First Experience w/ California's New Emmisions Check

[banjomike]

So here are the actual numbers. As you can see my engine is in a good state of tune and my catalytic converter is clearly working.

Test RPM %CO2 %02
15mph 2630 14.2 0.8
25mph 2547 14.5 0.6

HC(ppm)
Max Ave Meas
201 47 30
168 37 20

CO%
Max Ave Meas
1.3 0.2 0.26
1.1 0.17 0.02

NO (ppm)
Max Ave Meas
1314 554 230
1174 468 229

So they failed me anyway. It says, "Timing fails at 8deg BTDC, should be at 5deg ATDC."

Does this make anysense to anyone here? Is there any rpm at which the spark should fire at 5deg after top dead center?

[pgsandiego]

Im not sure, but I think stock for emissions for my 82SC here on the left coast is 5 degrees BTDC with an error of +/- 2 degrees. Your 8 BTDC would be "failing." I think they made a mistake regarding ATDC vs BTDC. Again, I could be wrong about all of this...

Good luck! Sounds like you just have to get confirmation on the timing setting, set the timing, and you'll pass! (get it "pre-inspected" next time to be sure you're OK).

Patrick

[Eagledriver]

My 72 is timed at 5 ATDC at idle with the vacuum line connected.

-Andy

[klaucke]

Is their statistic for a 2.7 litre motor, where the timing may be 5 ATDC and your 3.0 takes 8 BTDC?

[nostatic]

Funny you should mention it...I had mine tested today:

Test RPM %CO2 %02
15mph 1549 13.8 1.8
25mph 2517 12.8 3.1

HC(ppm)
Max Ave Meas
214 47 22
181 37 10

CO%
Max Ave Meas
1.36 0.20 0.08
1.16 0.17 0.04

NO (ppm)
Max Ave Meas
1364 554 142
1224 468 150

I passed. They even check the fuel cap...they screw it into some device that checks the seal. And lots of poking around with flashlights...scary.

[MY83SC]

I have had my car tested twice, under California's new emission check. Passed with flying colors. As far as an SC goes, as long as it is tuned to factory specs...and hasn't been richened for proper running catalytic ruining tune. You will do fine.
Actually, as everyone here knows. There are 2 states of tune. 1) I need to pass smog....and 2) I want my car to run as best as it can.

[stlrj]

It makes perfect sense that they would fail a 76 with a 3.0 motor because they are using the 76 specs on your motor. You need to take your car to a referee station and have it approved for the 3.0 so they can smog it to 3.0 specs.

Been there with my 3.2 in my 74.

Cheers,

Joe

[Bones]

God I feel for you guys, I just took my '78SC car for it's annual test and the tester took one look at it and wrote the 'pass' certificate.

[banjomike]

DAMN damn damn! So I took it to the referee station this morning (missed two hours of work ) Convinced them it was a '79 motor. Showed them the air pump, cat, and EGR. Timing was set perfectly. But this time I actually failed the emissions test.



Test RPM %CO2 %02
15mph 1531 18.8 0.3
25mph 1750 14.3 0.3
.........!!^^^!!
HC(ppm)
Max Ave Meas
201 47 69
168 37 65

CO%
Max Ave Meas
1.3 0.20 1.61
1.1 0.17 0.89

NO (ppm)
Max Ave Meas
1314 554 414
1174 468 302

So I failed on CO. I didn't notice it until I was back here at the office, but they ran the 15mph test at 1531rpm (2nd or 3rd gear?) and the 25mph test at 1750rmp (3rd or 4th gear?). That's insane and totally unfair. No F@#$%@!# kidding it failed! 911s aren't supposed to be lugged down that low! This is getting really expensive. 2 hours of the weekend wasted. 2 hours of vacation time burned. almost $110 in test fees so far. All for a motor that is bone stock and runs clean!

[JNadal]

Move to the east coast! We could always use a few more Pcar people around here!

