Emissions test before the TEST

[MPDano]

Is there any devices out there that are not expensive to check our emissions before taking it to the Smog Test Station?

[Danglerb]

Leo, look for a good coupon and see if a local place will run a "pretest" of just the sniffer. I pay $32 for a smog test with cert and that includes a free retest.

OTOH you really don't want to get tagged as a gross polluter while you are still working on tuning, so pretest or check instead of regular test.

The cheapest thing I can think of DIY would be a A/F meter that works with a normal O2 sensor, next a wideband, and then some kind of CO meter, then $$$ for NO etc. Once the A/F is close as long as the cats are still good it should test OK.

[MPDano]

Thats the thing, I am sure it's the original Federalization Cat. I am trying to avoid the gross polluter tag.

[Jim Bailey 928]

If the smog test is part of the transfer of ownership there are no gross polluter exemptions to allow registration to a new owner..... zero, zip, NADA . Current owners under hardship rules are allowed to drive a known polluter after spending the requisite amount of money trying to fix their car BUT they can not sell the car to someone else without getting it smogged and legal. California the seller must pay for and provide a smog cert no more than 90 days old , if the do not then the buyer can get the car smogged / fixed and bill the seller collecting that money can be an issue however. Selling it "AS IS " is not an option no matter what many people believe.

[MPDano]

Wow, I didn't know this. The car was registered non-op since 2002 I believe. He can't smog a non-op car. The car was transferred owner (to me) via DMV last year and continues as a non-op as of now. The Title is in my name. I just got the car running last month. Is what you said applies to my situation?

[Jim Bailey 928]

From a Ca DMV site..."When selling a California registered vehicle, the registered owner of record must:

Release ownership by signing on line one of the title.
If the vehicle is, or was financed, the lienholder’s name appears in the legal owner section and their release with counter signature is required on line two.
Provide the purchaser with evidence of a valid smog certification, if applicable.
Smog certificates are good for 90 days from the date of inspection. The smog certification is not required if the owner or buyer signs a statement that smog certification was submitted with renewal fees within 90 days prior to the transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification). ........... "
You can smog a car on a "none op" you just may not drive it on the streets unless you get a one day pass which is easy to get.

[Danglerb]

Maybe, but ..."trying to collect" can be an issue.

I'm not sure if it has any time limit either. You still might be able to return the car and get your money back. I doubt the nonop status is a shield, but it might take a lawyer to sort it out. OTOH many junk car sellers on ebay now exclude sales to Cal residents except licensed dismantlers and I think car dealers.

But you want to skip all this, and just see how its running, so what I already said, plus if you do take it to a smog place make absolutely clear you do NOT want a smog check, just a pretest.

[Jim Bailey 928]

More info..."Q: I just purchased a vehicle and the seller did not provide a Smog Check. The vehicle needs expensive repairs in order to pass. What should I do?

A: Go back to the seller, inform them about Vehicle Code section 24007 (b)(2), and try to work things out amicably. If that fails, you have the option to pay for the repairs and the Smog Check yourself, and then take the seller to Small Claims Court to recover your costs. Although the law clearly supports the buyer, collecting on a small claims judgment can be difficult, so the amicable solution is usually best. If the seller is a state-licensed auto dealer, buyers have the additional option of filing a complaint with the DMV, which regulates new- and used-car dealers. .... "

[RyanPerrella]

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey 928

More info..."Q: I just purchased a vehicle and the seller did not provide a Smog Check. The vehicle needs expensive repairs in order to pass. What should I do?

A: Go back to the seller, inform them about Vehicle Code section 24007 (b)(2), and try to work things out amicably. If that fails, you have the option to pay for the repairs and the Smog Check yourself, and then take the seller to Small Claims Court to recover your costs. Although the law clearly supports the buyer, collecting on a small claims judgment can be difficult, so the amicable solution is usually best. If the seller is a state-licensed auto dealer, buyers have the additional option of filing a complaint with the DMV, which regulates new- and used-car dealers. .... "

Jim,

In your all knowing wisdom, any suggestions for collecting on a judgement?

I have one on a guy from a couple years ago and wouldnt mind harassing him about it. He's a real dirtbag! Whats the best way to collect now days?

[MPDano]

I've won a few small claims case in my days. If you know where the person Banks, you can get a Marshall to collect your judgement. Or if they have a Bussiness, you can have the Marshal sit at their Register untill all the Judgement is collected. Or if you know the person has something of value, put a Lien on it. There are lots of ways. Although some are difficult, it's not impossible. I'm not planning on doing this to the PO. I am just looking for a way to see what my levels are now and try to fix them if they are not within compliant levels.

