This is topic smog help in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
Does anybody know of a shop in the bay area that will smog a car if it has aftermarket parts but they are emissinon legal. I've been getting the boot at every place i've gone. Any help appreciated.
 
Posted by vicstatic (Member # 6702) on :
 
I've been to 2 places here where I live. Both places were asking for carb #'s. They wanted one for my headers (it was stamped on a plate). and my cold-air (sticker). They even asked about my welded in cats. They did pass everything as far as visual and carb #'s are concerned.
It did not pass the sniffer test. Now I have to just get everything dialed in and make sure all the emissions..hoses, connections, pump... are in working order.

[ August 17, 2007, 12:22 AM: Message edited by: vicstatic ]
 
Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
What are they flagging you on?
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
We'll most are kicking way before I even get the chance to open the hood. They take one look at the car and say they can't do it.
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
We'll most are kicking way before I even get the chance to open the hood. They take one look at the car and say they can't do it. I'm knida past the point of looking or sounding stock anymore.
 
Posted by Wolfie351 (Member # 651) on :
 
Go to a test only shop
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
Thats where i've been going. I got a test only.
 
Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 89Rodknocker:
We'll most are kicking way before I even get the chance to open the hood. They take one look at the car and say they can't do it. I'm knida past the point of looking or sounding stock anymore.
That's odd. Ask them what they have a problem with. They shouldn't turn you away w/o even opening the hood. What are your mods?
 
Posted by Wolfie351 (Member # 651) on :
 
Test only stations can only refuse you if they think your car is unsafe. Act confused and politely say that you called the BAR and they were the ones that gave you their address. Imply that you will call the BAR again, but don't say it as a threat, just that you want to clear up the misinformation. The last thing they want is the BAR on their back.

If your car is 100% smog legal, you can also take it to a referee.
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
I thnk it because of the cam but i got cats and all other smog equipment on. It even passed with at work on our smog dyno as a pre test.
 
Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 89Rodknocker:
I thnk it because of the cam but i got cats and all other smog equipment on. It even passed with at work on our smog dyno as a pre test.
Well, they don't need to know it's got a cam in it [Wink] If they turn you away ask them why and have them point out the things they say are wrong.
 
Posted by BCINGUU (Member # 2397) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 92stangLX:
They shouldn't turn you away w/o even opening the hood.
You sound like somebody that hasn't had to smog a modified stang for a while...

19 out of 20 bay area test-only smog shops will turn away stangs that are obviously modified. Happens to me with all my stangs, and all I did was drive up to the front of the shop. They come out shaking their head and telling me to go elsewhere.

The ones that at least look at the car see that there are only 2 cats, and the book says 4, so go away. Even though 2 cats are a CARB legal aftermarket replacement on ODB1 cars.
 
Posted by BCINGUU (Member # 2397) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 92stangLX:
If they turn you away ask them why and have them point out the things they say are wrong.
And by the way, I used to get into this with them. We drivers are required by law to smog check our cars, but the smog shops have no such requirement to provide that service to every customer. I used to tell them, just test it, and they told me they don't have to. They have the right to refuse service, for any reason or no reason.

Being reasonable with them doesn't work. You just have to go somewhere where they won't hassle you.
 
Posted by SmokinLX (Member # 1684) on :
 
Do what I told You in the PM and You will pass [patriot] .
 
Posted by venomous99 (Member # 1917) on :
 
if u have an issue finding one in the east bay i can recommend this one down the street from my house in daly city near serramanila mall. ive smogged my car with a blower and high flow cats w/out any hassle from the visual. the tech who happens to the owner doesnt do much of a visual and is more concerned with the sniffer. even a friend of mine with a turbo miata had no issues with visual there.
pm for details if you're interested.
 




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