Make sure you buy the one *from* Pelican since it includes a CD, the Amazon.com version does not.

Even if you do not do the repairs yourself, this book will help you immensely in understanding the problem, the fix, and the possible expense involved.

As for mechanics, RMG in Sunnyvale is good, I hear Modderman in Mtn. View is also good. The Bay Area has a ton of very talented Porsche mechanics.

[KFC911]

Originally posted by ayeung
In retrospect, I think the price's pretty steep. Unfortunately I don't know how to work on cars so I couldn't put it in myself.

Thanks for all the help/info!

Andy

Hi Andy, You really should purchase Wayne's 101 Projects and a Bentley manual. With those books and the assistance readily available from the folks on this board, you CAN learn to work on it. Not only will it save you many $, but you will know that your 911 is maintained properly and you will 'learn' your car like you've never imagined. I know that's what happened to me...I'd never really turned a wrench before I purchased mine a couple of years ago, and now I'm constantly doing some modification or maintenance item, and now enjoy working on her just about as much as driving her (but not quite !). Give it a shot and don't feel intimidated... although I'm very much a novice compared to a lot of these guys, we all had to start somewhere. Good luck, and enjoy the ride!

[dvkk]

Originally posted by ruf-porsche
Replacing a dead Cat with a brand new is not what the law is about. It about people who replace a GOOD Cat with a "Test Pipe" or a GOOD Cat with a Cat that had it guts removed, that is what the tampering is all about.

I already understand that. I just don't see why its illegal for a wrecker to sell a perfectly good used cat.