[RyanPerrella]

Originally Posted by MPDano

I've won a few small claims case in my days. If you know where the person Banks, you can get a Marshall to collect your judgement. Or if they have a Bussiness, you can have the Marshal sit at their Register untill all the Judgement is collected. Or if you know the person has something of value, put a Lien on it. There are lots of ways. Although some are difficult, it's not impossible. I'm not planning on doing this to the PO. I am just looking for a way to see what my levels are now and try to fix them if they are not within compliant levels.

how do you get the bank information

This guy is one of those scheisters that has the business in his mothers name, the house in the wifes name, and all that kinda crap.

I know the guy changes bank accounts ever so often too. How does one get this information? I guess i need a SSN huh?

[Jim Bailey 928]

This site may help....."County of Los Angeles
Department of Consumer Affairs
Information Sheet


Print Close Window
Add Collection Costs & Interest to Your Judgment

If you win your case, the money the court awards you is called the judgment. You are called the Judgment Creditor and the person who owes you the money is the Judgment Debtor.

After you win your case, you may have to pay fees to the Sheriff, the Court Clerk and others to collect your money.

The money you spend to collect your judgment are your collection costs. The law allows you to add your collection costs and interest, to your judgment.

Common collection costs
Fees paid to the court clerk for:

Issuing a Writ of Execution
An Abstract of Judgment
A Judgment Debtor hearing
Fees paid to the Sheriff for:

Garnishing wages
Collecting from a bank account
A till tap or keeper
Fees paid to the Registrar-Recorder or DMV for:

Filing a lien on real property
Suspending a driver license
Be sure to keep receipts for these costs.

How often can I add collection costs?
You can add collection costs every time you spend money to try to collect your judgment. You have two years from the time you pay a collection cost to add it to your judgment.

How much interest can I add?
The law allows you to add 10% interest per year to your judgment. To calculate this amount, multiply the unpaid judgment by 10%.

Example: If your judgment is $5,000:
$5,000 (total judgment)
x 0.10 (10% interest)
= $500 (yearly interest)
Divide by 365:
$500 (yearly interest)
÷ 365 (days in a year)
= $1.37 (daily interest)

Multiply the daily interest by the number of days since the court entered the judgment. If the judgment was entered 100 days ago:
$1.37 (daily interest)
x 100 (days unpaid)
= $137 (total interest owed)

The daily interest x the number of days your judgment remains unpaid = the total interest owed.

How do I add my costs and interest to the judgment?
Take these four steps:

Get the form called Memorandum of Costs after Judgment, Acknowledgement of Credit, and Declaration of Accrued Interest.
List your collection costs and the interest you are owed. List any money the Judgment Creditor has already paid you. Make a photocopy of the front and back of the form.
Have someone over the age of 18 mail the photocopy to the Judgment Debtor and fill out the Proof of Service section on the back of the form. If you are only claiming interest, you do not have to mail a copy to the Judgment Debtor.
Keep a copy of the form. Return the original to the court clerk’s office. There is no fee for filing this form.
Unless the Judgment Debtor objects to the costs being added, the court will review your form and add allowable costs to your judgment.

Court forms are available here and at California Courts - Forms. Select "Small Claims" from the pull down menu. Forms are also available at the Court Clerk's office.

Contact us for more information or speak with one of our counselors at (800) 593-8222. If you live outside of Southern California, call us at (213) 974-9759.

Updated March 1, 2008


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Sounds like they want to help , the DMV "suspending a drivers license" seems like a good way to mess with someone and "Garnishing wages " if the guy has a job .....most employers get real upset when they have to deal with that... I have been fortunate never to have to collect on a judgement !

[Landseer]

You guys all need to move to another state. Now. Run. I have never heard of such crazy laws. Nuts.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Landseer

You guys all need to move to another state. Now. Run. I have never heard of such crazy laws. Nuts.

You have no idea. Yet, we love it and the high cost of living too. I never thought I would buy an average home for 1/2 million $$. It's the year round 75 degrees which makes us loco

[Landseer]

How can somebody afford that? 100 year mortage? Seriously?

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Landseer

How can somebody afford that? 100 year mortage? Seriously?

You can save a bit of money by driving an old Porsche.

You buy a small house, pay on it for years, get a better job, move and use the equity as a down payment on the next one, pay on it for years, repeat as the real estate market continues up.

[rjm65]

We'd all be beginning to sit pretty out here in Kawleefornea if Ahhhnold hadn't let SB-42 fall by the wayside, and thereby bringing an end to the 30 year rolling window smog law.

[MPDano]

You can smog a car on a "none op" you just may not drive it on the streets unless you get a one day pass which is easy to get.

This is true if the car is "Running," but in my case it was physically Non-Op "Not Running/Seized."

[MPDano]

I think I will do the "Pre Test" that Mike is suggesting, this will give me an idea of what may need replacing or not. I am still waiting for my Brand New Diverter Valve, which does affect the CO according to the Chilton Book I have.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey 928

You can smog a car on a "none op" you just may not drive it on the streets unless you get a one day pass which is easy to get.

Not anymore, something changed a few months ago at CA DMV and they absolutely will not issue a temporary permit without a failed smog test first.