I live in southern cal and have had this car for almost a month in california and can not pass smog....help? I think i need to connect the egr valve, connect the breather on the valve cover to the intake and recirculate the blow off valve into the intake as well. it runs a bit below normal on the temperature side. in start up it tends to blow a bit of white smoke then goes away after running it for 20mins. when i go to turn it off...it sometimes blow black smoke. my operating permit expires on the 28th of feburary.....:(

Do you have a check engine light? What are the OBDII trouble codes? Are they looking for actual smog emission levels or OBDII compliance?

Either way you are going to need the factory emissions control equipment before you even think about passing in California.

A turbo'd 2gnt can pass the cali sniffer test. So, again, what is your CEL code?

Hook up the EGR system, make sure you have a legal functioning cat, and you should be fine.

As others have stated above, use a scanning tool to see what codes you throw. I am sure one of them is going to be an EGR code as it looks like it is not connected.

its the actual emissions in order to pass. I think its just a matter of connecting the egr sensor to the intake? there's this sensor with the daimler star with a port that looks like a tiny hose should connect to it. also the car sits really low so i'm hoping to get a race jack to lift it to check to see if there even is a CAT. From under the hood it looks like it doesn't. hoping to make this car pass so its all legit and can attend car meets! :)

the exact codes i don't remember cause the asian guy who failed it read the codes and then deleted them. i remember....

too much air into the manifold-explains fuel cut off?
no activity on speed circuit-explains why the speedometer doesn't work
EVAP malfunction-can't explain that one

You have an EVAP code. ugh. Check the integrity of all the vac lines going to your evap canister. By the sound of your previous posts, check to even see if you HAVE an evap canister/lines going to it.

One time I was working on my 2g and some random gas meter reader guy came up to me and asked how much I knew about eclipses. He couldn't pass smog - I ended up selling him a 60 mm TB and found that his vac tube going to the evap canister was missing. Solved like 3 problems in 3 minutes.

hmm, when i lived there, my boosted car passed sniff, but not visual.. im not sure how your getting away with passing anything.. i had to gather some "greddy tubo kit" CARB stickers...but as code said , you need the factory stuff hooked up, if he failed you , and you have to go to the referee, then youll have to de-turbo and find all the stock parts, b/c they will rip you apart.. clearing the codes wont really do you much good, i tried that trick, but they will dive your car till it gets in an open loop.or untill the time between when you clear them and when the computer will issue new codes expires..its been my experiance the only way to pass a 420a boosted in cali is to do it right: de tubo, basically go back to stock, or Bribe them: good luck.... or fake CARB stickers and be able to pass the sniff test.... like i said my turbo 420a actually blew cleaner (less o2,nox emissions ect) then my stock 420a..

also note, unless the laws changed, if you get pulled over CHP can pop ur hood, and hood pins no longer count as locked compartment, you would need the locking style...thats why i left, shit got to lame there.. so keep that in mind, i would hate to see you do all this work to get leagal, then have CHP pop you and give you tickets, or take the car that would suck.. and once they label you , youll be stalked by law enforcement, and any reason they will pull ya over... least thats how it was in nor cal (san jose area) with their task force..

You can pass without "de-turboing", and no bribing is necessary. You need to have smog related components installed though. Also, cops can't pop your hood unless you consent to a search. Never consent. If they push and say they can get a warrant, you haven't been speaking tactfully to him. In that case, still refuse any searches.

theres no "visual inspection " in so cal? there is in nor cal, all the corner shops/stations that smogged always did a visaul, sniff at 15 and 25 mph and gas cap check... ive been hit by visual b/c they saw aftermarket parts with no CARB numbers/stickers..

as for for pop ur hood, police cant, CHP can...if your car appears modified, they CAN pop your hood. its how my civic (i know haha fail for having a civic) got taken..the amendment allowing them to do so was passed in 07?. ill see if i can dig it up, b/c when i got all my tickets, we tried the "illegal search and seizure" and we got shot down b/c "appearing modified" allowed for "reasonable suspicion" they nabbed arond 40 of us that night < blocked us all in, that shit was orchestrated lol>, there were ~7 different counties/agencies that came down on us at an every Saturday meet on el camino real.. they checked headlight level, exhaust (mirror under car) popped hoods, those that refused were towed..i opted for the ticket..it was lame.

may b they are more lax in so cal, but the visual killed me..to the point where i had to forge CARB stickers or the car would not be able to be registered in CA,

all im sayin is be careful, once your in their system, youll be a target. They had LPR on their cars and would go thru our meets checking out plates, and if any one "pinged" as some one thats been caught racing, or has had tickets for aftermarket parts, you could bet as soon as they left the parking lot, a stalking CHP would nab them up, it was so bad that ppl would leave in packs to better their chances..

any way, OP, if your only failing sniff test and they dont care bout viz, then get the egr hooked up and a CAT.. if you dont have a cat, thats a 1000$ ticket..and they dont buy "test pipe" either : (. GL, just keep an eye out, times are hard so anytime they can get your $$ they will..

