THE VISUAL INSPECTION

During the visual portion of the Smog Inspection, the smog technician will be looking for the presence and proper connection of several State of California required, emission components. These components are all designed to reduce overall engine emissions. The technician must locate the components and verify that they are properly connected. Along with the components listed below, the smog technician will be looking for any defective or disconnected electrical connections, vacuum hoses and/or any pipe or plumbing which would effect engine performance and emissions increase.

Note: The technician's inspection is visual, and does not include the testing for proper operation of any emissions component. The technician is required to simply locate the components visually and insure they appear properly connected. If a vehicle fails the smog inspection, it is up to the vehicle owner to have the individual components inspected for proper operation.

This is true for all emissions components except the EGR valve and "Check Engine" light. The EGR valve will be inspected for functionality anytime a vehicle undergoes the "Basic" version of California's smog test, as opposed to the "Enhanced" smog test (which utilizes a Dynomometer). The "Check Engine" light is inspected on all vehicles which are equipped with one.

During your personal inspection at home, ensure all hoses and wires are in place and properly connected. The following is a list of emission components that will be examined by the smog technician:

• The Underhood Emission Label
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR)
• Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve (PCV)
• Charcoal Canister (Evaporation Control System)
• Catalytic Converter (CAT)
• Oxygen Sensor (O2 Sensor)
• Air Injection System (AIR)
• Pre-Heat Tube

Additional Emissions Components

The following emissions components will be visually inspected for presence only. Except for the EGR valve during the basic smog test, these components will not be tested for proper operation. The smog technician needs to simply see that they are present and connected:

EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve. Air Injection Pump. Pulse Air Injection System. Charcoal Canister and EVAP System. Smog Pump. Oxygen Sensor. All vacuum lines. Preheat Tube on carburated engines. Air injection system. Catalytic Converter or CAT. Check Engine light or Malfunction Indicator Lamp. TPS Throttle Position Sensor. ECT Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor.