Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (CA) ?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (CA) ? (November Soul)
When I get to the smog station...I leave my vette running in the parking lot, so it stays hot.
I usually run it really hard., Like on the freeway....to blow it out, before I get to the ****, whoops, smog station. Like I said above I keep it running at idle until they call my car up.
Rev it up to clean it out.
Don't know anything else to say.
If you haven't messed with the smog parts, then no problem.
GoodLuck
tony
:chevy :chevy :chevy :chevy
I usually run it really hard., Like on the freeway....to blow it out, before I get to the ****, whoops, smog station. Like I said above I keep it running at idle until they call my car up.
Rev it up to clean it out.
Don't know anything else to say.
If you haven't messed with the smog parts, then no problem.
GoodLuck
tony
:chevy :chevy :chevy :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (oldace84)
Easy...
Make sure you have a fresh set of spark plugs (or at least maybe a few months old), put some 91 (or higher if you can get it) octane in. Drive it up and down the freeway for about 20 minutes. Then, go straight over to the smog check station, and have them put it on the rollers right away. If your 86 is entirely stock, you should be fine. With a 100% Stock 87, mine passed with FLYING colors!
Make sure you have a fresh set of spark plugs (or at least maybe a few months old), put some 91 (or higher if you can get it) octane in. Drive it up and down the freeway for about 20 minutes. Then, go straight over to the smog check station, and have them put it on the rollers right away. If your 86 is entirely stock, you should be fine. With a 100% Stock 87, mine passed with FLYING colors!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (TIMSPEED)
Ask for a free pre-test. This will tell you if it'll fail the emissions or not. If they don't offer a free pre-test, then call somewhere else. Many of them will charge you for the pretest if you don't get it fixed there and smogged there afterwards.
If you do your own work, the pretest doesn't help you much, unless the tech is cool and lets you tweak it before the test.
Check the other things.. make sure your filter is clean, make sure all the plug wires are snug, MAKE SURE YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON WITH THE KEY ON (but with the car off). Make sure your idle is 600-1000 or so. If it's more stable with the A/C on, then turn that on before the test (the engine will run more efficiently.) That's about all I can think of.
And be sure to do all the hood opening and driving into the garage yourself. Those idiots never know how to use the parking brake or get in reverse or open the hood.. :rolleyes:
Good luck!
If you do your own work, the pretest doesn't help you much, unless the tech is cool and lets you tweak it before the test.
Check the other things.. make sure your filter is clean, make sure all the plug wires are snug, MAKE SURE YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON WITH THE KEY ON (but with the car off). Make sure your idle is 600-1000 or so. If it's more stable with the A/C on, then turn that on before the test (the engine will run more efficiently.) That's about all I can think of.
And be sure to do all the hood opening and driving into the garage yourself. Those idiots never know how to use the parking brake or get in reverse or open the hood.. :rolleyes:
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 1
From: Henderson NV
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (CA) ? (November Soul)
L98's generally pass smog tests with relative ease, unless the owner has butchered the smog system or stripped the cats, etc. But having a well-warmed engine and a clean air filter, good quality gas and the engine in a reasonable estate of tune naturally helps.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (CA) ? (November Soul)
.....I've got a feeling it's gonna be a problem to get it thru......
Some simple pre-checks:
Arrive at the smog station with a "heated" engine at the appointed time.
Make sure all smog hoses are secured tightly, no end splits. If any hose has an end split, either replace it, or repair it. Wrapping the hose-end with tape will not pass.
Remove the PCV and clean it with carb cleaner. Make sure the ball "rattles" before re-installing the valve.
Timing is allowed to be "off" spec plus or minus 3 degrees. Check the timing spec posted on the radiator shroud, and do a prelim timing check.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (November Soul)
"Test only" stations are supposed to be un-biased. I guess the thought is that they can't sucker you into repairs by intentionally failing your car. But with test-only, I'd bet they won't offer a free pretest, and I'd bet they'd charge you whether it passed or failed.
I think the best tip is to get it warmed up, if they're not ready for you just yet, tell em you have to run to the store real quick or something. Go grab a magazine and a drink and RELAX! :yesnod:
When I took my vette in, they were persistent about me waiting there in the parking lot... so it cooled down by the time they tested it.
It passed with flying colors, even with suspected PCV system and vapor cannister system being clogged, and a fishy egr and really sooty intake, and a rich mixture.
I think the best tip is to get it warmed up, if they're not ready for you just yet, tell em you have to run to the store real quick or something. Go grab a magazine and a drink and RELAX! :yesnod:
When I took my vette in, they were persistent about me waiting there in the parking lot... so it cooled down by the time they tested it.
It passed with flying colors, even with suspected PCV system and vapor cannister system being clogged, and a fishy egr and really sooty intake, and a rich mixture.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (CentralCoaster)
my 90 with mods (super ram, ZZ9 cam, AFR heads) passes everytime with the stock chip and exhuast on it.
I had my POS truck fail, had to go to test only, I put a new carb and a bottle of fuel treatment from pep boys, something to help emissions. you run that through a tank of gas, and then go test on a refill.
I had to go to test only, so I put the MSD on the truck and chnged the plugs and oil. it passes no problem now.
I went to the test only on the corner of sycamore and cochrane. I was in and out in about 30 minutes. Im not sure if it is part of the 76 station or not.
I had my POS truck fail, had to go to test only, I put a new carb and a bottle of fuel treatment from pep boys, something to help emissions. you run that through a tank of gas, and then go test on a refill.
I had to go to test only, so I put the MSD on the truck and chnged the plugs and oil. it passes no problem now.
I went to the test only on the corner of sycamore and cochrane. I was in and out in about 30 minutes. Im not sure if it is part of the 76 station or not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,080
Likes: 0
From: Corvette valley Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Tips & Tricks for Smog Test (CA) ? (November Soul)
Do a plug change and replace the air filter element and drive it on the freeway for 5 miles or more and you should be fine.
