5 Star Smog Check in Huntington Beach
JUST SMOGS®+ Repair in Huntington Beach is now offering Vehicle Safety Systems Inspections (VSSI). The California DMV requires a passing Vehicle Safety Inspection to register your car or motorcycle post an accident that results in a total loss (salvage title). Feel free to give us a call to schedule your appointment today.
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This 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L with a check engine light on failed a California smog check for the functional portion of the smog check. The vehicle originally failed at another smog shop for “Not Ready”. Apparently a mechanic cleared the MIL and sent the customer on her way. After attempting to complete the drive cycle, the check engine light appeared with P1416 DTC.
Although we diagnosed the problem associated with the P1416 DTC, the Air injection monitor still would not complete. During the drive cycle, P0141 & P0161 pending DTCs appeared in the system. Upon testing oxygen sensor bank 1 sensor 2, our technician found high resistance within the heater circuit of the sensor.
We are an official California licensed Smog Test & Repair Facility. Our technicians have the appropriate training and certifications to diagnose and repair your vehicle. When it comes to replacing your defective catalytic converter, it is paramount that the exact California approved converter is installed. Many installers do not understand the intricacies of the California Air Resource Board’s Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Program.
We install both aftermarket and OEM converters. Our aftermarket catalytic converters carry a 5 year / 50,000 mile warranty. If you would like a quote or catalytic converter advice, please feel free stop by or give us a call: (714) 596-1019. The JUST SMOGS team is here to help.
The evaporative emissions control system (EVAP) on your vehicle is designed to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere from your gasoline tank.
Fuel vapors are composed of hydrocarbon molecules (HC) which when exposed to sunlight and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) result in photo-chemical smog. Photo chemical smog is that brown hazy stuff that nobody wants to see in the sky.
These compounds are also known to cause eye irritations and respiratory problems. That’s why hydrocarbon control and reduction is a major component of your car’s emissions control strategy.
As stored fuel in you
r gas tank evaporates fuel vapors are collected and stored in a canister filled with activated charcoal (the EVAP canister).
When your engine is running and warmed up, engine vacuum siphons stored fuel vapors from the EVAP canister and into the intake manifold. These fuel vapors are added to the engine’s air fuel mixture and are burned off as part of the normal combustion process.
When many people see a “Check Engine Light” (Proper name: Malfunction Indicator Light ; a.k.a MIL) they immediately think, “Check the gas cap”. That’s because a missing, loose, or damaged gas cap often is the cause of an illuminated MIL due to a failed EVAP leak test.
Under specific conditions, often while your vehicle is parked overnight, your vehicle’s on board diagnostic system (OBDII) will perform a series of EVAP system tests.
During EVAP testing, a loose or missing gas cap will be detected as a leak, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored, and the MIL will illuminate.
A loose gas cap might result in a P0442 code, (Small leak detected), and a missing cap could return a P0455 (Large leak detected).
Loose and missing gas caps are not the only cause of EVAP system leaks, but they are the number one suspect.
The information presented below is an example of diagnostic strategies that a technician might employ while diagnosing your vehicle’s EVAP system. It is not intended to be exhaustive, complete, or even applicable to all situations. Always follow a vehicle manufacturer’s procedures when performing tests or repairs of any kind.
EVAP related diagnostic trouble codes that turn on your check engine light can be set for a variety of reasons. Some faults are caused by leaks while others can result from blocked lines, faulty sensors, or malfunctioning solenoids.
Some vehicles have had issues with spiders laying eggs in EVAP vent lines while others have problems as simple as corrosion preventing a good seal between the fuel cap and fuel filler neck. There’s more to look out for than bad gas caps.
That’s why its important for you to have your vehicle diagnosed at a shop that employs technicians with the skills, training, and equipment necessary to correctly diagnose and repair your vehicle without wasting your time and money on unnecessary repairs and hopeful guesses.
Before reaching for high tech solutions, a technician should review the basics.
You should be asked questions about your vehicle.
For example:
“Have you had any work done on the car?”.
To which you might reply:
“Oh yeah, me and my brother had to drop the gas tank and replace the fuel pump. We had a lot of trouble with one of the seals. It got a little chewed up, but my brother said it would be fine”.
A little information goes a long way towards finding the solution to a problem.
The technician diagnosing your vehicle should also look for EVAP related Technical Service Bull
etins (TSBs). Are there any known issues with the vehicle that could explain the presence of the diagnostic trouble code.
