Tamper Fail :-( Smog testing and a MAF on a 85 911
 

I'm a newbie Porsche owner and just failed my first smog test (after purchasing) for having an Autoauthority MAF. The MAF is on an 85 engine that is installed in my 1982 911 SC. I'm the third owner and do not have the original air intake system. The Autoauthority MAF installation includes a matching custom chip for the ECU.

The car passed it's smog check in April when I purchased the car. The Autoauthority MAF was installed in 1994 and the car has passed every smog test since then without any apparent swapping out of the system. The car also has an SSI exhaust which was swapped out in the past to pass emissions. I have not reinstalled the SSIs yet ...

Authoauthority has not been very helpful (no apparent C.A.R.B number for the MAF). THere is however a C.A.R.B number for the chip.

The car is a daily driver that I've been working to slowly recondition and rebuild myself. This list has been a great help so far and was hoping that someone here would have an idea on how to pass this inspection.

Should I just go get and install the original air intake an airsensor and chip ($$$)?
Is there anyway to convince the State that this is actually an improvement?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

Good ol Cali. So did it fail the visual and the dyno, or just the visual.

You have to go back to stock for smog checks. I've never heard of anyone convincing the State to change it's standards.

I think you just got unlucky with the smog station you used. As you said it passed for purchase of the vehicle with the MAF already in place. I have a Split Second MAF on my '87 and it has been a non-issue twice for me and however many times the PO had to get it smogged.

Does anyone know if the tech's reason for no pass is recorded in some way that Paul can't just go another station, maybe the one used at purchase?

Try a different station, say.....Seattle.

The guy at the smog check said my 82 car tested cleaner than most new Porsche's he'd tested. So - it only failed for the visual. On the paper work it says Comprehensive Visual Inspection: TAMPERED, Functional Check: PASS, Emissions Test PASS. There's a written note saying Autothority Mass Flow sensor not on after market DB. When I called the state they had a note in the computer that mentioned Autoauthorit - but not that it was a MAF. The smog guy claimed there is a process to get a referee ... and some type of exemption. The guy from the CA Bureau of Automotive Repair was totally unhelpful and claimed that it takes a vendor $100K to get the required C.A.R.B. number to pass the test. After market products are clearly allowed if they have a C.A.R.B. number or are in some way identifiable as an OEM replacement. THe SMOG guy woud have been happy with a Porsche or Bosch label on the parts. This may be a path to a smog legal MAF if you used a 90s Porsche OEM Bosch MAF. He also indicated that a piece of paper from Autoathority indicating that the part is an OEM replace would be adequate. He just wanted some type of proof that would prevent him from losing his license or being fined $5k

I have no clue how this car passed smog for 16 years before I purchased it - the photo below shows that it's a very obvious modification.

So far my options seem to be:
- move to Seattle ($$$$$)
- replace MAF and chip with stock intake, air sensor and chip ($$$$)
- give the smog guy paperwork of some sort
- replace the Autoauthority MAF with a later Porsche MAF and
get a new tuned chip or somehow recalibrate the MAF ($$$)
- go to court ... they have sent me a bail notice already
see no reason why the Judge would give me a break even if the car has been
passing already for 16 years - but this could at least extend my deadline
past Jan 11


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1293673708.jpg

borrow someone else's airflow meter, air cleaner housing and computer. the original plug may still be there for the airflow meter.

It's that cheapo looking aftermarket "cone" filter that's the dead giveaway.

If you can get a stock airbox and modify it to cover that mess up (the filter, the aftermarket looking wiring, etc) you'll get past the visual 99% of the time.

[QUOTE=McLovin;5753655]It's that cheapo looking aftermarket "cone" filter that's the dead giveaway.

+1. think about the obvious. now maybe your car is "ugly" in the dmv computer.

Hummm ... I'm going to check into the following:

"""Certify Vehicles with Limited Parts Exemptions

Motorists whose vehicles fail a Smog Check because of missing or modified emission-related parts, must replace those parts. The BAR's Emissions Parts Locator service helps motorists locate difficult to find emissions parts or if the parts cannot be found, a Limited Parts Exemption is issued. When a Limited Parts Exemption is issued, the motorist must take his or her vehicle to a Referee Center for inspection. If it passes all other aspects of the Smog Check inspection, the vehicle will be certified. If the parts are available in time for the next required smog inspection, they must be installed before the vehicle can be certified. BAR's Emissions Parts Locator service can be reached at (800) 622-7733."""

Did you buy the car near you? Can you go to one of the stations from where it was previously tested? Though, now that you are in the system....

