Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:14:51 -0700
Reply-To: Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Smog test failed - here is my plan
In-Reply-To: <867799.36641.qm@web83607.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the data point. The is the cat part number on the Van-Cafe web
site. I called them this morning and they confirmed it is not California
legal. I think it is related to all the new CARB rules that went into
effect this year in 2009. Perhaps yours went through because it was still
2008. There are some emails in the archives from the past 8 months
discussing the new CARB rules, but I still don't understand it all (related
to OBD issues, and CAT types, etc.). Evidently California changed some of
the regulations in the meantime.
Mine had passed smog 2 years ago, no problem. And also 4 years ago, no
problem. Who knows, maybe the cat did wear out and that is what is needed.
Frustrating because it was running very well, even the shop said it is all
is very good shape and running well -- (oops, I might get started down a
controversial discussion if I complain about spending all these $ on a
vehicle that runs very well, all in good shape, except that the peoples
republic of california is making me spend loads of extra $ for questionable
reasons).
Roland
(also in the San Diego area).
On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 8:48 AM, RICHARD KOERNER <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>wrote:
> Roland,
>
> You wrote: The Van-Cafe cat for only $135.00 is not California legal.
>
> Hmm-mm....I bought a Van Cafe catalytic converter (item 025.131.701A) for
> $145 in November 2008. Had it installed by a local shop, along with a new
> muffler ($109, item 025.251.053E). Now, these are for a 1.9 engine. Also
> installed a new oxygen sensor at the same time. Anyway, a couple days
> later, went for my bi-annual smog inspection at the local Test Only station,
> and passed with flying colors, well below the requirements, and better than
> the results 2 years earlier when I still had the original factory cat.
>
> So just a point of reference for you.
>
> Rich
> 85 GL Vanagon
> San Diego
>
> --- On Wed, 8/5/09, Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> From: Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Smog test failed - here is my plan
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 8:30 AM
>
> Ok,
>
> The saga continues ('89 2.1). I had the shop try to tune it up so it would
> pass smog, but not yet. They put in a new oxygen sensor, cap/rotor, and
> did
> some tune up things like the adjust the timing and AFM meter adjustment (I
> guess). They have a pretest capability, but then bring it down the road to
> a certified smog test station and then that failed. So the next
> recommended
> step is a new catalytic converter. So I am for about $450.00 already for
> all the various things and still no pass.
>
> I admit I don't fully understand all the new California CARB issues after
> reading through the archives for the last year or so. But there are
> "special" cats that are needed for California. The shop stated around
> $400.00 for a new cat, with about an hour to install. This makes sense. I
> found at least one California legal cat here:
> http://www.car-sound.com/02product/shopdisplayproducts.asp (after you
> select
> some drop down lists) with an MSRP of $390.00. The Van-Cafe cat for only
> $135.00 is not California legal.
>
> A couple of weeks ago I applied for the California CAP program and the the
> qualification letter came through -- yes looks like our vanagons qualify.
> http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov. It means that I pay the first $100.00 of
> repairs, and then the state pays the next $500.00 of repairs. So I am
> going
> to bring it to a "CAP certified" test/repair place and try to cut my
> losses. It is always a difficult choice: when the Vanagon needs this kind
> of thing, do I bring it to the VW expert or to the smog expert? So I
> started with the VW expert, and now will move it to the smog expert,
> clearly
> because I want to use the state help $ to get this done now.
>
> We'll see how it goes, I've learned to do more and more repairs on my own,
> but when it comes to smog testing I just can't see how to do it in the
> backyard. Thanks for all your previous suggestions and comments.
>
> Roland
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 12:02 PM, Roland <syncronicity1@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Yes, one of our favorite subjects: good old CA smog test, '89 2.1. It
> has
> > passed twice before without needing help, but not this time.
> >
> > It has high hydrocarbons at idle, which means it is running rich.
> >
> > So, I plan to change cap, rotor, plugs which is the advice I gathered
> from
> > the archives. Also will use a bottle of injector cleaner for the next
> few
> > days.
> >
> > Actually, I am going to let the shop do it, since they have a pre-test
> > capability and work with the local official smog check station to get it
> > passed. VW Paradise (http://www.vwparadise.com), north San Diego
> County,
> > have had some work done there before, seem like pretty good guys. Seems
> > there are always 4- 6 vanagons there in various state of repairs.
> >
> > I would do those "tune-up" items myself, but by the time I get it done,
> and
> > maybe adjust the AFM (which I've never done), I'd be guessing, and then
> go
> > back to get it checked again, and if it fails, then guess again, and go
> > back. The process stinks, given all the governmental stuff in CA, I am
> > getting sick of this state anyway (sorry for the editorial). Recent
> reports
> > show the smog test system as useless: now there are so many newer cars
> on
> > the road which don't go bad, that this whole smog test junk is just a tax
> on
> > older car owners.
> >
> > Things I learned from the Smog Test station (who is a really good guy):
> > - don't use premium fuel - it will increases the probability of failure.
> > - don't ever buy ARCO gas, he was adamant about this!
> > - California has a CAP program which my Van qualfies. I have to mail in
> an
> > application, then if approved I go to a CAP qualified repair facility,
> and I
> > pay the first $100.00 of smog repairs, then the state pays the next
> > $500.00. But many of these "certified" CAP stations refuse to touch
> > vanagons. Takes about 2 weeks to hear back from the state after you send
> > the application.
> >
> > Any comments appreciated.
> >
> > Roland
> >
> >
>
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