SMOG CHECK - Coming to California January 1, 2010; Coming to Your State Soon?

[paguilera]

Oops, what Cat

Hey Regcabguy, how can the rest of us tell if we had a cat when new? I, duh, bought my truck new and instantly had the system replaced with a Banks 4". I only recall seeing a large muffler in front, followed by a smaller resonator. Others may have bought used. Thanks.



I for one am concerned. I am due in July of this year (or next?) I show no smoke at idle, but the snap test is a question of judgement and I am dubious (and that is with the comp removed). I am more concerned that I seem to be seeing a lot of blow-by from the crankcase breather bottle.



In the last two days (in this order), I had a great dyno experience at Left Coast Diesel (Concord, Ca. ) {448 and 900), learned a bit about the testing ( I live in an, otherwise, no test area) and talked to my regular mech about the testing. It is clear that there is a lot of confusion going on and I guess we will have to wait till the testing starts on a widespread basis. Meanwhile, I will be looking for a set of stock injectors... . Paul

 

[Regcabguy]

Hey Regcabguy, how can the rest of us tell if we had a cat when new? I, duh, bought my truck new and instantly had the system replaced with a Banks 4". I only recall seeing a large muffler in front, followed by a smaller resonator. Others may have bought used. Thanks.



I for one am concerned. I am due in July of this year (or next?) I show no smoke at idle, but the snap test is a question of judgement and I am dubious (and that is with the comp removed). I am more concerned that I seem to be seeing a lot of blow-by from the crankcase breather bottle.



In the last two days (in this order), I had a great dyno experience at Left Coast Diesel (Concord, Ca. ) {448 and 900), learned a bit about the testing ( I live in an, otherwise, no test area) and talked to my regular mech about the testing. It is clear that there is a lot of confusion going on and I guess we will have to wait till the testing starts on a widespread basis. Meanwhile, I will be looking for a set of stock injectors... . Paul

You're fine. No cat 98. 5-'02 24valves. No cat '03-'04 federal HO engine. Ca versions had a detuned engine and a cat. My '98. 5 had a fair amount of blowby. Chuck the bottle and extend the tube downward. It'll keep your radiator from getting clogged. A few drops will end up on the driveway but better than the radiator.

 

[paguilera]

Thanks, Regcabguy

Thanks, that probably helped a lot of folks out. Oo.

I did do the blowby extension... led the tubing back to about the trans and kept the bottle. Today I noticed, after idling a while, a good bit of blow-by... . the truck runs well. I watched the video from carb as well... . I gotta wonder, how the hey are they gonna tell if the smoke from a breather system is too much, when that system is designed to emit hot vapors... I got some "smoke" outa my oil fill cap... but I noticed a lot more out of the bottle when I was doing the "smog checks"; read subjective guessing, today. Hmmm, I may have hurt something. I will have an expert look at it tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[fmj]

dang, almost feb. and no one has been to the test station. i come up in april for renewal and hope that someone has experience. i plan to remove van aken. still would like to see someone go thru with and afe as it looks like its not an issue, but... ...

 

[paguilera]

fmj, check the video... they show example of big cone type filters and say they are ok... same with intake manifolds like cfm and banks, etc... . bigger turbos are going to be questionable and no boxes for sure... .
Does anyone know, given the stated OBD protocols, if that will detect a tuner that was recently removed? Certainly their visual inspection focuses on looking for improper connections and tuners... Hope that helps. . Paul

 

[seafish]

Hey guys, I went to that link and was looking through the pdfs and DID find this link--

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/vin_memos/vin2009/09vin28.pdf

It is the dmv pdf that explains wjhat vehicles are required to be tested, and has already been refered to here.

HOWEVER, please note this quote at the bottom of the page...

• Exemptions applicable to gas-powered vehicles located in non-biennial counties,
family transfers, and obtaining a smog for a transfer within the past 12 months,
will also apply to diesel-powered vehicles. (emphasis added)

IF I am reading this correctly, those of us who live in counties that still do NOT require gasser smog testing each 2 years, will also not be required to do Diesel smog testing.