There was an issue with my wife’s 2005 Toyota Corolla that caused several false EVAP diagnostic codes to set.
Before doing anything else, I checked for recalls and technical service bulletins. It didn’t take me long to find out that Toyota had issued a recall, and her Corolla was one of the affected vehicles.
An ECM manufacturing flaw was causing false EVAP codes to set. A few minutes of research saved me from a few weeks of pulling my hair out trying to find the problem.
When I asked my wife, she said that she received the recall letter, but didn’t think that it was important because the “car drove fine”.
EVAP control strategies vary from manufacturer, model, and model year. Understanding a system and how it works is the essential first step towards identifying a problem with a system when it doesn’t work according to design.
A technician will look for loose, missing, or damaged components.
We will often wiggle wires and hoses while looking, listening, and even sniffing for changes.
We’ll remove the gas cap and look for damage to the gas cap, o-ring, and filler neck. While reinstalling the gas cap we’ll pay close attention to how it fits. Sometimes an incorrect gas cap will look right, but it will not fit right. We’ll listen for clicks. Does it sound like the cap “locked”?
We’ll use our sense of smell. The presence of a strong fuel odor, especially during low pressure fuel EVAP testing, is often the first indication that the EVAP system has been compromised
We’ll look again. Is there a puddle of gasoline under the vehicle? Clearly the EVAP system will not seal if there is a large hole in the gas tank.
Smoke TestingSmoke testing is a common and effective way to pinpoint the location of leaks in a vehicle’s evaporative emissions control system.
While smoke testing for leaks, the EVAP system should be sealed. The purge valve is normally closed, but a technician will usually need to command the EVAP system’s vent valve closed using a scan tool.
I like to start by test the EVAP system with all components in place. If possible, I’ll introduce smoke through the EVAP system’s test port. The EVAP test port is schrader valve often located in the engine compartment of a vehicle and easily recognized by a green cap.
I’ll then look for smoke leaking from valves, EVAP lines, around the fuel cap, the fuel filler neck, and around the gas tank.
If I see smoke I’ve found a leak (Not necessarily all leaks). Once the leak has been repaired, I’ll repeat the test and ensure that there are no other leaks.
If no smoke is seen on the initial test, I’ll introduce smoke from the fuel filler neck. I’ll then look leaks at, or near, the fuel the test port that may have missed when with the smoke tester was attached.
If I still do not see smoke, I’ll reconnect the smoke machine to the EVAP test port and start testing the valves themselves for leaks. For example, I might disconnect the hose on the canister side of the purge valve. Since the purge valve is normally closed, any smoke exiting the purge valve at this stage would be a pretty good indication of a leak.
The same is true for smoke exiting a vent valve that has been commanded closed. The valve might be leaking, or there could be a problem on the command side of the circuit (Perhaps a bad ground is preventing activation of the valve), or the valve may have failed electrically. By testing the circuit and the component I can quickly identify the point of failure.
I’ll also disconnect electrical connectors while smoking the system. We recently had a Dodge Caravan in the shop that showed no sign of a leak until we disconnected the electrical connector at the leak detection pump (Kind of ironic isn’t it), suddenly smoke started pouring out of the connector. With the harness in place there was no sign of a leak.
We often remind our customers that diagnostic trouble codes are only a starting point, not the final diagnosis. Sometimes we have to be reminded of that fact ourselves.
A diagnostic trouble code indicating an EVAP leak is only as reliable as the system that triggered it.
For example: A faulty fuel tank pressure sensor might cause the on-board diagnostic system to falsely indicate a leak.
It’s possible to test the fuel tank pressure sensor without removing parts.
Any shop performing EVAP diagnostics and repairs should have a scan tool (Preferably bi-directional), and at least one of the following:
A Smoke Machine
A Low Pressure Fuel Evap Tester (LPFET)
First, I’ll connect the scan tool to the vehicle’s diagnostic link connector (DLC) and observe the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor parameter.
The next step is to safely change the pressure in the fuel tank. After noting the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor value, I connect my smoke machine, or my LPFET, to the fuel filler neck. make sure you have a good seal. (Again, be sure to observe all manufacturer warnings and procedures. Refer to your equipment manufacturer’s documentation to determine the amount of pressure your tool will add to the tank.)
Again, I’ll observe the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor value on my scan tool. I should observe an increase in pressure as compared to the original reading. If the value does not change, or does not increase according to the amount of pressure applied by my equipment, and I have verified that the EVAP system is sealed, I’ll suspect a faulty Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor.
