Just Failed CA Smog. Now what?

[Franke]

I agree with Z51Jeff and Mike100. I had the NOX issue too. Everthing passed except for that on the IM240 test. I found out that I had a lazy O2 sensor on the left side by using my Mastertech 3100 to watch the voltage swing. Replaced the O2's and passed. The new results were about 40% lower. I used the Bosch ones.

[tf95ZR1]

I just saw this thread. I feel for you, OkDok!
I had the same problem passing CA smog with my Z.
All the recs already given are GREAT ideas.
I did them all (and some others!) to jump through
the hoops to finally get it to legitimately pass the sniffer.
Let me know if you want to talk privately....

PS: Some of the steps you do, like new O2 sensors, oil change
you can think of as general maintenance for an (old) car anyway.
What's a better word than "old"?

[mgbrv8]

Move to Texas :-)

[tf95ZR1]

What's really frustrating is that the pass levels are much tougher now
than when the car was originally designed and built. So how are we
supposed to clean them up? In their minds, this is how they get rid of
the "smog machines".

I agree that the air is MUCH better now than in the 70's, so there has
to be a comprimise. As others have said, if a stock Z is running (really)
well, it should pass, maybe with a few changes/tricks.
With mods is a different story.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I have not had my "Welcome to California" smog testing yet. I guess I am too scared to find out. Actually have not had any time to attempt registering the car in this great State. I'm considering buying a nice, stock, low mileage ZR-1 and getting rid of mine...we'll see. Thanks for sharing all the tips and tricks and I will see if I can pass one day.

Best wishes to the OP.

[Z51JEFF]

After you fail a few times you will be instructed to take the car to a referee station. This is a State owned facility,this place will make a decision as to weather the car will not pass,pass the car with an exemption or not sure after that,I couldn't get a straight answer out the guy when I there a few years ago. I got a little help from our friend in Ill when it comes to passing the test. Is it legal,I could care less. Ca has dropped the max limits on the Nox levels from 702 in 2008 down to 502 in 2014. Replacing the O2 sensors in not an easy job,at least getting one of the plugs in. I had o jump through hoops to get a bone stock 91 to pass with 20,000 original miles. What really suck,my car at 6000 original miles wouldn't pass today. I can help with the smog issue if needed.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

After you fail a few times you will be instructed to take the car to a referee station. This is a State owned facility,this place will make a decision as to weather the car will not pass,pass the car with an exemption or not sure after that,I couldn't get a straight answer out the guy when I there a few years ago. I got a little help from our friend in Ill when it comes to passing the test. Is it legal,I could care less. Ca has dropped the max limits on the Nox levels from 702 in 2008 down to 502 in 2014. Replacing the O2 sensors in not an easy job,at least getting one of the plugs in. I had o jump through hoops to get a bone stock 91 to pass with 20,000 original miles. What really suck,my car at 6000 original miles wouldn't pass today. I can help with the smog issue if needed.

Geeez, maybe I should look at the 68 Convertible instead if I plan to live in Cali for a long time? I'm starting to think my car with the Stage I cams will never pass. Thanks for sharing. Now I see why the locals say the "SMOG Nazis"!

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Geeez, maybe I should look at the 68 Convertible instead if I plan to live in Cali for a long time? I'm starting to think my car with the Stage I cams will never pass. Thanks for sharing. Now I see why the locals say the "SMOG Nazis"!

Locals.. heck I call the Cali Smog people that here in Chicago... Meanign they are well known as Smog Nazis outside of the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia

[mike100]

What happens in CA won't necessarily stay in CA. The above examples of lowered NOx levels on our emissions tests come from what I believe were EPA limits that kicked in during 2012 or so from some law passed back in the 90's setting tiers to be met at certain future dates. We just happen to follow that trend (or actually set them in many cases that the EPA adopts later). What worries me is if they can/will lower them any lower knowing full well our older cars were designed to meet limits of the day, not modern ones.

As it sits now...big deal, you can definitely pass the testing- it is just that oxygen sensors don't work that well when they are 20 years old- you gotta get new ones. The problem is not clean tailpipes, but the rigid visual in this state.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Locals.. heck I call the Cali Smog people that here in Chicago... Meanign they are well known as Smog Nazis outside of the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia

I understand what you mean. The only other SMOG state I lived in was Connecticut about 15 years ago. Back then it seemed I just tested because I had too and routine, but had an issue passing. The car would have to be a POS and was running very poorly it seemed.