| Author | Message | ||
     Sonomacyclone |
Anyone have any experience w/ the in's and out's regarding CA smog issues? My wife and I were given a 1990 GMC 4x4 Suburban to use as an extra vehicle - camping, Tahoe in the winter etc. The vehicle was previously registered in a county that didn't require Smog check - so it's never been smogged. I began the title transfer process and got to the point where the vehicle needs to pass in order to have a new title issued. Did some minor tune-up to help it's chances. As you can guess, it doesn't pass. Seems there's a compression leak in one of the cylinders resulting in a low-idle misfire. I've been told by the mechanic that to fix it would require an engine rebuild. I'm not going to throw that kind of money on an old beater for occasional weekend use. Now I feel stuck. Don't know if I can sell the vehicle (even to someone in a county not requiring the Smog cert.) since I can't get clear title. Not sure how to proceed w/ registration. Do any of you mechanically inclined have a suggestion - would appreciate any help. | ||
| Chasespeed |
There are a couple quick fixes... IF you have to ablity to do a comp test, put a little oil in the cylinder, put the gauge, on, then do the test...shoudl give you a decent indication of how bad teh rings actually are... If that helps...put one of those "bank-aid" fixes in teh oil, and trying again, after a little mileage(or run hours)...at least to get you a clear title to get rid of it... A 90 Suburban, is taht a solid axle 4x4? Chase | ||
| Essthreetee |
There is supposed to be something caleld "SeaFoam" that will clean out your engine and help it to pass smog if used at the right time (?) Look into that, depending on where you are at, there are also some smog check people that can be of help.... | ||
| Gbr |
The SeaFoam probably won't help, its more of a fuel stabilizer and fuel system cleaner. My brother lives in CA, and I want to say he told me once that there is a maximum allowable dollar figure for fixing the vehicle. If I remember right, if it costs more than x amount, the DMV can issue a title. Don't know if its true or not. gbr | ||
| Firemanjim |
What was failure for--high hydrocarbons on idle test,on high rpm test,too much CO/There are fixes for all of that.First before even taking it to a smog place,full tune-up,plugs,cap,rotor,wires,air filter,oil filter,fresh oil change,make sure idle and timing are set to spec,a little off will cause failure.How old is the catalytic converter?After 100K they don't do squat anymore. Post what caused failure,we can help. And when they tested it was it fully warmed up?A favorite trick of the shaky shops is to do test when the choke is still on--it will fail every time. | ||
| Ryker77 |
My advice is don't live in a state full of "fruits and nuts" ! Awesome state, terrain, weather, outdoor activity--- just too many dumb @ss lawmakers. I wouldn't take a job in Cali or a few northeast states unless is paid double. | ||
| Hacksaw |
I have a 1979 Chev pickup that I would put 50 wt oil in with at least two cans of STP. It had 210000 miles on it the last time I had it smogged before I rebuilt the engine, passed no problem. Like FMJ says do a tune up and take it down the freeway for a ways to get it warmed up before taking it to the shop. | ||
| Rex |
you do like I did. you give it to one of the charities and get a tax deduction....REX | ||
| Brucelee |
All counties in CA require smog, the only thing that changes by county is how often (every 1 or 2 yrs). All used cars that are sold in CA are required to be smogged to be registered. The law requires the seller to do this prior to the sale taking place. If the car fails, there is a program to assist with the cost of the repairs if they exceed a certain amount. All cars do need to be smogged to be on the road, unless the cars is older than 1975. Check on the DMV website for more info. |
