Re: Question re failing smog check
 

Screwtape III wrote:
> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>
>
>>Screwtape III wrote:
>>
>>>jimsocal@hotmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi. My 97 Accent GT is running just fine, and only has 55k miles
>>>>on it, but I took it to get it smog checked in CA the other day
>>>>and the guy said it was failing so he shut it down before it
>>>>reported the failure to the state.
>>>>
>>>>He said that because he shut it down he has no idea why it is
>>>>failing. Suggested MAYBE if I get the oil changed it might help.
>>>>
>>>>My question to you experts is:
>>>>What should I do or what can I do to help it pass when I take it
>>>>in next week?
>>>>
>>>>Someone else told me that getting an oil change andt tune up will
>>>>not help. I already ran a dose of engine cleaner in it, and that
>>>>apparently didn't help.
>>>>
>>>>I was very surprised when it did not pass.
>>>>
>>>>How should I proceed? What I am hoping to avoid is a situation
>>>>where I take it to a mechanic after it fails and they run up a
>>>>$300-X000 bill getting it to pass the test. It really should not
>>>>be in bad shape with the number of miles I have on it, and with
>>>>it running good, not burning oil or anything...
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for any suggestions.
>>>
>>>
>>>You didn't give us much information on the maintenance history of
>>>the car but if you haven't done so already, you need to change the
>>>timing belt.
>>
>>True, but that won't have any effect on emmisions.
>>
>>
>>>While your at it, change the air filter, spark plugs & wires -
>>>IOW a tuneup.
>>>
>>
>>Depending on the nature of the failure, that and an oil change may be
>>enough to get it to pass. Try to find out what pollutants were out of
>>spec. If it's CO, put a quart of denatured alcohol in the tank before
>>getting it tested again.
>>
>>At the age of your car, it's possible that the catalytic converter(s)
>>is(are) worn out or clogged. If that's the case, replacement is the
>>only option. If the car is otherwise in good shape and you think it
>>will last a few more years, it may be worth the cost to do the
>>repairs. If not, do what I did; sell it cheap to a mechanic who can
>>fix it himself, then buy another car.
>
>
> Or, he could move to Florida. We eliminated auto emission tests (along
> with mothercycle helmet laws) when we elected a Republican govenor.

In New Hampshire, we eliminated testing by cleaning up the air to the
point that it wasn't necessary. That seems like a better solution to me.

Re: Question re failing smog check
 

Screwtape III wrote:
> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>
>
>>Screwtape III wrote:
>>
>>>jimsocal@hotmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi. My 97 Accent GT is running just fine, and only has 55k miles
>>>>on it, but I took it to get it smog checked in CA the other day
>>>>and the guy said it was failing so he shut it down before it
>>>>reported the failure to the state.
>>>>
>>>>He said that because he shut it down he has no idea why it is
>>>>failing. Suggested MAYBE if I get the oil changed it might help.
>>>>
>>>>My question to you experts is:
>>>>What should I do or what can I do to help it pass when I take it
>>>>in next week?
>>>>
>>>>Someone else told me that getting an oil change andt tune up will
>>>>not help. I already ran a dose of engine cleaner in it, and that
>>>>apparently didn't help.
>>>>
>>>>I was very surprised when it did not pass.
>>>>
>>>>How should I proceed? What I am hoping to avoid is a situation
>>>>where I take it to a mechanic after it fails and they run up a
>>>>$300-X000 bill getting it to pass the test. It really should not
>>>>be in bad shape with the number of miles I have on it, and with
>>>>it running good, not burning oil or anything...
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for any suggestions.
>>>
>>>
>>>You didn't give us much information on the maintenance history of
>>>the car but if you haven't done so already, you need to change the
>>>timing belt.
>>
>>True, but that won't have any effect on emmisions.
>>
>>
>>>While your at it, change the air filter, spark plugs & wires -
>>>IOW a tuneup.
>>>
>>
>>Depending on the nature of the failure, that and an oil change may be
>>enough to get it to pass. Try to find out what pollutants were out of
>>spec. If it's CO, put a quart of denatured alcohol in the tank before
>>getting it tested again.
>>
>>At the age of your car, it's possible that the catalytic converter(s)
>>is(are) worn out or clogged. If that's the case, replacement is the
>>only option. If the car is otherwise in good shape and you think it
>>will last a few more years, it may be worth the cost to do the
>>repairs. If not, do what I did; sell it cheap to a mechanic who can
>>fix it himself, then buy another car.
>
>
> Or, he could move to Florida. We eliminated auto emission tests (along
> with mothercycle helmet laws) when we elected a Republican govenor.

In New Hampshire, we eliminated testing by cleaning up the air to the
point that it wasn't necessary. That seems like a better solution to me.