I realize that this only applies to some of us, but it DOES apply to me, and I am ecstatic, since I do not want to give up my GDP intake horn and grid delete. I was also planing on eventually getting another high flow intake manifold AND high flow exhaust manifold.

Do you guys, particularly ones who don't do biennial smog testing for cars, think that I am reading this right. So far, I had heard, even from my local DMV, that testing was going to be standardized across the state. Though when he told me that, he also admitted to NOT knowing any of the details yet, as of last month, he had NOT been notified of the new requirements, only knew that they were coming out some time this year.

 

[seafish]

WOW... great news for those of us who live in CA counties where gasser vehicles are exempt from the biennial smog test... I just got off the phone# listed on the above memo, and actually talked to a live person, who agreed that if one lives in such a county, then diesel vehicles will be exempt from the biennial testing as well. One will still need to get a diesel smog check upon purchasing a new or used diesel vehicle, but it is NOT required for vehicle transfer to a family member, OR each 2 years, as long as you live in one of these counties. Oo. Oo.



I would guess that alot of TDR member are going to start "moving", though I am quite sure that HBarlow would NOT condone this :-laf (no offense, just kidding around HB)



I am quite ecstatic right now... I plan on keeping this truck a long time, and have wanted to continue to due airflow mods, which in all honesty, would probably only help reduce smog particles (more air flow=better burn, right??),

but would not be allowed without the expensive EO numbers.

 

[fmj]

WOW... great news for those of us who live in CA counties where gasser vehicles are exempt from the biennial smog test... I just got off the phone# listed on the above memo, and actually talked to a live person, who agreed that if one lives in such a county, then diesel vehicles will be exempt from the biennial testing as well.

i've been watching this one and am planning on using my address where my mobile home is as trucks address. i think its going to be too late for me to change address for this year though. :{

 

[seafish]

i've been watching this one and am planning on using my address where my mobile home is as trucks address. i think its going to be too late for me to change address for this year though. :{

I guess that means you have a license plate ending in an even number. . that's too bad, though you you should probably go ahead and try to change the reg address asap, cause that in itself is not a transfer or purchase of a vehicle... . particularly if you have a home located in a county where no gasser test is required each 2 years.

 

[chipster]

I guess that means you have a license plate ending in an even number. . that's too bad, though you you should probably go ahead and try to change the reg address asap, cause that in itself is not a transfer or purchase of a vehicle... . particularly if you have a home located in a county where no gasser test is required each 2 years.

they will be using the last number of the VIN (vehicle identification number) NOT the last number on the license plate.

 

[fmj]

they will be using the last number of the VIN (vehicle identification number) NOT the last number on the license plate.

vin ends in even number, so does license. so no matter i'm up.

 

[paguilera]

YOU GO Seafish

Seafish, I can only hope that you have hit the mother lode, as far as us lucky folk in non-smog check areas. I too am in love with my truck, sick though that may be... . and, talk about wierd, I have this overwhelming impulse to stick a 12 valve in something small... . all I need is $... . (donations welcome)

Seriously, I really hope you are right... . I am practically giddy... . for I too wish to keep my 24V until the Golden BB do us part..... and Thanks for reading farther and calling the person... Paul

 

[seafish]

they will be using the last number of the VIN (vehicle identification number) NOT the last number on the license plate.

oops... thanks for clarifying... my mind must have wandered back to the old fuel rationing days with fill ups based on the last digit of your license plate. :-laf:-laf seems so long ago now, hope we don't have THAT to look forward to again, but I guess it'll depend on how long I live.

 

[seafish]

Seafish, I can only hope that you have hit the mother lode, as far as us lucky folk in non-smog check areas. I too am in love with my truck, sick though that may be... . and, talk about wierd, I have this overwhelming impulse to stick a 12 valve in something small... . all I need is $... . (donations welcome)

Seriously, I really hope you are right... . I am practically giddy... . for I too wish to keep my 24V until the Golden BB do us part..... and Thanks for reading farther and calling the person... Paul

Your welcome, Paul. If you want, you could call the phone number (dmv, not bar) listed on the second page of the memo I linked to.

