emissions- "guaranteed to pass" thread

[DocuDude]

so i failed calif emissions by a hair the first time (a bit high on the NO), so i put in the "guaranteed to pass" stuff that goes in your tank....but foolish me i didnt listen to the box instructions and put it in a half full tank, and thought i could pass with a little help from HEET at the end of the half-full tank


well i just got back from my retest, and everythign jumped up significantly (except for the CO2, which dropped to .02 and .03-- thanks HEET)

so i figure i am just cleaning out all the junk in my system, and took the test too soon.

i changed the air/fuel filter, plugs, pcv, and oil....

can ya reassure me that i just am still cleaning out my system, and that when i go through a full tank (i just filled up after i failed), i will be back home free again when the tank runs dry

any friendly smog test places in the Los Angeles area?

peacee

 

[JBBenson]

Forget that HEET crap. I have posted this elsewhere, here it is again:

If you are in Los Angeles go to High Tech Auto at 4000 Fountain in Hollywood and talk to Coco. 323.661.2788. Just east of Sunset.

He is a genius with carbs, passed an old '85 Pontiac of mine three times with a similar problem. He can diagnose looking at the failed smog test paperwork.

He also knows and works on Land Cruisers.

Don't bother with anybody else, worth the hassle to get the car to him.

He will get it to pass. Often the mixture has to be made rich to pass, and it does, but the cars runs like crap, so he will re-set it to run and idle properly. There is a test station around the corner from him.

He is a smog friendly mechanic. There are no more smog friendly testing stations anymore, the penalties are too high.

 

[DocuDude]

smog stands for smooth fog

cool, i willl check the guy out if i dont pass next time- but i am really close to passing (any other state but Cali and it would be all good), and just made a mistake by putting in the "guaranteed" without going thru a full tank before testing.

so from what I am reading "guaranteed" is like seafoam. Does this mean I should replace plugs, filters etc before retesting again, becasue they are now full of crap? (keep in mind i just replaced all these this week)

and i did want to seafoam within the next feew weeks after i passed, should i not seafoam so soon after "guaranteed"?

 

[dallen341]

DocoDude,

I'd take Benson's advice. The carb genius Benson mentions can dial in the truck and probably take it to the smog test station for you to get it tested and your certificate. It may cost a few extra bucks that way, but worth the hassle. I'm in Claremont and have done similar with another shop local to me.

Don