Originally posted by streetlightning
theres no "visual inspection " in so cal? there is in nor cal, all the corner shops/stations that smogged always did a visaul, sniff at 15 and 25 mph and gas cap check..

We do have a visual inspection in socal, so... make the car look like it's stock. Everything underneath the hood should look as stock (AKA boring) as possible. These cars are old enough that people not familiar with them really don't know what is stock and what is not.

Oh yes the "reasonable suspicion" issue. This is why it pays to have your car as stealth as possible.

Originally posted by streetlightning
theres no "visual inspection " in so cal? there is in nor cal, all the corner shops/stations that smogged always did a visaul, sniff at 15 and 25 mph and gas cap check... ive been hit by visual b/c they saw aftermarket parts with no CARB numbers/stickers.. as for for pop ur hood, police cant, CHP can...if your car appears modified, they CAN pop your hood. its how my civic (i know haha fail for having a civic) got taken..the amendment allowing them to do so was passed in 07?. ill see if i can dig it up, b/c when i got all my tickets, we tried the "illegal search and seizure" and we got shot down b/c "appearing modified" allowed for "reasonable suspicion" they nabbed arond 40 of us that night < blocked us all in, that shit was orchestrated lol>, there were ~7 different counties/agencies that came down on us at an every Saturday meet on el camino real.. they checked headlight level, exhaust (mirror under car) popped hoods, those that refused were towed..i opted for the ticket..it was lame. may b they are more lax in so cal, but the visual killed me..to the point where i had to forge CARB stickers or the car would not be able to be registered in CA, all im sayin is be careful, once your in their system, youll be a target. They had LPR on their cars and would go thru our meets checking out plates, and if any one "pinged" as some one thats been caught racing, or has had tickets for aftermarket parts, you could bet as soon as they left the parking lot, a stalking CHP would nab them up, it was so bad that ppl would leave in packs to better their chances.. any way, OP, if your only failing sniff test and they dont care bout viz, then get the egr hooked up and a CAT.. if you dont have a cat, thats a 1000$ ticket..and they dont buy "test pipe" either : (. GL, just keep an eye out, times are hard so anytime they can get your $$ they will..

your so right about them taking $$ with whatever chance they can. the same day my car got impounded, my lil bro got his impounded (has red talon) and my dad got a speeding ticket to help me get home that night for 3 over...i thought the rule was 5 over??? cause i know cruise control will go up or lower sometimes than the set speed limit. hating these times.....when is the next party?? lol. my friend really wants this car but as a friend i think i gotta do him a favor n sell this car out of state so we don't get any more problems. i've never had a car that can do high 12 sec quarter mile runs, have the mileage of a hybrid, awesome handling n braking, actual seating for 4 and be easy on the eye than this car. to me, its a diamond in the rough but seeing more rough now before seeing the diamond she can be.

Originally posted by ez
You can pass without "de-turboing", and no bribing is necessary. You need to have smog related components installed though. Also, cops can't pop your hood unless you consent to a search. Never consent. If they push and say they can get a warrant, you haven't been speaking tactfully to him. In that case, still refuse any searches.

wow, i'll keep that in mind on not consenting. like I said earlier it's only the cops that hang out by this 7 eleven and shopping center by my house. i've never been pulled over soo much since living in virginia where i got pulled over at least 7 times a month on my car and 10 times on foot. F virginia so I decided to go back home, cali....but now I'm thinking cali HAS CHANGED....and like obama...you can keep the change!!

Originally posted by streetlightning
hmm, when i lived there, my boosted car passed sniff, but not visual.. im not sure how your getting away with passing anything.. i had to gather some "greddy tubo kit" CARB stickers...but as code said , you need the factory stuff hooked up, if he failed you , and you have to go to the referee, then youll have to de-turbo and find all the stock parts, b/c they will rip you apart.. clearing the codes wont really do you much good, i tried that trick, but they will dive your car till it gets in an open loop.or untill the time between when you clear them and when the computer will issue new codes expires..its been my experiance the only way to pass a 420a boosted in cali is to do it right: de tubo, basically go back to stock, or Bribe them: good luck.... or fake CARB stickers and be able to pass the sniff test.... like i said my turbo 420a actually blew cleaner (less o2,nox emissions ect) then my stock 420a.. also note, unless the laws changed, if you get pulled over CHP can pop ur hood, and hood pins no longer count as locked compartment, you would need the locking style...thats why i left, shit got to lame there.. so keep that in mind, i would hate to see you do all this work to get leagal, then have CHP pop you and give you tickets, or take the car that would suck.. and once they label you , youll be stalked by law enforcement, and any reason they will pull ya over... least thats how it was in nor cal (san jose area) with their task force..

i've taken it to two different places. the first place wouldn't even look at the car. they took one look(guess the visual check) and said no, not till you A) find all the codes for the parts that are aftermarket saying their legal in california or B) return everything to stock. yeah i heard wind of people saying that in california if your car is modified they force you to a shop where they will remove everything and put it back to stock AND leave you with the bill PLUS a ticket. if not that, then your car gets crushed.... :( please tell me thats not true.

