10 replies to this topic

[Scooby]

:?: :arrow: Anybody know of any TJ shops that do diagnostics and adjustments to prep cars to pass Calif emissions testing ?

[drchoi]

does your check engimne light on?

why do you think it will not pass the smog test?

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

There is a chain of muffler shops around town that can fix you up before a smog test... they pretty much gaurantee that you'll pass.
I can't remember the name... i'll have find out for you...

[Scooby]

I bought the vehicle a few weeks ago without the seller having it smogged.
Then when I did it, it failed as a gross polluter. I had forgotten to put in a fuel additive which is supposed to guarantee passing (which has worked for me some years ago)
and to make sure the motor is very warm before testing (drive like 10 miles immediately beforehand).
Another thing though: it's a pig since it's consuming almost twice the amount of fuel as it should be.

Normally when all components are intact, just some tuneup type of adjustments can make the difference.
I checked the timing & RPMs only to find out they were way out of specs.
It was very hard to do this since I live in a hilly area and lifting the vehicle to check these items was quite difficult to accomplish.

Even if a local muffler shop can make it pass smog (can't imagine how, but nevertheless it would be great), I'll still want it fine tuned so as not to be a fuel hog.

[gymbud]

Rule number 1 before a smog, TUNE UP. change spark plugs and timing adjustment. new air filter.

[Chiquito]

On most newer cars you can't manually adjust the timing. Spark plugs rarely need to be changed either. Bad sensors or any system air leaks can cause problems.

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

I also here it's an automatic fail if your CHECK ENGINE light is on or if it is even burned out.

[Chiquito]

Yes it is. Been thru that. The light and error checking system has to be reset and it can take a couple weeks for all the systems to gather enough data to say they're ok hence pass the test. You are allowed one or two not to be ready and still pass. I have a code reader and re-setter if anyone has the light on. Smog testing will read the engine codes on OBC-II cars as part of the procedure.

[drchoi]

i still do not understand..

from his posts, his car needa major turn up..

and, do not have check engin light warning far as i could tell..

how old is the car and who made it?

do a research on the web site under that car and it may give you how to approch the smog problem..

some times buying a old used car may not be worth the troble ...

good luck..

[gymbud]

Every vehicle has different wait time to reset..my last truck..2001 Nissan Frontier failed and mechanic had to drive for a few days to let it reset,,It was Catylic Converter..ouch! luckily he was my good mechanic cause when it first failed a smog they said I need both 2 Cat-converters OUCH OUCH 1,200.lol It was the cheaper of the 2. $275installed.

[Chiquito]

There is a prescribed drive cycle in the cars computers that it has to drive in certain conditions at certain speeds for certain lengths of time. A mechanic who is very very familiar with the particular car can get it thru all the requirements in a couple of hours. But in random driving like we mostly do it can take quite a bit of time to cover it all. Had to go thru all this with my Explorer a couple years back. Generally 1996 and newer cars with OBC-II. (On Board Diagnostics II).

More useless information, doesn't impress girls.