Since my new 405 is running great now, I decided to take it in and
get it smogged so I can finish getting it registered.
I went to the test only place I always go to, and they did the dyno
run, which it passed. When it came time for the rest of the test,
they complained about the lack of timing marks like they always do,
but passed it when I pointed out that the timing is non adjustable.
But there is a new test. It's a "Low Pressure Fuel Evaporative
Test". They put an adaptor with hose in place of your fuel filler
cap, and pinch off the evap line from the tank to the charcoal
cannister. They put 1/2 pound of nitrogen into the gas tank and test
that it does not leak out. They implemented this in November I
believe and my Audi already went through this process. However, they
did not have the adapter for the 405 and did not know which line to
pinch off, even after I pointed the lines out to them. In the end,
they sent me away without making me pay, but also without a pass.
Another Chevron station would not touch the car and said I was out
of luck since they didn't have the adaptor.
I went home and did some research on the 'net, and came across this
page explaining the new test.
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdPage.asp?Body=/consumer/lpfet.htm
OnOnI found that there are exemptions, and the 405 is exempt from this
nonsense test in 3 ways. Shops should know this. 1. There is no
adapter for the gas filler neck. This is an automatic exemption. 2.
The charcoal cannister is not readily accessable. 3. The lines to
the tank are hard plastic and cannot be pinched.
I finally took the car to a "Gold Shield" referee staion. I
explained it all to them, and the agreed and said they'd test the
car and not do the evap test. It passed the roller test once again,
but unfortunately it failed the visual inspection. The threaded part
of the filler neck is cracked completly in half. The tech failed the
car, but at least for a valid reason. I have a spare filler neck
which I will install and then go back for a retest. It's a whole lot
better than being told I was "out of luck."
Have any other CA residents here dealt with this test yet? I'd like
to hear other's experiences.
OnI'm glad the 505 SD is there for me when my gasoline cars get held
up bureaucratic smog test nonsense.
Received on Sun Feb 24 00:12:18 2008