I think there is an issue here that hasn't been discussed much even though John cut through the chase with his answer:

- You have an Autothority MAF that is obviously aftermarket
- At the same time you have a 3.2 induction system that is not obviously aftermarket and did not raise an eyebrow with the smog tech

All you will need to pass smog with the same tech is to put your 3.2 induction system back to stock 3.2. I do not think you will need to install CIS to pass with your tech.

Finally just a question out of curiousity: Why are you retesting if the car passed smog in April? Selling? It may be cheaper to sell with no smog or out of state.

George

Put the stock air flow meter and chip back in, retest, and get on with life. Next time find a smog station that doesn't care that you have the MAF on there.

That only works if the part is No Longer Available from the dealer or several of the recognized suppliers.

JW has the best answer. You need to make friend with someone on this board and borrow (pay with scotch, beers, dinner) the original MAF sensor and airbox to pass and then put it back.

Smog pass issue
 

The smog tech and station owner are correct to fail the car as a tamper for the original parts.The B.A.R audits the older cars as these are in the HEP -high emmiter profile category and the only way maybe to make an appointment with the state refferee station through your local BAR office so they can certify it with the existing parts .The smog tech risks not only a HUGE FINE .loss of licence . and in recent cases of illegaly passing a car - JAIL TIME also. The CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD pulls no punches when it comes to HEP cars here in CALI.

If no one is closer, we can make a day of it and use my stock 86 parts and take it to the station that passed my car.

Warner

OOPs, Santa Rosa, CA

I find the whole CA line of reasoning borders on insane. It's EMISSIONS that is the issue and this car runs cleaner than it needs to yet because it's been modified over the course of 25 years it fails? Total BS.

I have the same MAF on my car, though it is not a problem in Oklahoma. I have not been able to find any documentation on it in several years of keeping an eye out. I don't think you will have much luck getting any CARB documents so back-to-stock seems like the best plan.

I think you said you had SSI's on it during the check.

If so, did they not pick up on in not having a CAT?

Also, I believe a motor change (3.2 efi into a 3.0 CIS car) is a whole different fine tooth comb approval process. Be careful you do not get flagged for that to.


I wonder if a C2 intercooler and turbo on a 3.2 Carrera would get noticed if the stock AFM / air cleaner were in place and a stock J pipe w 930 cat were in place?

I used to take my Euro Turbo in on a first thing Sunday morning for smog test. My thought being the guy was more worried about getting through it first cup of copy than if the shop owner might get flagged.

Thanks for all the help ... I'm going to meet with the smog guy Monday to try a creative approach - and then most likely will need to do the swap to original to actually pass.

>Did you buy the car near you?
>Can you go to one of the stations from where it was previously tested?
>Though, now that you are in the system....
I bought it in Sacramento and live in Mountain View, CA.

...
>Finally just a question out of curiousity: Why are you retesting if the car
>passed smog in April? Selling? It may be cheaper to sell with no smog or out
>of state.
Good question, the new registration demanded a new smog test, but it's clearly been less than a year. In hindsight I may have been able to just show the prior owners results from earlier this year.

If that MAF had a C.A.R.B. approved number on it, you probably wouldn't be in this situation.

The problem is that CARB wants the car to be able to pass in 100% stock trim. The reality of the situation? They're slowly raising the standards so in 100% stock trim our cars will eventually be unable to pass.

I have to echo the suggestions here... Borrow the stock AFM and ECU for your year engine. Swap it out for emissions testing. There are some around here that do that for other emissions equipment.

I had that happen before - the car was smogged for the sale but the registration becomes due with a test and they ignore the fact that it retested less than a year ago.

You can use any smog certificate if it is less than 90 days old, so April wouldn't have cut it.

Good Luck,

George

You could even buy a used MAF for $250 or less and I could sell you a chip for $100.
Not a bad idea to keep on hand for future.

Cheers,

Joe

>I think you said you had SSI's on it during the check.
No - the car has SSI's that came with it ... and I was just about to finally reinstall them on the car. Glad I was slow getting this done :-)
>If so, did they not pick up on in not having a CAT?
The guy did not even look - but at that point I'd already failed for the MAF

warner53 - many thanks for the swap offer! Santa Rosa is a strech since I need to take the car back to the same shop :-(
stlrj - 100$ for the chip would be great. Let me quickly shop harder for the MAF and will get back with you if I find one used.

I only have till Jan. 11th to get it fixed (slim chance given my work schedule). The state already sent me a "notice of bail". I will likely have to make a court appearance.

I plan to try and use VC 27156 on the smog guy plus a letter for his files tomorrow morning.
VC 27156 Prohibition Against Uncertified Vehicles and Devices (long shot)

Good luck nymble

I've missed the bullet. Registration stickers are in the mail!

