Failed Smog Test, Again - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

retiredat44 · 05-09-2009, 09:32 AM

Failed Smog Test, Again. Every 2 years, at Smog Test time, it fails. Every year the new catalytic converter needs to be replaced.

Also, our dirtbag asswipe governor Arnold Shwartzneger raised the DMV fees. Now they charge $50.00 for Yearly license extension. I told my wife (it's in her name) to get the smog test done 2 months ago, had she, we would not be filing late because of the failed test. But there was no public notice of a new late fee charge here in the $hithole of California. (I was born here and it was once a paridise, but that was 1/2 century ago).

Having a new Cat Converter only last less than 2 years is fraud by everyone. The state is a crook, the Cat maker is a crook. What a racket!

1989 Toyota Corolla SR5, Carb.

kcwa · 05-09-2009, 10:20 AM

I feel your pain. At least here in Washington we get to forgo the "bad breath test" once the vehicle is 25 years old. Not sure if you have that option available in California or not.

It sounds like replacing the cat gets your car to pass the test. A cat should last a lot longer than 2 years. What brand of cat are you using? Maybe there are quality of cats that are better than others...?

***REN69*** · 05-09-2009, 01:28 PM

$50? that's it? we pay $75 CDN every year for our stickers... roughly about what, $60 US? that's on top of the $35 fee for emission testing, $15 re-testing fee if you fail, plus parts and labour on any emission item that has to be replaced.

retiredat44 · 05-09-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REN69

$50? that's it? we pay $75 CDN every year for our stickers... roughly about what, $60 US? that's on top of the $35 fee for emission testing, $15 re-testing fee if you fail, plus parts and labour on any emission item that has to be replaced.

that's not for a sticker! that's for an extension... !

extension is when you car needs an extension so the work can be done and submitted to the DMV after the due date for the yearly license fees..

retiredat44 · 05-09-2009, 06:59 PM

I have no idea what brand the Cats are... the shop installs them, that's all I know.. and yes, they are new..

hollowreaper13 · 05-09-2009, 10:07 PM

yeah dude i live in california and i hate these laws, i mean every other state is fine with it, but nope cali is a bitch... right now i'm trying to find a short ram intake for my sedan but the dont make any, not any brand, so there goes that whole "legality" thing out the window... damn you california damn you all to hell (Charlton Heston crying and shaking fist).

90 GP · 05-10-2009, 06:03 AM

Can't help but wonder if your EGR and associated plumbing is either clogged with carbon or inoperative. Another possibility is the oxygen sensor . Granted it may be hard to get emmissions low with a carb but two years on a cat converter is pretty excessive.

kcwa · 05-10-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 GP

Can't help but wonder if your EGR and associated plumbing is either clogged with carbon or inoperative. Another possibility is the oxygen sensor . Granted it may be hard to get emmissions low with a carb but two years on a cat converter is pretty excessive.

Unless the shop is using POS cats...

90 GP · 05-10-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcwa

Unless the shop is using POS cats...

Or they are taking the easy and most profitable solution for them instead of researching what the real cause is.

kcwa · 05-10-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 GP

Or they are taking the easy and most profitable solution for them instead of researching what the real cause is.

True. Knowing the name of this national shop could answer that question...

retiredat44 · 05-10-2009, 01:40 PM

Budget Smog in Vista, Ca.

http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/busines...ta-ca-6002036/

they do the work.

But it's the product that fails, not their work. Unless they are using parts that are known to fail after 1 years use.

NZAE92 · 05-10-2009, 03:37 PM

come to new zealand we have no emmissions testing only warrant of fitness lol

retiredat44 · 06-01-2009, 07:10 PM

I am frakking pissed! I took it to another shop to fix the car and re-test it for smog after repairs. The first shop, a California Test-Only station failed it. I took it to a new shop, that I have fix the car everytime it fails smog. They could not find one single problem! it passed smog without even touching a screw driver!

The first shop failed it, and that costs about $50.00, then we had to pay the stinking state of California because it just went passed the registration due date without passing. That was $50.00. Total $100.00 !!

Then it turned out it passed without any work needing done. So we had to pay the 2nd test. so add another $50.00 !

We were screwed (insert bad word here) good by a smog station that failed it and the state for a charge for delay, even though it passed! The smog-test-only station tested the smog before the registration was due, so at that time we were not late. I am going to raise holy Frakkin hell with the State of California and these crooked smog stations!

How can the fail then pass be explained away! They can't. When it failed the numbers were way, way, way over the limits! Then we go to have it fixed, ther is nothing to fix and it passes with flying colors!

1989 Toyota Corolla SR5

I am going to find out who to tell to go F themselves.

kcwa · 06-02-2009, 08:15 AM

...kinda sounds like a little fraud going on with the first shop.

gameguru1360 · 06-02-2009, 09:45 AM

that's what sucks about modding a car that is older than 5 years because it may or may not pass smog and it's the hassle of switching out the factory air box with the aftermarket intake.