I remember that the guy who did the test spent about 10 minutes under the hood looking at stuff. I don't know what he was looking at, but the engine was off.

Craig

__________________
1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

The tech has to do a visual inspection to be sure that all emssion equipment is installed. This is somewhat cursory, and given the hundreds of different configurations and experience of the tech, it may be real cursory. Usually what they do is look at the emission control/tuneup label, which has codes for various emission control equipment, like "OC" for oxidizing catalyst, "TWC" for three way catalysts (which also means there is an O2 sensor) and EGR. They also look at the EVAP system (what they can see of it) and for any obvious tampering.

Ten minutes seems like an awfully long time for just the visual The test on my 190 last month probably took no longer than ten minutes from the time the tech drove it into the bay to the time he drove it out, so this included typing the info into the computer and running the loaded test, checking the timing and doing the visual. I wonder if your tech was playing some games.

If they want to do the visual AFTER the loaded test, it's okay to shut off the engine, but I'm not sure if the procedure allows the visual to be done after the test. The test procedure is very specific. You need to have a heart to heart chat with these guys and get and understanding that they WILL NOT shut off the engine prior to running the tailpipe test.

With one exception, which was the f-----g Referee of all places, a tech has never shut off the engine while doing the visual on any of my cars. This dimbulb kept shutting my car off to answer the phone, and I told him to do the job and let the phone ring. This occured twice and the third time we really got into it. He finally tested the car, and it passed. I wrote an angry letter to the BAR Director about the conduct of this guy and got a letter of apology back. Not long after, the referee contract went to another vendor.

Duke

I was there for a good 20 to 30 minutes, and I was the only one! Maybe he didn't know what he was doing?

__________________
1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

UPDATE:

Just said what the hell, let's test it again. The guy was a jerk. I told him not to turn off the motor. He said that's not the way it's done. I told him to just leave it running.

10 minutes later, the sniffer. Here are the numbers:

15mph, 1316rpm:

CO2: 14.2
O2: .1,
HC: max 81, ave 21, meas 54
CO: max .47, ave .06, meas .12
NO: max 685, ave 150, meas 384 PASS

25mph, 1286rpm:

CO2: 14.3
O2: .05
HC: max 47, ave 13, meas 47
CO: max .44, ave .05, meas .05
NO: max 696, ave 136, meas 80 PASS!!!!!

Something's still up even though I passed. It still runs a little rough. Next it'll be those expensive caps and rotors and new plugs.

Duke, thanks for the help. Anything else to add?

Craig

__________________
1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

I always look for the “pass or don’t pay” on the only gasser I have they charge $49.00 plus title and electronic fee total $59.00 this is in San Diego if you can find one or use one I will recommend you to use it, normally with the $49.00 they do small adjustments if needed at no charge, but if major repair is needed they don’t tell you what is malfunctioning.

I heard that if your tank is less than ½ full and if you add gasohol (if you can find it) about 2-3 gallons almost any car will make it . Also I heard from gross polluters adding paint thinner (1/2 gallon) and passing the test , but just think of all the rubber gaskets.

__________________
2000 430 ML
2005 S500
87 300 D
61 300 restoring

whne I had my car smogged several months ago, the car had been sitting for like 15 minutes before they go to it to run the test. it failed, but the tech was very good and knowledgeable and said these cars sometimes fail the first time because it just wasn't hot enough it cooled down too much before the first test was started. so he ran the test again, and it passed with flying colors. I had driven the car for a bit before getting there, and it was well warmed up. It just goes to show you that there are good smog techs out there who know these cars.

I always take my cars to ACC on robertson off the 10 fwy. It is just up the street from By Design, and pretty much across the street from Hamilton High School.

They always do a good job there. they are a test only station, and if you want, I believe you can even get your tags there too!

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Yeah! In two years, go some place else!

Try to find a "drive through" place like I described in my posts on the other threads I referenced.

I would also suggest that you file a complaint with the BAR on this station and technician. Like I said, other that that jerk referee I have never had a technician shut off the engine once it was in the inspection bay.

I think you can file a BAR complaint on line at www.smogcheck.ca.gov

Duke

California RFG II IS "gasohol" because it requires two percent oxygen by mass year around and the only acceptable oxygenate is ethanol. Apparently you're not aware of that.

Paint thinner! Never heard that one, but there is more BS floating around about how to pass emission tests than about motor oil or spark plugs. A gross polluter is going to need a lot more than a fuel spike with paint thinner or snake oil to pass the test. It's going to need some serious repairs!

The best way to pass an emission test, assuming your car is in reasonably good working order and has not been tampered, is to follow the advice I have provided about properly "conditioning" your car, and go to a drive through inspection station that is courteous, efficient, and DOESN'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE prior to running the tailpipe test.

In the many, many, many posts I have made about emission tests I have taught (those who actually read them) how to analyse the test report to understand what is goiing on inside the engine and catalyst. O2 and CO readings tell us a lot about how efficiently the emission control system is working and whether there are any suspect components.

I have also discussed some "tweaks" primarily the timing map that can be accomplished to increase your passing margin or turn a marginal failure into a pass.

None of this involves adding anything to the fuel, EXCEPT, maybe, a bottle of Techron.

Duke