I don't know how long ago you bought the car, or what = the laws are in NM, but in the Peoples' Republic of California, you can = go after the person who sold you the car if it has been tampered with = so as to not pass smog.  (i.e. they have to either buy it back = from you, or pay to have it fixed)

I went through this with a Jeep I bought at a lien = sale auction.  The smog pump had been yanked out of it, and I was = able to go back to the towing company that sold it to me and demand = that they replace the smog pump, etc.  They gave me the cash = equivalent of the cost of the smog pump and related parts plus labor to = install it.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.C= OM]On Behalf
> Of margie reyes
> Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 3:55 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: The gutted cat girl...who knew = nothing
>
>
> Well Rob, it is an '82 Vanagon L.  I just = heard from the shop
> and they said it
> will not pass emissions since it has dual = carburetors.  We
> need to go to a
> single Carburetor or fuel injection, they = suggest the single
> carburetor because
> maintenance will be less expensive.  He = quoted me about $600
> to go to a single
> (not bad).  Right now he is going to write = up the paperwork,
> because here in new
> mexico (albuquerque) if it is major mechanical = work in order
> for it to pass
> emissions  (over $500) you can get a 1year = extension to make
> the necessary
> repairs.  I am also checking into = registering it to one of
> the small counties
> around me that don't require emissions to = register.  The guy
> is saying it runs
> bad, but I have been driving it for a couple of = days and the
> only problem I have
> had is that it wants to stall (stalled once, = but started
> after a few minutes,
> and as long as I keep my foot on the gas hard = when I take off
> its okay.  It was
> parked for awhile when we bought it, and then = we put
> denatured alcohol in
> it(friends suggestion to pass emissions), so it = may be
> cleaning out the bad
> gas)
> I figured a good tune up and it would be fine, = but I guess
> not.  He says it
> needs major carburetor adjustments, and that we = should just
> replace the dual for
> the single since it needs that much work.  = Thanks for the
> interest Rob, any
> suggestions?
> Margie
> Sad Vanagon owner
>
> Rob & Lrae Winterkorn wrote:
>
> > I honestly don't think a catalytic = converter is all your
> going to need to
> > pass the test.
> > Your van sounds like its been totally = modified with no
> management system for
> > the fuel in tack.
> > You may find the money needed to invest = for the van to pass
> is not going to
> > be worth it.
> > Questions: What year is the van, what = state do you live in
> and also what are
> > the minimum standards for the test. like = CO idle, 2500 rpm levels.
> > You may want to try to locate a complete = engine with all
> the fuel injection
> > than sell your motor or possible = trade.
> > It sounds like a good motor with the = carbs, just not for
> areas that test.
> >
> > The cost could balance out.
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > margie reyes wrote:
> >
> > > Okay, I don't know if you remember = me, but I am the one
> who asked about
> > > the gutted cat.  Well, come to = find out we have one (we
> were told it did
> > > not have one when we bought = it).  It may be no good but
> we have one.  My
> > > uncle looked at it and I guess it use = to have fuel
> injection, now it has
> > > duel carburetors.  There is lots = of stuff missing, like an oxygen
> > > sensor, and lots of stuff = unplugged.  It won't pass
> emissions.  We have
> > > just taken it into the shop, and are = on pins and needles
> waiting to hear
> > > the news on cost $$$$$.  It runs = great, except when it is
> driven a lot
> > > it wants to stall.  I am just = hoping it won't be too
> expensive.  We are
> > > just waiting to hear.  I will = let you know.  Thanks to
> all who helped me
> > > out when I asked about the = cat.
> > > Margie
> > > 82 vanagon
>