Question: I have Toyota Corolla
1.8 liter. It was fail with Engine Light on (
P0401 EGR insufficient flow ). I took the car to smog
check and the 76 Smog check Station did not tell me to fix the
car first. He just tested any way and the car everything
Pass but the Engine light function did not Pass. I took over
to my friend Smog check station and Replaced a EGR
Moduler. The Engine light off and check Engine status
and everything read but except 02 Oxygen not read. How
long do I have to drive until the Engine Status become Green
and ready.
Answer: As far as the "Check
Engine" system and it's inspection... Depending on the year
make and model of vehicle you own, this system is different.
If you own a 1996 or newer vehicle you more then likely own a
vehicle which is equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics system
called OBD II, as opposed to an OBD I system which older
vehicles were equipped with. The OBD II Diagnostic system is
designed to monitor all aspects of your engine's emission
conditions and report this information to a central database
within it's computer. This information is processed and
checked against the computers pre-determined values for
various inputs levels and performance patterns. If any
problems are found, the computer will determine whether to
alert the driver or not. If a decision has been made to alert
the driver of an emissions problem, the "Check Engine" or
"Engine Malfunction" light will illuminate on the vehicle's
dashboard. In more serious emission conditions the computer
may even begin to rapidly flash the "Check Engine/Malfunction"
light indicating to the driver, that the vehicle needs
immediate diagnosis/repair attention.
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Question: I have a question
about gas caps. I just went to get a smog check on my
Ford truck in order to pay my registration. They told me
that my gas cap did not pass the test and I had to buy a new
gas cap in order of it to pass. And if I didn't purchase
the gas cap then it most like fail the test and still had to
pay. So I ended up buying the gas cap for $25 plus the
$45 for the test. Is this true about a gas cap not
passing and failing the smog check. I also need to know if my
2006 Cadillac needs the same gas cap test.
Answer: Your vehicles gas cap
and filler neck is inspected during the smog test. They will
have to be of proper fit and design. The gas cap must be able
to hold pressure at factory specifications and the filler neck
must not be altered to accept leaded gases. This test is to
insure the vehicle is not polluting fuel tank fumes through
the filler neck or using the wrong type of fuel. Most vehicles
pass this portion of the test with no problems. If your
vehicle's gas cap appears to be lose or broken it may not
pass. You will more then likely then have to purchase a new
gas cap and smog inspection in order to get your car smog
certified. Most local auto parts stores carry gas caps for a
variety of vehicles.The state allows a vehicle owner to
purchase a new gas cap during the smog test. This allows the
smog technician to continue the smog test, without having the
fail the vehicle. The vehicle owner has a choice of purchasing
a new gas cap at a future date, however this would require the
smog technician to fail the vehicle at the time of inspection.
After a new cap is purchased a new smog inspection must be
performed. As far as your Cadillac... so far it is too new to
need a smog check. Once it becomes at least 6 years old,
you'll begin smogging it. And yes, it will need a gas cap test
as well.
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Question
(a): My check engine
light is on and therefore my 1998 Nissan Pathfinder won't
pass. The emissions is fine, just the check engine
light. Is there a cap on the $'s for repair as it is in
the 1000's? Are there other options with this type of
problem?
Question (b): I'm planning on
getting my 2001 Kia smogged soon, and I've heard that
California enacted a law that caps the amount a repair station
can charge you for repairs related to a smog check. I
was told this was law was enacted because some repair shops
took advantage of customers and inflated their repair
costs. Is this 'maximum amount' true or is it an 'urban
legend'?
Answer: Unfortunately there
is no limit on bringing a car to passing emissions. However,
California can help you repair your vehicle. You may receive
up to $500.00 dollars in FREE smog diagnosis and repairs
through the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). The CAP Repair
Assistance program is designed to help consumers bring their
vehicles into compliance with California emission standards.
