I FAILED the TEST ONLY smog check!

[Emission]

Originally posted by dvkk
The problem is your CAT. They don't last forever, and 18 years is unusually long.
Even with the way its tuned now, you should expect to see results of less than .02%CO and 5ppm of HC with a new CAT.

How much is a new CAT?

[Joe Bob]

You CAN test the cat.....stick the probe in a test hole prior to the cat and get a reading....or remove it and do the same. My cats are after the 02 sensor....I used that for a test port.

[banjomike]

Originally posted by Emission
How much is a new CAT?

I was wondering the same, so I looked. The factory cat is like $1400!!!! But you can get a free flowing aftermarket cat for $420 right here at PP! It's sporty, it's green, it's shiney and new!

[Emission]

In August, after failing the smog test, I got busy with work so I got an extension from the DMV and basically parked my car for a few months.

Now, I want to drive it again so I had it tested. Well, I failed the smog test again today. This is after I replaced the fuel filter and "leaned" the engine out (to the point it would barely idle). Personally, I think the RPM of the engine was way too low... barely above idle with a load!

I think I need a new CAT. I hear the State of California will help pay for repairs. Will they help pay for a CAT?


ORIGINAL TEST IN AUGUST:

15 MPH - 1959 RPM

CO2 - 13.88
O2 - .46
HC - 47
CO - .82
NO - 292

25 MPH - 1939 RPM

CO2 - 13.90
O2 - .41
HC - 36
CO - .81
NO - 259


TEST TODAY:

15 MPH - 1240 RPM

CO2 - 14.08
O2 - .81
HC - 71 = PASS
CO - .74 = PASS
NO - 713 = PASS

25 MPH - 1375

CO2 - 14.00
O2 - .89
HC - 51 = PASS
CO - .74 = FAIL
NO - 51 = PASS

[tiorio]

This is crappy news for me...

I had my car running freakin perfect and I got my 1 yr renewal.

2% of Californians get a 'random' smog check requirement. Statistics doesn't work for me when I play the lottery but with the CA DMV, boy howdy I'm one of the 2% this time around!

It's extortion AFAIC. Bloody extortion. More questions in a new topic...

[TedSlick]

Originally posted by Emission
I think I need a new CAT. I hear the State of California will help pay for repairs. Will they help pay for a CAT?

Yeah they will. At least they used to. Go to the DMV website for details. As I recall, when I had to get a CAT for my older pickup, you need to call the Bureau of Auto Repair and let them know you failed a 'Test Only' smog check. They will send you an application for a $500 repair voucher. Unless you are very low income, you pay the first $100.

One drawback is they will force you to take it to one of their affiliated repair stations. The one I went to was quite lame. Maybe you'll have better luck.

On my truck, the voucher covered the entire repair (new CAT). However, on the P-car it may not cover even half???

Good luck with it. Upside is you'll probably never need to sweat the test again.

[edit]:
Try this link:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdPage.asp?Body=/geninfo/factsheets/Consumer_Assistance_Program-Sep_2004.htm

[Emission]

Originally posted by TedSlick
Yeah they will. At least they used to. Go to the DMV website for details. As I recall, when I had to get a CAT for my older pickup, you need to call the Bureau of Auto Repair and let them know you failed a 'Test Only' smog check. They will send you an application for a $500 repair voucher. Unless you are very low income, you pay the first $100.

One drawback is they will force you to take it to one of their affiliated repair stations. The one I went to was quite lame. Maybe you'll have better luck.

On my truck, the voucher covered the entire repair (new CAT). However, on the P-car it may not cover even half???

Good luck with it. Upside is you'll probably never need to sweat the test again.

[edit]:
Try this link:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdPage.asp?Body=/geninfo/factsheets/Consumer_Assistance_Program-Sep_2004.htm

Thanks. I will call them tomorrow and report back in this thread...

[Emission]

OK... here is where I stand. After "resting" through the holidays, I decided to attempt to get my 930 smogged again...

Today, I paid my mechanic to take it to "his guy" and get it smogged for me. It was $150, but I was pretty sure to pass.

I failed (barely) - again. Same thing, too much CO. He leaned the mixture, and the LAMBDA control kept making it rich again at that low RPM. Grrrrr.....

My wrench did some investigating and found the smog pump belt gone (it spins free - so it's not seized). He also suspects the (original with 130,000 miles) CAT is bad.

So, here is what I am going to do...

Pay my wrench to put a new belt on the smog pump (belt + labor = $200). Have him smog it again ($100).

If it fails, I take the car home and buy an aftermarket CAT ($505 + $60 in parts/gaskets) and put it on myself. Then, I smog it again. It should pass.