I'd gotten a "notice of delinquent renewal", but had already paid the registration fees (two days before they were due). I called the DMV and after 3 attempts finally got into a phone queue to wait 20 minutes to talk to a human. The very nice DMV lady (rare) was very helpful and let me know that I was fully paid up. The delinquent notices are apparently send a day or two before the actual final due date.

She noticed that the stickers had not been sent, and that I'd had a smog check performed when I purchased the car in April. The recent Dec. check was not necessary (in her opinion). The Dec smog check showed as a "T" and she wondered why it was not an "F" for fail ... and then went ahead and after filling out some forms issued the stickers.

Whew. I can now go back to my slower repair/recondition schedule. A stock MAF will be in my shopping list :-)

I am so glad I don't have to deal with Californication. Even here in lefty land Massachusetts anything older than 15 years old needs no smog test. Just drove my '82 in, lights, horn, tires, wipers and a good brake pedal and $29 and your good to go.

Same goes for my '92 Landcrusher! All othe cars only need a smog every other year.

I tell ya they are trying to take all the old cars off the road, just like the cash for clunkers and buy back being proposed.

I'm glad you were able to kick the can down the road another year or two BUT , as some have alluded to above, you have a 3.2 in an SC. CA requires that a newer engine installed in an earlier car be inspected by a referee station and to have a BAR sticker issued.

I would be careful about getting involved with any referee station unless it is your intention to have the car BAR certified to the newer engine. The ref's look at the engine serial number to determine what emissions equipment is required to be installed. They will not pass you unless the 3.2 is stock and has all emissions related equipment in place including the evaporative fuel tank venting system.

My advice for next time would be to put the stock equipment back on and just take it to your local smog test station and play dumb. If you get hassled again you will have to take it to a referee and get a sticker. Then you are good to go and can get subsequent checks done at any smog check station.

I have a 3.2 in my 77 911s and went through this process. It was not a big deal and now the car passes its bi-annual inspections easily. Keep an eye out here on pelican for the parts you need. You should be able to find them very reasonably if you're not in a hurry. Good luck!

Final update on MAF - till next smog check
 

Very late putting final update on this thread - but:
1) talked DMV into skipping this smog test (since the car was new - this is earlier in discussion)
2) Went back to the smog place that it failed and got them to give me a "pass" by giving them a letter from a automotive parts company saying that the MAF did not increase emissions (company was "Nymble Works"). THe smog shop just wanted to have something on record
3) Just this month had the MAF cleaned up - pictures below, assuming this will help next time - but I plan to take it to the same shop again in two years :-)


Before picture of MAF
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308639157.jpg


After picture - MAF on back side and wireing cleaned up (thanks to Marvin at Rennshop)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308639072.jpg

Here's what I would do:

A: Get rid of that "cone" the next time you take it in for smog. Will a stock air cleaner fit?

B: Install a (gutted) stock MAF in place of the obvious hole(s) you have, run a fake wiring harness to it.

http://www.naautoparts.com/core/gett...0217%20007.JPG

C: Rent, borrow or steal a hot blonde with big knockers and bring her with you to the next smog appointment. Insist she stay seated in the passenger seat during the test...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1N1vXOuaF...nde-Girl-3.jpg

If the above doesn't work, I will pay for your re-test.

CA will fail almost any type of mod. e.g. if you install a LS3? V8 and have all the same parts but the exhaust manifold points a different direction relative to the engine you may fail. Borrow parts and retest and then go back after passing, but you will need to do this again in 2 years. Caveat emptor case in point.

To start with......
 

I'd take the sticker off of the MAF. Dead giveaway! If possible, find/make a sticker that matches what would be on the Porsche unit. If there is no lable on the Porsche unit, leave it blank. That along with the correct air filter should make it look "stock" enough to get by, especially since it is running clean. I would also not go back to the same testing station so that there would be no "oh, yeah, I remember you" syndrome. Ask around to see if there is a particular testing location that is more favorable to cars such as your Porsche. Good luck! All this is yet another reason that I live in Georgia rather than Kalifornia!

He re-located the MAF out-of-sight.

See post # 32.

If you wanted to be a hard a$$ ask the PO and smog check station to supply the required parts or you would like to return the car. In CA it is the sellers responsibility to provide the car for sale in smog passing condition or is it just that it passed a smog check. I wonder what a court would say. The PO and/or smog check station owner could just say, when it was sold the original equip. was there.

Read 1st post...

The point is in my opinion the car was represented as able to pass a correctly administered smog check. It was sold to you in a condition that will not pass a correctly conducted smog check. If anything can be done or is wanted to be done regarding this is another issue.

I doubt the "warranty" on a smog check is indefinite. He'd have to prove fraud/collusion between/by the PO and/or the station that smogged it @ sale.