LUCKLY the few CHP's that have pulled me over are more interested in why I don't have plates till they see the permit. They try to say I was flying and that my exhaust is too loud. One of the chp's told me it has to go because in california anything that is deemed unnecessary in a vehicle needs to be removed or receive a ticket. no tickets thankfully!! for me it seems to be riverside. I'm already filing for harassment because how is it that I drive to san diego, orange, los angeles and riverside county's on a daily basis through freeways and streets but the only time I get harassed is by MY HOUSE in riverside....wtf!?!?!its already been 4 times in this past week! haha i stay at a buddys house sometimes cuz im afraid to go home. :P

ok, ill check all the vac lines and check to see if i even have a evap canister. heh, i got another problem too but posted that on the turbo section....i love this car but i feel like im starting to dig a money pit :(

Where in so cal do you live? I'm pretty close to la and smog is a bitch here. You will not pass the visual regardless of whether you burn clean out the tailpipe. Cops do not care if you won't let them search they will just call a tow truck and impound it. I've seen it happen numerous times. You will need to find someone that will ignore what's under the hood which usually requires some extra cash. There are several places that will for about $150. Thats what I did. If your CEL is from positive manifold pressure, reset ecu and take it to smog. Do not hit boost though or cel again. Good luck. We need it here in cali

i told you... idk how EZ gets away with it..

as for crushing, idk depends on alot of things, if you dont get outa impoud they may crush since you have illegal parts..your in their system, thats why they harass you. they tag you as modified, and everytime your plate gets recognized by LPR or the LPR on some stop lights, it posts up on the cops system...if they are board, they hunt for you..thats how they did it in santa clara in 07-08 when they were trialing the system... my vote. de turbo, especially if your having issues, go back to stock for now, get ur car legal and running right.. then boost..Imo

I knew things were awful in California, but didn't think it was this bad... 1x more reason to live in another state. At my work, we're constantly moving companies out of California to Nevada (for plenty of other reasons)... how close are you to NV? How are their 'restrictions'? Maybe pull a street address in a UPS Store or something (just think of all the taxes you'll save).

- J

cant, theyve already closed that loop hole, you can only have an outa state plate for 6mo if your registered to another state. so it would work but only for 6 mo. once they discover you have a residence in cali,yet outa state plates your hosed.. i thought that would work too, but they have their shit nailed down...

you would have to get a DL there too.. then you may be able to work it, but they can still give you a ticket for somthing thats illigal in cali thats not in Nv..

bottom line cali sux

Well, I have gotten one thing out of this post..glad I don't live in Cali! I am in NY which is supposed to also be one of the tougher places to pass, but I have never had an issue. Heck, last time I needed to get inspection done I told the dude at PepBoys that I had no EGR system, and that I had a resistor wired in instead which confuses the ECU for a good 300-500 miles during which time it wont throw a code, and he still passed me.

Cali sucks...period.

well i've been in new york, illinois, maryland, virginia and now california. by far virginia is the gayest....$3k speeding tickets with a 3 yr tax fine up to $700 dollars a yr...were you can't drive certain places more than once or you get a ticket. maryland was too crazy for me...you literally have to throw your car into traffic and hope you get enough traction to get up to speed before they rear end you. new york was over rated...i was the crazy driver there haha. illinois was nice and cali is home but now im REALLY reconsidering.

i just got a ticket for the car being modified and the letter that came from the superior court of california read,"$500 with corrections and $1500 with out". what happened to cali....it use to be cool.

going to smog it on the 8th...if it fails again i might have to sell her....anyone need a 98 rs-t with a star stage 2 kit, tenzo R mean 6 17" rims with greddy lcd and greddy exhaust?? I'll let her go for $2400 or obo! god i hope it passes!!!

Wow, I guess i'm glad I don't live in cali. Hell here in Kentucky we don't have any smog/emmisions testing at all. Or modified "visual checks". As long as you have all your lights working then your good to go.

But on the down side we also have about a quarter the crowd as everywhere else in the US. Indiana doesn't have any of those stupid ass inspections either, or at least not inforced. However they do have some really stupid motorcycle regulations. My buddy just got a ticket because his pipes where to tall, and his handlebars were to high from his seat.

Originally posted by halfasss101
Where in so cal do you live? I'm pretty close to la and smog is a bitch here. You will not pass the visual regardless of whether you burn clean out the tailpipe. Cops do not care if you won't let them search they will just call a tow truck and impound it. I've seen it happen numerous times. You will need to find someone that will ignore what's under the hood which usually requires some extra cash. There are several places that will for about $150. Thats what I did. If your CEL is from positive manifold pressure, reset ecu and take it to smog. Do not hit boost though or cel again. Good luck. We need it here in cali

I did the same thing. My cars has no check engine light but it always failed on NOX or Hydrocarbons. I'm assuming when I put the 1mm oversized valves in my car that's what caused my issue. Luckily a friend of mines has a shop and passed it for me for $200.00. It's expensive but definitely saves the headache. California's emissions laws are full of shit.