I was actually stunned that a LIVE person picked up, who then transferred me to another LIVE person to answer questions about the memo #, which I gave to her. The person, Shirley was her name, confirmed that indeed that is how the memo read. I was so excited going over the details, that it did not occur to me to ask if maybe memo# VIN2009-28 has been superseded by a newer memo, but I doubt it. Still it would be a good question to ask somebody there. It only took 3 rings for the first person to pick up, then a minute or so to transfer to someone who could give details about the memo info.



Maybe somone wants to confirm the memo again tomorrow??



seafish

 

[GW208]

Your welcome, Paul. If you want, you could call the phone number (dmv, not bar) listed on the second page of the memo I linked to.

I was actually stunned that a LIVE person picked up, who then transferred me to another LIVE person to answer questions about the memo #, which I gave to her. The person, Shirley was her name, confirmed that indeed that is how the memo read. I was so excited going over the details, that it did not occur to me to ask if maybe memo# VIN2009-28 has been superseded by a newer memo, but I doubt it. Still it would be a good question to ask somebody there. It only took 3 rings for the first person to pick up, then a minute or so to transfer to someone who could give details about the memo info.



Maybe somone wants to confirm the memo again tomorrow??



seafish

Good luck, tomorrow is probably a furlough day for Shirley and many other DMV employees.

 

[dresslered]

we're well on our way to becoming the cleanest, safest, poorest country in the world.

LOL! Thanks rscurtis, I just spilled my coffee over that one. :-laf



I've been wondering about the Kalifornia smog thing as well. I only have the RV injectors and a DD TTPM (which I believe is CARB certified, but not sure how I would prove this to the inspector.

 

[paguilera]

Seafish is Right

Morning all, retired guy that I am, it took me a while to get started this am... . but, I did follow through and called DMV Communications. Vin 2009-28 IS THE CURRENT POLICY. IT HAS NOT BEEN SUPERCEDED AND DIESEL VEHICLES IN THOSE AREAS THAT CURRENTLY DO NOT TEST GAS VEHILES WILL NOT BE TESTED. Thank you mr fish! Sorry that doesn't help the rest of you. Paul

 

[JMetzger]

dresslered: I hate to be stupid but how are they going to know what injectors you have in your engine? I would think that they would have to pull an injector & compare it with a stock injector & I don't think any of the inspectors are smart enough to do that.

 

[jshumate]

My VIN# ends in an even number, but my registration renewal is due by March 30 and the notice doesn't say anything about smog. Since the rule is for due dates for April 30 or later, does that mean that I've got 2 more years before I have to have it smogged?

 

[paguilera]

re Injectors and when to smog

They do not have to look at your injectors and won't even really care... the "snap test" and the smoke you generate will be the pass/fail... I tried the test yesterday with my Mach 1. 6 injectors... . make sure you do it the way the training video specifies... it seems like the third snap was always the dirtiest and I don't smoke much at all... I doubt I would pass with my 1. 6's... but this is going to be really subjective... . I would get cozy with my local diesel mechs and see where they are sending folks... .

as to when you will be required to smog... . supposedly, the first notices will be coming out in February... . others have already addressed when, based on the vin... .

I have been pretty deep into this the last few days... . I suggest watching the training video, check out the drop-downs at the top of the website and see what you have that they specifically look for. We can see that no timing or fueling boxes of any type will be allowed... . not one manuf' has a carb no. as of this date... injectors other than stock are not allowed... but the snap test is supposed to determine pass/fail, since you cannot see injectors. Air cleaners, manifolds and exhaust systems should be ok... if you don't have all the smog equip for your year... you will fail. Turbos will be questionable, but are likely to fail if they are being tight.

they are supposed to be ok if a direct replacement... but what does that mean... pass or fail will be up to the instructors interpretation of your turbo. Gauge wiring, especially boost and pyro, are supposed to be traced to insure not connected to a box. I think they are also supposed to examine the places on the motor to which a box would normally be attached. If abnormal or they lead to a box or boost fooler, you fail. .



That is the way I see it so far... I don't like it... the law was implemented on flawed research and by a researcher who got canned for falsifying his qualifications. Yet, sadly, the state stands behind it and implemented this policy. :{ Paul