HTC smog in California
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
HTC smog in California
Hi Everyone. I'm a long time lurker here. I have a question about the visual inspections that are done when you smog you car in California. Most smog shops open up the engine compartment to do a visual inspection. How does that work on the HTC. Is the smog shop going to remove the engine cover to do their visual inspection? If so would it be better if I removed the cover so they don't have to. Thanks for you help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 1,798
From: Mandalore
The sticker they check for smog compliance is on top of the plastic cover toward the passenger rear corner of the engine bay. I found this out the hard way after spending 20 minutes in the DMV lot unscrewing and removing the engine bay plastics only for the inspector to find the sticker where I described.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
Hi Everyone. I'm a long time lurker here. I have a question about the visual inspections that are done when you smog you car in California. Most smog shops open up the engine compartment to do a visual inspection. How does that work on the HTC. Is the smog shop going to remove the engine cover to do their visual inspection? If so would it be better if I removed the cover so they don't have to. Thanks for you help.
Last edited by gregbC8; Yesterday at 06:25 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,799
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From: Garden Valley CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 929
Likes: 82
From: San Jose CA
The first shop I took it to refused to do it, they said it would need to go to a specialty shop as they did not want to be responsible if any damage occurred with them removing that panel and scratching the car, etc. The second shop told me that they could do the inspection but they needed to remove the panel and it would be an extra $50 to cover their time for removal and re-installing.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,799
Likes: 10,219
From: Garden Valley CA
The first shop I took it to refused to do it, they said it would need to go to a specialty shop as they did not want to be responsible if any damage occurred with them removing that panel and scratching the car, etc. The second shop told me that they could do the inspection but they needed to remove the panel and it would be an extra $50 to cover their time for removal and re-installing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 929
Likes: 82
From: San Jose CA
In all honesty, I think it depends on the tech and their level of experience. Over the years on other cars I've had some people that just plug in the OBD2 scanner and do a 30 second once over with the hood popped then I've had techs that spent 15 plus minutes with a flashlight and then put it on a lift. I've even had a guy that told me my stock manifolds on a new Mazda MX-5 I had were aftermarket and failed me because he had never inspected a Miata before and couldn't find the EGR.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 960
Gotta luv California laws. One of our cars didn't pass because it sat for years and we were going to reregister it for my niece. Tech told me for $250 in cash, he can fix it. Five minutes later, the car magically passed...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,799
Likes: 10,219
From: Garden Valley CA
In all honesty, I think it depends on the tech and their level of experience. Over the years on other cars I've had some people that just plug in the OBD2 scanner and do a 30 second once over with the hood popped then I've had techs that spent 15 plus minutes with a flashlight and then put it on a lift. I've even had a guy that told me my stock manifolds on a new Mazda MX-5 I had were aftermarket and failed me because he had never inspected a Miata before and couldn't find the EGR.
On the other hand the Air Resources Board sets up sting operations for these guys so I can understand why some are gun shy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 1,798
From: Mandalore
I just realized you meant a visual inspection at a smog test shop. Yes, you will have to remove the engine cover. After the DMV (which only inspected for a sticker on the cover like I stated prior, not the engine) I had to go to a referee and they had to inspect the actual engine. I should up with all but four screws removed which were only hand tight so I could quickly pop it off. The guy also took pics of it on his phone to personall keep because he was mesmerized by the mid-engine lol.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,502
Likes: 717
From: Sausalito CA
FYI: Here's an A.I. answer:
A smog tech is not allowed to remove body panels, undertrays, engine covers, or any part that requires tools.
BAR rules classify that as disassembly, which is prohibited during a standard Smog Check.
So:
This is normal and fully compliant.
1. California Smog Test DOES NOT Require Removing Panels
This is the key point most owners don’t know:A smog tech is not allowed to remove body panels, undertrays, engine covers, or any part that requires tools.
BAR rules classify that as disassembly, which is prohibited during a standard Smog Check.
So:
- They will not remove the C8 HTC’s rear service panel
- They will not remove a Porsche 911’s upper engine shrouds
- They cannot charge extra to remove panels
- They must perform the inspection without disassembly
This is normal and fully compliant.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,799
Likes: 10,219
From: Garden Valley CA
FYI: Here's an A.I. answer:
A smog tech is not allowed to remove body panels, undertrays, engine covers, or any part that requires tools.
BAR rules classify that as disassembly, which is prohibited during a standard Smog Check.
So:
This is normal and fully compliant.
1. California Smog Test DOES NOT Require Removing Panels
This is the key point most owners don’t know:A smog tech is not allowed to remove body panels, undertrays, engine covers, or any part that requires tools.
BAR rules classify that as disassembly, which is prohibited during a standard Smog Check.
So:
- They will not remove the C8 HTC’s rear service panel
- They will not remove a Porsche 911’s upper engine shrouds
- They cannot charge extra to remove panels
- They must perform the inspection without disassembly
This is normal and fully compliant.
I had an older Class C van type motorhome with a removable cover in the cab and had to pay extra every time I got it smogged because of that. There are a lot of vehicles out there that you have to remove a cover to access the engine and I can't imagine it would allow you to get away without a visual engine inspection, that could really get abused. This might be the difference between Test Only and Test and Repair stations. Test and Repair stations can do mechanical work and you may be forced to go to a Test and Repair station if a Test Only station isn't allowed to use tools.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
The reason I asked this question is I have a 2025 and wont be going to a smog station for 4 more years. If the smog station is not allowed to take off the cover what would stop me from installing a oil catch can and a cold air intake. Both would pass the emissions part but would fail the visual inspection.