http://delphi.com/news/pressReleases/pr_2007_07_31_001/

there is the link.. its a new pressure test for any vehicle 1995 and older. Not sure if this is a bad thing or a good thing for the 3rdgen crowd.. i cant see it being a good thing since CA is all about tightening emissions than being easier to pass..

and sorry if this is a repost.

 

When I had my T/A smog tested i July, the tech told me that while in the past all he had to check was the fuel cap for leaks, starting on Jan 1 he will have to pressure test the entire evaporative system and the car fails if it doesn't hold pressure.

 

All this smoke they didnt do a damn thing to stop early enough, and they're worried about a few HC's from Joe Public's gas tank.

Counting my days...

12/1/07 is the official test date.
I just love the Q&A
"7. Does fuel come back out when testing vehicles with full tanks?
No. Test procedures and filler neck adapters are designed to minimize fuel discharge."

First they say no, then they say "minimize"
Whatever.

"36. Does crimping decrease the life of hoses?
Yes. However, specific pliers were selected to minimize hose damage, and testing shows the frequency of damage is extremely small."

Minimize. Small. This thing is garbage.

 

Any rubber hose on my 20yo GP will crack or break, guaranteed. Of course the smog tech will say it was already cracked.

 

I'm calling them tomorrow and unless they issue me a letter saying they'll replace that hose or canister if its damaged by some joker with a pair of vise grips, they are not performing that test on my car. I refuse to let them do what they're already saying is a destructive test on my car. They want to test it, they need to come up with a better method or accept all costs involved in potential damage.

 

The problem is that we have 3 choices in the matter. We can go along with the test and repair whatever breaks afterward, move out of California to get away from the smpog *****, or we can do what I think the powers that be in Ca reaqlly want and that would be to crush all motor vewhicles that are more than 5 years old. You can posture all you want about suing, getting guarantees against breakage, etc., but it doesn't matter to the goons running the state.

 

Then I will drive around without tags.

This is too much. Destructive testing, no. I refuse. Plain and simple. They either do it right, or they dont do it at all. I could care less what they think or how they feel, its either comply with me or they arent sending me a sticker and I'll deal with the judge in a totally rude fashion if it ever comes to that.

 

I wonder who's bed got feathered on that one!!!
Campaign funds....time to pay up

 

Federal dollars. The EPA is slathered all over the documents and test procedures, and apparently they've been conducting this test in Delaware so it probably got rammed down our throat by someone outside of this state. Imagine that.

I dont have an issue with performing a test. The charcoal canister and sealed tank has been around quite some time, its only purpose to remove the evaporative emissions aspect of cars. It should be tested, because that stuff does wear out. What I dont agree with is the method. I'm 99% sure the test facility reps that attended the "public" meetings about this testing whined about breaking the plastic fittings that just about every charcoal canister has from removing the hose so some numbskull with an IQ of 2 says "Hey lets just crimp the hose with a pair of pliers. I do that to Cleetus' car all the time."

Hackjob work in the interest of saving time and minimizing visible and obvious parts breakage (and therefore service facility costs) from touching old fragile parts and stupid mechanics.

I'm awaiting their reply. I bet they dont even directly address my concern but beat around the bush how this is a new law and test and we have to do it. Probably have to go dig up my old contact number for a particular BAR employee in Sactown and deal with it that way since their phone number is just about useless.

 

Wow, I give this 2 thumbs down. Guess its a good thing i just got a smog check. how often is the smog conducted anyways? Well I live in san diego and im sure I can go to a hole in the wall smog center and slip the guy 20 bucks to pass it. I think the guy that smoged my RS last time couldnt even speak english. So I think Ill be fine, if not....I can always register it in texas...

 

They describe this system as a tool? Now isnt that they cannot use any tools on the vehicle at a smog test only center?

Well I really dont understand what it really is that they will have to test. Where in the world did they come up with something like this. They keep changing all these laws it is starting to get on my nerves. They need to get to work and get there money somewhere else.
Now is this in anyway raising the price of smog checks? Or there the only ones that have to pay by buying the tool and thats to remain there license?

They need to start bothering China because soon here a few more billion tons of Ice will be melted.

 

We have to get a smog test every two years. Thankfully the bill to make it every year has been shelved.

If you register the car in Texas and get a Texas license plate, you will be harassed by the cops if they see you more than once. The cop will think you are a new resident and you're supposed to register the car in CA after no more than 10 days. One of our members just went thru that and had to get it resolved in court in front of a judge. I havent heard how that went.

Now, there are zip codes in CA where you dont have to get a smog check except when you sell the car.... A search of CA's website at http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ will reveal more.

 

So did anyone exc Chris and I write letters to the BAR and your State elected idiots, complaining about them approving a test that damages your smog equipt.

