Passed California smog test today!!

[MaSnaka]

After being turned away by several shops..."we only work on air cooled porsches or we only work on 2000 and newer cars or we cannot work on porsche emissions"...blah blah blah. My frustration level was going up. I bought this '86 944 from a friend who replaced the catalytic converter but it still failed. I replace the O2 sensor, air filter, crank sensors, fill it up with premium gas 92oct 30 minute drive on the freeway to warm it up. Fail again!!! ahhhh! Tech was nice but said he could do no work on Porsches, say what???? He did say if the air flow meter could be adjusted to richen up the A/F mixture it would help. So the places he referred me to could not help... see comments above. So today I called this smog shop located in the cheap gas gas station. He says "sure bring it in we can fix it and give you the certificate too". So I did, the tech tells me the 944 is notorious to fail the NOX. My car was way high x2.5 above the max. He is a former 944 owner. Said he didn't think it would ever pass. Said $180 to diagnose, not fix. I can get an exemption from the BAR after I spend $650 trying to pass but the exemption only lasts 2 years then I am SOL because they only give it once. So I am screwed, kicking myself for buying this car. Anyway I leave the car and he promises to park inside the garage overnight and do the best he can. Meanwhile I'm figuring out how to register out of state with a family member. Then 1 hour later I get the call. Car is ready you PASSED. The tech adjusted the Mass air flow meter and I passed by a very good margin well below the limits. YAH!! I think I got gouged a little on the price ($320 total) but am so happy that I have a legitimate pass result I don't care.

I hope my story can help the next guy. California is tough.

John

[azbanks]

Congrats. We have emissions requirements in Arizona but they are not as bad as CA.

[jjeffries]

Thanks for posting this. I’m lucky to be in a state that exempts old cars but all driveability knowledge is good. Maybe yours was only lean at idle but good to have that resolved. John

[Fast Freddy 944]

None in Texas, GOP state, just a safety inspection, and im on my way. God Bless Texas!

[v2rocket_aka944]

Rather deal with CA smog (which is really not that hard to pass...make it look and run like stock and you will pass...BTDT for 12 years) than TX or other state "safety" inspection.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Nah, I'll always stick with saving some bucks and passing the safety test instead of have some person saying I wont pass. I had a 87 Fiero gt, I put a fresh engine in it, I put new cats on it, and had everything professional fixed. I took it to a smog test, and the dufas failed me 3 times. I asked why am I failing, he said he would have to tear my engine apart to find out what was wrong. I told him to pound salt, and found another shop, and my car passed with flying colors. So Im glad I have no bull crap inspection test wasting money. My new cars always passes the test, but my car is a classic and the safety test suits me just fine, no shenanagans!

[jjeffries]

Where I’m at - Connecticut- vehicles 1995 and before get no emissions test, and no safety tests for anyone. Makes for easy ownership of our old jalopies.

John

[djnolan]

I think in all states except CA, vehicles older than 25 years are emission test exempt. Anyone know differently?

[v2rocket_aka944]

Originally Posted by djnolan

I think in all states except CA, vehicles older than 25 years are emission test exempt. Anyone know differently?

No, in many states anything after 1975 still gets tested. Tennessee among them.

Though after 25 years you can get "Antique" tags which exempt you from smog but you can only drive the car on weekends and holidays.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Don't really care, its a non-issue. I shall enjoy my car and not have to worry about any bull carp, and press on. God Bless Texas!