New CA Smog Test

[Brentbba]

Well, did my bi-annual visit to the Test Only station for the truck. She passed with flying colors.

They now have a NEW test for pre '95 vehicles. It's a fuel system pressure test. Two parts. One is a pressure test of the cap itself. The second one they pressurize the fuel system by putting nitrogen in the fuel tank to a certain pressure and then the system tests for any reduction in that pressure. She passed w/o problem. This new test was $10 where I went. Just another way to get more money out of us!

 

[SOCALFJ]

Yep, i just took it a month ago with my 1993. I passed with flying colors even with a bad 02 sensor. Yep, they pressurized my tank(s) and it passed no problem. Just make sure your lines are all good and tight before you head down (talking to guys with aux tanks). Also make sure you have a friend or someone you know (at the smog place) do the visual... some guys will trip on the filler neck and the aux tank.

 

[Brentbba]

I've known the guy at the place I take our cars for awhile and we were talking about the new test. $4,000 for the equipment! He joked that it was taking awhile for the system to pressurize on the truck. I was at about a quarter tank. Gotta wonder if your aux tank was empty and you were low on main tank how long it would take to pressurize or if the two tanks can be separated for this test.

 

[Newps]

When I smogged mine, the guy asked me to go fill up before they do the test.

 

[Brentbba]

When I smogged mine, the guy asked me to go fill up before they do the test.

LOL! If I remember, I'll do that in two years.

 

[hntashdjian]

My CEL was on, and it was reading code 25. I would disconnect the battery and it still wouldnt pass smog. It was 4 times the allowed HCs and 3 times the allowed COs. I changed the plugs, wires, caps, rotor, PCv. Still nothing helped.

I took it to K & H Imports and they fixed it. The PO had screwed around with the main engine harness, the part right under the engine diagnostics port. They spliced two wires together and the computer was receiving or sending bad signals.

After they cleaned that up, the car passed with "flying colors"

If you guys have any problems and are too lazy to fix, take it to K & H in canoga park. Richard, who I think is the owner is one honest mechanic.

Harry

 

[SOCALFJ]

I've known the guy at the place I take our cars for awhile and we were talking about the new test. $4,000 for the equipment! He joked that it was taking awhile for the system to pressurize on the truck. I was at about a quarter tank. Gotta wonder if your aux tank was empty and you were low on main tank how long it would take to pressurize or if the two tanks can be separated for this test.

I took my truck down filled to the brim on purpose

 

[Brentbba]

I took my truck down filled to the brim on purpose

Well, SHIAT - why didn't you tell me? You should've known I got my notice on the smog. You're the mod god and god's of any type are supposed to know these things damit! It took a good 2-3 minutes to pressurize the tank and the guy even joked that I was using up all his nitrogen! :whoops:

 

[lacruiser]

Filling it up

That's actually a great idea.

If the system is somewhat compromised, then by filling it up I'd guess the "leak" wouldn't be discovered, since the nitrogen would only encounter gasoline at the filler neck?

 

[Slomo]

It took a good 2-3 minutes to pressurize the tank and the guy even joked that I was using up all his nitrogen! :whoops:

That is probably why they want you to fill the tank first, saves them money on the nitrogen.

I am wondering why nitrogen and not just compressed air. We drive around with "air" in the tank as it empies of gas anyway. Must be the safety factor using a more or less inert gas that is in the atmosphere anyway. Sucks for the guys with the shop though.

 

[Brentbba]

That is probably why they want you to fill the tank first, saves them money on the nitrogen.

I am wondering why nitrogen and not just compressed air. We drive around with "air" in the tank as it empies of gas anyway. Must be the safety factor using a more or less inert gas that is in the atmosphere anyway. Sucks for the guys with the shop though.

If I'd have know, or if he asked me to go fill it up, I'd have been glad to do so. I'd never heard of this test before I showed up. I agree with you about the inert gas tho.