CA smog fail
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 14
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From: coronado CA
CA smog fail
hey so i just bought a 95 vette this past weekend i went to register it out here in Cali. (in the military) and it failed the smog test..it passed all the main components up at the top of page (ex. pcv,egr, o2 sensor,cat converter, etc.) but my HC failed ( max is 34 i scored a 565) and CO% (max .32 mine got 11.31) i know emissions are very hard to tell whats wrong just by me saying what it failed for but if anyone could give me an idea, or any help it would be much appriciated. or if someone knows of a shop where i can pay to have it passed 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
A quick and easy (not cheap) way of passing is a new set of cats.
That'll get you through the test and afterwards you can do further troubleshooting.
Also burn down the fuel and add some alcohol to swing the HC down some more.
That'll get you through the test and afterwards you can do further troubleshooting.
Also burn down the fuel and add some alcohol to swing the HC down some more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
This is labor intensive, but costs nothing and I'm not saying you necessarily want to do this, but on my 96, when I dropped the exhaust from the rear of the cats and shone a light up into them, the passenger side cat honeycomb was in perfect shape; the driver's side honeycomb was completely gone. nothin. nada.... A new cat and a good tune up and that car sailed through California smog.
people often assume high HC is the result of an overly rich fuel mixture ...and it ain't always necessarily so. A lean misfire condition can play havoc ; on my 86 work truck with a 460 c.i. engine and no cats the HC dropped from 1320 to 180 after I plugged various small and not so small vacumn leaks. Again this is usually an inexpensive fix involving rubber vacumn hoses, tightening down bolts etc. One tip, check and verify that the the plastic vacumn brake booster can hold vacumn . If the internal diaphram fails or if the case cracks on the backside, it may not be readily apparent.
if it isn't the cheap stuff, then it's probably time to start replacing parts.
good luck.
people often assume high HC is the result of an overly rich fuel mixture ...and it ain't always necessarily so. A lean misfire condition can play havoc ; on my 86 work truck with a 460 c.i. engine and no cats the HC dropped from 1320 to 180 after I plugged various small and not so small vacumn leaks. Again this is usually an inexpensive fix involving rubber vacumn hoses, tightening down bolts etc. One tip, check and verify that the the plastic vacumn brake booster can hold vacumn . If the internal diaphram fails or if the case cracks on the backside, it may not be readily apparent.
if it isn't the cheap stuff, then it's probably time to start replacing parts.
good luck.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Callaway MD
Just to add to previous post also take some time and clean the sensors like MAP/MAF intake, new air filter, fresh oil change and even a new set of plugs won't hurt. I lived in California for 35 years and drove older cars. The smog test are not a bad thing they actually help you keep your car in good running condition. Also never take the test with a cold engine. Some people drive from their house to the test station and don't let the car warm up. Every little bit helps. If you still can't get it to pass I know a great shop in Hemet, Ca that can help, they passed my 92 with blown head gaskets, not sure how but it passed...lol
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 14
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From: coronado CA
also i plan on really getting into the car over the next few days bc im off work and wont be making it home for thanksgiving. thank you everyone for the insight and after the works done ill let you know how i make out
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Le Mans Master
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When I was doing smog it was $450 but it most likely went up. You have to spend $500 first and then you can apply for assistance for whatever else is spent to a certain amount. The state will only go to a set amount, they then offer to buy your car, cheap.
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Le Mans Master
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From: San Diego, Ca
Military is exempt from CA Registration as long as their Home State grants the same exemption to CA military residents stationed in your Home State.
Your Vette is rich and I'm surprised it doesn't stink which kinda lessens the cool factor (regardless of where it's registered or driven). Scan it and see what the O2's are sensing. If it's lean, air is flowing pass the O2 from an exhaust or vacuum leak which tricks it into dumping fuel it doesn't need.
Your Vette is rich and I'm surprised it doesn't stink which kinda lessens the cool factor (regardless of where it's registered or driven). Scan it and see what the O2's are sensing. If it's lean, air is flowing pass the O2 from an exhaust or vacuum leak which tricks it into dumping fuel it doesn't need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego, Ca
Start here: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/military.htm Looks like there's a phone #. Local Jag should be able to help you too.
Racer
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