Through the CAP program the State will pay the CAP repair shop
you choose up to $500.00 dollars for repair work performed on
your vehicle. You may contact the BAR at (800) 952-5210 for an
application.Economic Hardship Extension: a vehicle owner may
be eligible for if they have spent at least $450.00 at a
Certified Smog Repair station and their vehicle is still
failing OR if the vehicle requires emissions related repairs
over $250.00 and the vehicle owner is low-income and can not
afford the repair/s. Eligible consumers will receive a
two-year extension to complete necessary emissions-related
repairs. The State of California will allow Income Eligible
applicants the opportunity to register their vehicles through
the DMV and receive registration tags/stickers for two
consecutive years, WITHOUT passing the smog inspection. This
program is designed to allow Income Eligible applicants ample
time to repair their failing vehicles. To qualify for the
Economic Hardship Extension:
-Your vehicle must
have been registered in California for at least the last two
years.
-You must have failed a "biennial" Smog Check
Inspection.
-Your must not have a tampered
emissions-control system.
-You must not be in the process
of selling the vehicle or registering it in the State of
California for the first time.
-Your vehicle must require
emission related repairs in the amount of $250.00 or greater.
A written estimate/diagnosis from a certified smog repair shop
will be required.
More information can be obtained by
calling the Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR) Referee center
at 1-800-622-7733. Applications for this program can only be
issued by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs.
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Question
(a): I have some white
smoke that comes out of my SUV's (Toyota) exhaust if I idle
more than 6 minutes but when I drive its all gone. Its white
and not black. If that is seen is that an automatic
failure.
Question (b): I am having
problems with both by Ford F-150 and Acura Integra
smoking. A lot of black smoke comes out the tailpipe. A
repair shop said they need a ring jobs, would this be
considered an emission problem?
Answer: Vehicles subject to a
smog check require a visual inspection for excessive black or
white smoke being emitted from the exhaust, and ultimately,
the tailpipe. This test is in addition to the tailpipe
emissions test. If your vehicle is emitting visible smoke, you
will need to have it repaired before it can pass the smog
check. Vehicles with severe damage may be emitting smoke from
the engine comportment (under the hood). This too will cause a
Visible Smoke Test failure. Black Smoke may indicate one of
two things. 1. The engine is not burning fuel properly,
leaving behind high amounts of Carbon Monoxide (CO), resulting
in excessive black smoke being emitted from the tailpipe.
These vehicles will experience increased fuel consumption as
well. 2. Engine oil is seeping into the combustion chambers.
Oil is mixing with the fuel & air mixture, leaving behind
high amounts of carbon, seen as excessive black smoke being
emitted from the tailpipe. Oil seepage may occur due to
defective piston rings, valve seals, or Positive Crank
Ventilation (PCV) System. White Smoke may indicate a burned or
blown head gasket. Excessive white smoke (steam) is caused by
water seepage into the combustion chambers, which on a running
engine, operate around 2500f. Water has an opportunity to
enter the combustion chambers through the head gasket, at the
junction of an engine's valve head and block. This will
typically cause overheating and white smoke coming out of the
exhaust.
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Question: Hi we just bought a
used 1991 Honda from a private seller here in California. We
have to go get it smogged but are now seeing the transmission
light blinking sometimes while we are driving. I ran some
diagnostics on the car & both the 'check engine' and
transmission light produced codes pertaining to the 'VEHICLE
SPEED SENSOR' needing replacement. The check engine light
doesn't come on at all when we drive, this was just while
testing. So since the 'check engine' light isn't on steady, is
it still possible for the car to pass smog, or no chance
whatsoever if the car is registering codes?
Answer: If the light is OFF
during the test, and the vehicle produces emissions below the
state's cut score, your vehicle will pass the test. If the
light however, even flickers during any point of the
inspection, the technician will have to fail the vehicle, and
you will need to seek repairs.
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Question: I have a 2001 Chrysler
town & country V6 3.8 liter engine. I recently replaced
the axle on the driver’s side and ever since then the ABS
light stays on. Will this affect the smog outcome on my
vehicle? I know that this has nothing to do with the
emissions, but you never know.
Answer: If in fact the only light
that's illuminated is the ABS light... no problem. The smog
check does not included inspection of the ABS system. However,
something to consider; if the trouble with the ABS system is
effecting the vehicle emissions system, it may trigger an
emissions "trouble code" to be set within the ECU (Engine
Control Unit), which will cause a smog failure. I mention
this, but I don't want you to worry. Your vehicle will not
fail the test because of the ABS light
alone.