My '83 passed California smog test - easily. And there was much rejoicing..

[MylesPH1]

Is there anything more stressful as a California owner of an older car than the smog test? It's just that unknown - if it fails, what lengths will I have to go to for a passing grade? You could chase it down forever with time and money and still have a dirty grade.

And California, of course, has chosen to make it even harder - now, there are different *levels* of smog stations. If your car is older, you have to go to a STAR certified smog station. And most smog stations around me were STAR free. No I don't know what STAR means. But if it's not STAR, you can't go there. Damn STAR.

And actually, once I found a STAR, I didn't pass at first. More accurately, my gas cap didn't pass. Yes, the gas cap valve wasn't.. Valving, I guess. Cali only tests the gas cap on cars over 14 years old, for whatever inscrutable reason. And mine was deemed not STAR worthy. So, I had to hit Autozone down the street and grab a six dollar, STAR approved, valve-functional cap.

But hey.. it worked. They ran the test again, and.. Clean bill of health. The tech admitted to being impressed by how good the numbers were. My 31 year old car runs like a champ, and all it took was a new gas cap. I patted the hood afterward like it was a good dog, overjoyed that it took next to nothing to get the passing papers.

Now I can go back to fretting over little stuff like finding trim for my euro bumpers, and adjusting the frameless windows properly. My E24 happy place :)

[EuroGeorge]

It's always a good day when a 6$ part relives $600 worth of stress.

[rmorin1249]

All I can say is I am glad I don't live in CA. My car would fail for sure as is evidenced by the soot that builds up on the rear valance on long trips.

[MylesPH1]

Well, my car gets that soot too - yet it performed better than average on every measure. Keep in mind the car only has to meet the standard for the year it was made, which isn't as strict as for a new car. Maybe your car would be fine.

[rmorin1249]

Well, my car gets that soot too - yet it performed better than average on every measure. Keep in mind the car only has to meet the standard for the year it was made, which isn't as strict as for a new car. Maybe your car would be fine.

Perhaps, but it is amazing how much "stronger" the exhaust smells than my newer cars with cats.

[EvilStar]

Well, my car gets that soot too - yet it performed better than average on every measure. Keep in mind the car only has to meet the standard for the year it was made, which isn't as strict as for a new car. Maybe your car would be fine.

Which is such BS. since they didn't implement smog checks until late 82 or 83 I believe. Mine is an early 82 and still have to deal with that BS. in fact I will be taking mine tomorrow for the same test.

It really upsets me that Arnold removed the 25 year rule and fixed exemption to 1975 and older, even though the system wasn't implemented until 82/83.

[Bert Poliakoff]

In AZ, no smog test with classic car insurance. OR, out of Maricopa county(Phoenix Valley), no smog tests.

[EvilStar]

yeah well mine failed today. such fucking bullshit.

[MylesPH1]

yeah well mine failed today. such fucking bullshit.

What are they saying is the problem?

[alpinacsi]

Sometimes a little spit on the gas cap will make it pass. ;)

You can also buy just the seal for the cap if you don't like that Chinese autozone one.

[EvilStar]

15mph - HC: 179 NO(PPM): 1705
25mph - NO: 1080

Not sure what the emission standards of 1982 where but that's what the smog place said I failed on. :[ They said I likely need a cat, all the ones I've looked up online say they are not for sale in CA.

Recently done on the car are: new O2, exhaust gaskets, oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plug wires, valve adjustment.

[MylesPH1]

Yeah high numbers - anyone know if the exhaust setup is different from '82 to '83 since that's the change in chassis? I got a new cat for my car last year, think it was $240 installed. They had it at the shop, an exhaust specialist, I could dig out the records and see who it is if you need it..

[EvilStar]

Damn, I wish I could just buy the cat and do it myself. Prices are all over the place online from 800 to 59 but no one sells online to California.

[EvilStar]

Of I'm going to pay 240 I'd rather get the IE cats then have the cats installed after that.

