CA Emissions

[spikec]

I'm very pleased to pass on my '95 840ci to my son, who just separated from the Marines! This car has been my favorite hobby for the last 15 yrs, is very well-sorted and has had some really nice mods done to it over the years. I chipped it several years ago and since then it barely squeaked by emissions testing down here, usually with a little extra help from one of those "guys who knows someone."

Junior just scored a great job in SD and wants to stay there, but I'm a bit worried about it passing CA emissions testing before I ship it to him. Didn't the e31's ship with "smog pumps" for CA residents? Will he need one to pass, and are they even available now? Does it matter if it's now a 6-sp vs and automatic? I've also replaced the Cats, and if I recall, they were not "CA-compliant" whatever that means. Just wondering what kinds of things I need to do to make it legal for him to drive out there. I'm looking fwd to seeing him join all you guys in the So Cal club, he's a great kid! As always, thanks for your help in advance!

Cheers,
Spike

[IJustDrive]

I have a 95 840. Had a 94 6sp manual 840 and they didn't care. Not sure about the pump as mine have both been CA cars.

[TxGR8White]

Move to Texas where you don’t have to worry about that dumb ass smog test. Your car would only need to pass the safety inspection, and that only costs $7.

[TedBobo]

My '93 850Ci was sold new in Santa Monica....no smog pump. At approx 150k miles it started inching closer to failing smog. Replaced the OEM cats with OEM cats now I'm good for another 150k miles.

[m6bigdog]

V8 doesn't have a pump (M73 V12's have the pump).
1) I would replace the O2 sensors beyond 50K miles. As the O2 sensors age and plug up the AFR moves toward lean (HC close to .0) the cats will emit more NOX because the there isn't enough HC in the exhaust for the cat to convert the NOX, hence the exhaust fails NOX max.
2) Also check for misfires: intake manifold leaks, bad coils, coil extenders or plugs. Smoke test shows intake leakes. BMW DIS tool will show misfire error codes. Often random cylinders if lean-burn intake leak or a single cylinder if it is spark related.

[IJustDrive]

I would agree on the O2 Sensors. I just took my 95 to test and it missed by just a bit. 56k miles. Have new O2's sitting on the workbench ready to go in. We'll see next week.

[spikec]

Awesome, thanks guys! Is there a big difference between the non-CA cats these days? Put new Magnaflows on it a couple thousand miles ago.

[m6bigdog]

Awesome, thanks guys! Is there a big difference between the non-CA cats these days? Put new Magnaflows on it a couple thousand miles ago.

That I'm aware all NA BMW's are 50 State compliant.
The difference in the CA cats is they come with a manufacture certification as a direct replacement emissions part; for the shop that replaces the emissions part.
I assume if the car passes the emissions test then no one will look at the cats or need a certification since the car was registered out of state when the the cats were replaced.
As far as the 6-speed?
If it gets flagged in a CA emissions test; you will want to take the car to an CARB facility that can certify the swap as a BMW factory option on a vehicle that is CA emissions certified.
The 1995, E34-540i Sport has the M60-V8 with the S6S 420G 6-speed.

[spikec]

Thx M6, doesn’t sound as onerous as I originally thought.


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[cartoonz]

If the replacement cats were not 50 State "CA Compliant" cats, you will fail the visual. No, the Referee will not sign off on those either. Wait and see if that's the case.
If it is, change the cats to 50 State aftermarket
Other than that, you'll likely be ok.

[m6bigdog]

Search this site for certified Cats
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/afterm...ktcatdbase.htm

Also: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/replace.htm Engine Changes

Engine changes are only legal if they are completed in compliance with the California Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR) engine change policy. Please review all information before purchasing any vehicle with an engine change or any parts for a vehicle project. If you require additional assistance, FAQ'sare available or contact the BAR referee appointment line at: (800) 622-7733. Transmission or Transaxle Transmissions and transaxles changes alone are not legal. Transmissions and transaxles can only be changed along with their matching engine. The total engine transmission package must conform to the engine change requirements above.

[ChrisFuture8]

This is what I always do and to really simplify the process. I go to a STAR station that I trust and that the technician is easy going. I ask the tech to just run a test on the car without hooking it up to the DMV system so I get the test results without taking the risks of a failed SMOG check
.
If it runs clean and it passes the trial test, I will request the tech to run the test again and this time, hook it up to the DMV system so the passed test results be submitted and certificate printed.

If the first run failed, then I still get the printed report and tackle the repair job myself. The whole idea is to avoid my car from getting flagged by the DMV because once it does, you're required to take the car to a Cailfornia Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR) as some has mentioned for certification of repair and so forth.

Of course going this route will cost me twice for SMOG tests but I don't mind as it's less headaches than having to deal with the BAR folks.

I do this only when I think my car may have trouble passing (ie: raw exhaust smell, oil residue in exhaust tip, and such). If my CATs (CARB rated) and O2 sensors are new, I've replaced air filters, new oil, ran a couple bottles of CAT and O2 cleaners in couple of fuel fillups, then I most likely will skip this dual test process.

[m6bigdog]

This is what I always do and to really simplify the process. ....

WOW,
While it has been awhile since any of my cars have failed an emission test.
I have always repaired my cars after a emissions test failure and ever had to get any kind of certification of repair.
I've replaced cats, unplugged the EGR valves, replaced O2 sensors, etc, etc...
The shops I have gone to will re-run the test after repair, at no charge, and when it passes provide the certificate without charge.