So, this frickin' CA Smog experience has cost me a minimum $360 (original smog $60 + new charges $300) and could cost me upwards of $950! Damn Kalifornia!

(Oh, in any case... the CAT is coming off when this hell is over - it's test pipe time. I'll put the CAT back on every two years.)

Thanks for letting my cry on your shoulders...

[tiorio]

Hey man, that's what this over-legislation forces the consumer to do! Protect the really expensive CAT by test-piping between renewals!

A tad ironic that the tight rules about smog and the high cost of replacement end up contributing to worsening the environment they were designed to protect.

BTW, I think with those numbers you should be ok once the smog pump is operational. Make sure to change the little smog pump air filter as well!

Good luck

[Joe Bob]

Hmmm, if you knew someone with analyzer....you could do the changes and then test for FREE....hmmmmm, who could that be?

[Emission]

Originally posted by mikez
Hmmm, if you knew someone with analyzer....you could do the changes and then test for FREE....hmmmmm, who could that be?

I know, I know... you offered your services to me way back in August (when I thought this was just a minor hurdle).

If I don't pass tomorrow, I'll be sure to take you up on your very kind offer!

[Emission]

Originally posted by vash
$200 for a smog belt change? you sure?

good luck, i hope the smog gods smile on you.

cliff

My wrench (RS Enterprises in Ventura, CA - 30 miles from here) says the belt is about $40. The labor is 1.5 - 2 hours @ $85 (or whatever he charges).

In nearly three years, the only thing I have every paid a wrench to do on my car is a valve job and an electrical issue (and I've done 99% of everything else). At this point, I am writing checks to make the problem go away... away... away...

Yes, I'll light my real wood-burning fireplace tonight in honor of the smog gods!!!!

[scottb]

Originally posted by mikez
Hmmm, if you knew someone with analyzer....you could do the changes and then test for FREE....hmmmmm, who could that be?

Know anyone with a tester that has a new 386 motherboard in it?

[stlrj]

Did you ask the test only station about the Consumer Assistance Program, CAP, which if you qualify will mean you only pay $100 of the $500 limit and the governator picks up the rest.

I went that route when my Grand Caravan failed the test only and I got a new cat for only $100.

Can you beat that?

-Joe

[Emission]

Yes, I applied under the "Repair Assistance: Test-Only Eligible Applicant" program. I'm waiting for a reply.

After I pay the first $100, they will pay the next $500. Unfortunately, a retail installation of a CAT (part and labor) could be much more than that...

[banjomike]

1st: Smog pump belts are less than $10 here at PP

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_enginD_pg1.htm#item1

It should take about 10 minutes if you have never done it before! This will make a difference. Leave it connected when you are done, it sucks less than 1/4 hp and cleans the exhaust.

2nd: The second test was done improperly. Their rule book says to do the test in 2nd gear UNLESS using second gear causes the engine to run slower than 1500 rpm (or faster than 2500?). I'd go back to that test place and make them read their rulebook, and make them do it again for free. (once you've installed the belt!)

[Emission]

Originally posted by banjomike

2nd: The second test was done improperly. Their rule book says to do the test in 2nd gear UNLESS using second gear causes the engine to run slower than 1500 rpm (or faster than 2500?). I'd go back to that test place and make them read their rulebook, and make them do it again for free. (once you've installed the belt!)

Interesting - and a valid point.

The smog pump belt was installed... and the car failed again (it never completed the test, they shut it down before the red flag). It appears the CAT is shot.

[rsrfan]

Emission,
I am in the same boat as you. Previous owner of my turbo replaced the cat with a bypass and I am just barely failing the smog test here in Nevada. Carl's Place (local wrench) cannot get it to pass without a new cat. Here is my dilemma. I just purchased a monty exhaust off the board and wife will flip if I buy another exhaust just to pass emissions. As I type there is a cat and muffler on ebay for $250.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7950126047&category=33630

If you end up buying one, I will GIVE you my test pipe if I can borrow it.

I am going to try disabling an injector first and will see if John Walker's suggestion works.

JP

[Emission]

Originally posted by rsrfan

I am going to try disabling an injector first and will see if John Walker's suggestion works.

JP

I think I just solved two birds with one stone...

I am going to "borrow" a good CAT for the test, then "gut" my CAT when it is off the car. After the test, I put my CAT back on... and I essentially will have a test pipe. Now, that won't help me in 8/06 (when my next smog is due)...

See if you can borrow a CAT for the test...

[rsrfan]

Maybe we can form a C-Gruppe. Stands for cat borrowers. I am serious about this one...