 

I was looking around on the BAR site and found this...

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdfdocs/LPFETFAQ.pdf

"35. Will a Test Only station be allowed to repair a hose if damaged during a test?

Yes. Current law allows Test Only stations to fix functionally tested components during the inspection at no charge to the customer. Another example is exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)."

So unless I am reading this wrong, if they break it, they have to pay for it?

 

Every 2 years? But i bought my truck here and after 4 years, nothing about a smog check. or does the year come into effect? I can understand what you mean about the tags. but I live in San Diego right now, and since half of SD is military (including me) theres no suprise to see hundreds of different tags from all over, especially texas (where I joined from) and Im sure the police wouldnt pay me much attention since I have my base decal's on my 3rd gen. these emissions laws are just to much here.

 

i think a car has to be about 6 years old before they require it to be smogged so if you bought your truck new thats y u haven't heard of having to smog it

 

The first 5 years are smog test free... then it is every other year

 

The first 4 are free. Beyond 4 years, even a day, you have to have it smogged. That means most people who buy a new car dont have to do a smog test until the car is six years old. Buy a used car past 4 years, you need a smog test.

Yes, if they break it and ADMIT to it, they have to fix it for free. I dont know of anyone that will aside of a guy who's a friend but I cant ever go there since all my cars are test only anymore. I'll bet a dollar thats why they dont remove the hose (as it should be done) and plug it, because the testing facility owners were concerned with breaking off the plastic fittings on the charcoal canisters. Not my problem.

 

Ok I see now. No the truck is a 97. and its been about 4 years since I bought it so im guessing its about due for a smog check. And my RS just got smogged this year so I have 2 years before its due again? But what exactly makes a car in california illegal? Too much HP and torque? An aggressive cam? running straight pipes? like i said before there was a guy that worked at my insurance place and told me if it didnt pass smog he knows a guy that can "make it pass every time" dont know how that would work but im sure theres a few dollars involved.
And as far as them breaking something and "admitting to it" think the best thing to do is snap multiple pics with a digital camera and if they screw somthing up then you have proof and then cant deny it.

 

IMO any hose or plastic fitting that gets broke during the test "will not be the fault of the smog tech". There are too many variables and the BAR is a joke when it comes to finding a mechanic at fault.
And if you can find a smog guy willing to put his license on the line for a few bucks all the more power to you. Wish I new one that did Test Only.

 

what do you mean by you wish you knew one that did test only?

 

He meant he wishes he knew a guy who does test only smog checks who you could pay under the table and he will make the car pass. That is highly illegal and the smog test guy will lose his license and be black listed if he is caught.
A car will fail the smog check here in CA if any emissions equipment is missing, tampered with, or not working. That includes the AIR lines to the exhaust, the catalytic converter, and the EGR valve. It will also fail if you have aftermarket parts on there that do not have CARB EO numbers from the state. Lastly, it will fail if the combination of the parts puts out more emissions than the maximum allowed by the test. We have cars running in the 11's and 12's with 400+ HP that pass easily, so its not as difficult as it looks.

 

Check with the legal dept at the base. My understanding is that because the military transfers personnel all over the world continually, it is federal law that you have your choice of where you want you legal residence to be. If you choose to make your legal residence your home state instead of California, you can keep your tags from your home state, and are not subject to California's smog laws as long as the vehicle meets the smog laws of your home state. In effect it is an anti harrasment law to keep individual states from harrassing servicemen and women who are sent to various duty station as needed by the military. As I said, check with the base legal dept. to be sure of what you need to do. I have been told by at least 6 members of the military that they did not have to register their cars in California when they were stationed in California because their legal residence was their home state.

 

Latest I heard is they can keep their plates, but need to have it tested to get a base sticker.

 

Saw the new emissions test equipt today.
KISS OFF YOUR VACUUM LINES THEY ARE HISTORY

The "specially designed" pinch pliers are nothing more than large (about 12" long) needle nose pliers, with surrations on the pliers parts. The "special part" is on the end of the handle is a flip clip that holds the pliers completely closed.

So, not only will they crimp your rubber hose completely flat, when the smog tech lets go of them to run the test the pliers will, (a little physics here) will twist left or right until the handles hit something to keep them from twisting completely 180*. Crimp and twist. Yep only minimal damage. Try it on your finger.

 

When did they require that? How did Pablo get away with running a Holley 4 barrel on a car that originally had fuel injection. I think he was stationed at El Toro for a couple of years, and bragged about not being smog legal.

 

I dunno, at least since the time he got here they've required it. In 1992 they did not. So sometime between 92 and 02 they changed the rules.

People get away with things all the time, I'm going to claim no knowledge of anything on how he was legal here.