[JMar]

Originally posted by banjomike

So I failed on CO. I didn't notice it until I was back here at the office, but they ran the 15mph test at 1531rpm (2nd or 3rd gear?) and the 25mph test at 1750rmp (3rd or 4th gear?). That's insane and totally unfair. No F@#$%@!# kidding it failed! 911s aren't supposed to be lugged down that low! This is getting really expensive. 2 hours of the weekend wasted. 2 hours of vacation time burned. almost $110 in test fees so far. All for a motor that is bone stock and runs clean!

Those idiots can't do anything right. They did the same thing to me and my 951 about 3 years ago...ran the test in like 3rd or forth gear at some insane rpm...I went back and told them to use second and it passed fine.

[bigrubberjeep]

Don't get too bent out of shape bajomike - The state of california will pay for repairs to pass smog inspection up to $500

I did this program on my Jeep Wrnagler, I spent $80 on a new header bolt that was broken and the state replaced my ERG valve, Canister and a new Cat. Basicly I got my car fixed by the state.

It's called the CAPS program, Search it onthe Califnoria Trans web site.

[stlrj]

Mike, you ain't seen nothing yet.

It took me about a half dozen trips to Petaluma to get mine refereed. The first test ended because my oil level was too low...go figure. Then they failed me again because my timing was off. My 3.2 was a late production 86 with the 87 control unit and they were using specs for an early production engine...

Don't give up!

Joe

[banjomike]

I looked into the CAPS program and they will pay if you goto one of their certified shops, and none of them are Porsche mechanics. Fortunately I don't need a repair, just a fair test.

Scheduled again for tomorrow afternoon at a different referee. My mechanic, Bill Eason, is going to adjust the mixture a bit for me right before the test. He is a great guy. Eason Autoworks in Oakland, CA really near Emeryville. The neighborhood sucks, but the the service is 1st rate and he passes his rental savings on in the form of a great hourly rate.

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by banjomike
I looked into the CAPS program and they will pay if you goto one of their certified shops, and none of them are Porsche mechanics. Fortunately I don't need a repair, just a fair test.

Scheduled again for tomorrow afternoon at a different referee. My mechanic, Bill Eason, is going to adjust the mixture a bit for me right before the test. He is a great guy. Eason Autoworks in Oakland, CA really near Emeryville. The neighborhood sucks, but the the service is 1st rate and he passes his rental savings on in the form of a great hourly rate.

Well, I was just trying to help out.

[banjomike]

Well I squeeked by today with a 1.28 CO out of a MAX of 1.30! Whew! I went back and argued that it was unfair to run the test with the car at 1500rpm under load! So they got out their manual and it states that the test should be run in 2nd gear unless the appropriate speed (15 and 25mph) will cause the engine to be running slower than 1500rpm or faster than 3000rpm. So they ran it in first. The guy with his foot on the pedal must have been sympathetic. Yesterday some other person kept it right on 15mph (they are supposed to keep it between 14 and 16 mph) this guy ran it just a bit faster. Instead of 1530rpm it was averaged at about 1560rpm and maybe that was what made the difference.



with that probe up there I felt sorry for the old girl, they didn't even lube it!?!

[JP911]

So is this the last time you have to have your 76 smogged? I haven't been keeping up with the potential repeal of the rolling exemption, so maybe not. If it is the last time then congrats!!!

[MichiganMat]

Feels good to be exempt, WEEEE!!!!!!

Not looking forward to testing my Subaru though, gotta find a 4wd dyno. Hopefully I'll have moved out by then.

[Randy Webb]

$500?? I'm thinking about the tuneups and induction dressup goodies you could get for that.

I hope you all realize that global warming will make pollution worse, causing tighter controls....

[john70t]

Smog is more politics than practice. Compare the total emmisions from a new 10mpg SUV driven by twitchy-leadfoot-jane vs. a classic auto kept at a constant speed.

Guarenteed, Pcars are comparitively pretty dirty when run in stop-n-go traffic. But, they aren't designed to be driven that way, and for engine longevity they have to run run a little rich and cool to be on the safe side.
Most cars over 10 years old will fail a loaded-mode smog if there's a jerk technician at the wheel who's stomping on the pedal.