[Bert Poliakoff]

Damn, I wish I could just buy the cat and do it myself. Prices are all over the place online from 800 to 59 but no one sells online to California.

Hey R

You can have one shipped to me in AZ and if double shipping costs don't bother you, I can re ship to you in CA. Check your pms

[bkats]

Is there anything more stressful as a California owner of an older car than the smog test? It's just that unknown - if it fails, what lengths will I have to go to for a passing grade? You could chase it down forever with time and money and still have a dirty grade.

And California, of course, has chosen to make it even harder - now, there are different *levels* of smog stations. If your car is older, you have to go to a STAR certified smog station. And most smog stations around me were STAR free. No I don't know what STAR means. But if it's not STAR, you can't go there. Damn STAR.

And actually, once I found a STAR, I didn't pass at first. More accurately, my gas cap didn't pass. Yes, the gas cap valve wasn't.. Valving, I guess. Cali only tests the gas cap on cars over 14 years old, for whatever inscrutable reason. And mine was deemed not STAR worthy. So, I had to hit Autozone down the street and grab a six dollar, STAR approved, valve-functional cap.

But hey.. it worked. They ran the test again, and.. Clean bill of health. The tech admitted to being impressed by how good the numbers were. My 31 year old car runs like a champ, and all it took was a new gas cap. I patted the hood afterward like it was a good dog, overjoyed that it took next to nothing to get the passing papers.

Now I can go back to fretting over little stuff like finding trim for my euro bumpers, and adjusting the frameless windows properly. My E24 happy place :)

Other stresses at smog time:

"Don't slam my hood PLEASE!"

"You don't understand. You absolutely CANNOT rev my car in neutral." (<-- doesn't apply to me, but I did see an '86 owner literally BEGGING the smog guy.)

"Uhm, you gonna test my car soon? If not, I need to go run it around the block a few times."

"WTF, 'STAR'? My car didn't suddenly get cleaner. This is bull." (<--although the B35 tends to run cleaner than most)


BTW good luck adjusting your window. Total pain. You never know if it's right until you drive it up to 60+. 5th time was the charm for me.

[MylesPH1]

Lol you just described my current window experience perfectly. Driver window is great, passenger window did not pass the highway test. I'll be going at that side again first thing tomorrow morning! Maybe this time though I'll leave the door panels off until I'm sure it's right...

[dwal95008]

The local muffler shop did my cat for cheap. Magnaflow makes good ones. I passed with near 0 numbers

[DanMarshall]

Is there anything more stressful as a California owner of an older car than the smog test? It's just that unknown - if it fails, what lengths will I have to go to for a passing grade? You could chase it down forever with time and money and still have a dirty grade.

And California, of course, has chosen to make it even harder - now, there are different *levels* of smog stations. If your car is older, you have to go to a STAR certified smog station. And most smog stations around me were STAR free. No I don't know what STAR means. But if it's not STAR, you can't go there. Damn STAR.

And actually, once I found a STAR, I didn't pass at first. More accurately, my gas cap didn't pass. Yes, the gas cap valve wasn't.. Valving, I guess. Cali only tests the gas cap on cars over 14 years old, for whatever inscrutable reason. And mine was deemed not STAR worthy. So, I had to hit Autozone down the street and grab a six dollar, STAR approved, valve-functional cap.

But hey.. it worked. They ran the test again, and.. Clean bill of health. The tech admitted to being impressed by how good the numbers were. My 31 year old car runs like a champ, and all it took was a new gas cap. I patted the hood afterward like it was a good dog, overjoyed that it took next to nothing to get the passing papers.

Now I can go back to fretting over little stuff like finding trim for my euro bumpers, and adjusting the frameless windows properly. My E24 happy place :)
Lucky! My '84 just passed CA smog as well and all it took was a new CA Cat, O2 Sensor and Air Flow Meter...Oh, and a gas cap of course...

Dan M.