This is just one example how direct observation and an understanding of how a vehicle’s EVAP system works can help diagnose a sensor problem after an EVAP system leak has been ruled out.
SummaryAs OBD II diagnostics and EVAP emissions control strategies become more complex and sophisticated, EVAP diagnostics and repairs are a frequent challenge faced by technicians in the field.
When diagnosing EVAP system related diagnostic trouble codes, as with most codes, its important to remember that diagnostic trouble codes are merely a starting point for diagnosis, and not the solution.
A technician should observe the basics, do his homework, and understand how to use the tools at his disposal.
If you’re in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Long Beach, or the surrounding areas and your vehicle has failed a smog inspection because of an EVAP related problem, you can roll the dice with one of those other guys and hope they know the difference between P0442 and a P0443, or you could call the ASE certified professionals at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach and have your car diagnosed by a team that has the knowledge, training, and skill to do more than just throw parts at a problem.
Call Just Smogs today at (714) 596-1019, or you could try going at it yourself, but who wants to deal with spiders in the vent line?
Our customer’s 1999 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L failed the biennial smog check inspection (category: OBD System Checks for being “Not Ready“). In most situations driving the vehicle for a week or two (streets & highway) will allow the vehicle to complete it’s self tests (readiness monitors) and become “Ready” so that it will pass the emission inspection.
Unfortunately, our customer drove almost 500 miles and still his Toyota was Not Ready for the following three monitors: Catalyst, Oxygen Sensor & Oxygen Sensor Heater.
He asked us to diagnose the problem. Although there was no check engine light illuminated, there as a pending diagnostic trouble code (DTC) stored in the vehicles computer: DTC P1155. P1155 is a manufacturer specific code relating to the Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor Heater Circuit.
Our technician diagnosed the air/fuel sensor and confirmed an open heater circuit. We replaced the a new Denso air/fuel sensor, cleared the fault code, and drove the vehicle.
In less than 20 miles of our drive cycle all three incomplete monitors (Catalyst, Oxygen Sensor & Oxygen Sensor Heater) became “Ready”. We re-tested the Camry and it passed.
Although in most “Not Ready” failed smog check situations, a vehicle can be driven to become “Ready” and pass a California smog inspection, repairs are sometimes necessary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqobRosEZf4
For more information about he Bureau of Automotive Repair Repair Assistance Program, visit the Consumer Assistance Program website, or call Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach at (714) 596-1019 for all your smog check needs. You can also make an appointment for your next smog check by clicking on the above link.
CALIFORNIA’S SMOG CHECK PROGRAMMost California vehicles (1976 and newer) must pass a Smog Check inspection every other year in order to renew registration in the state. The Smog Check inspection includes: a visual inspection to verify that all required emission systems are present; a functional inspection to verify that specific emission control systems are functioning. In addition to the visual and functional inspection, model years 1976-1999 require a tailpipe inspection to verify that the vehicle’s exhaust emissions are within established standards.
As part of the Smog Check Program, all vehicles with missing, modified, or defective emission control systems must be repaired. In some cases, the required part(s) can be difficult to find. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) suggests that motorists first check with their new car dealer, local auto parts stores, and automotive recyclers to find the needed parts. However, if the parts are not available locally, BAR offers a special service to help motorists find them.
BAR contracts with the Foundation For California Community Colleges to provide a toll-free, statewide telephone Emission Parts Locator Service. The program’s employees help motorists locate those hard-to-find emission control parts they need to bring their vehicles into compliance.
However, if part(s) are not available, the Parts Locator issues a “Limited Parts Exemption” which is mailed to the motorist. The motorist must then make an appointment at one of BAR’s 36 Consumer Assistance and Referee Centers, where the vehicle will undergo a Smog Check inspection. The vehicle must pass all other aspects the inspection before the Referee can issue a Smog Check certificate.
The Emission Parts Locator Service also provides general information about Smog Check and related programs, aftermarket parts that have been approved by the California Air Resources Board, and refers motorists to other agencies for help when appropriate.
Call the Emission Parts Locator Service toll-free at (800) 622-7733.
Just Smogs Star Certified Test and Repair
For over fifteen years Just Smogs® has set the standard for fast, clean, and friendly smog inspections in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and beyond. At Just Smogs® we take pride in providing five star service for all your smog check needs.
But what happens if your car fails?
Just Smogs® has always employed ASE certified technicians that are licensed by the State of California Bureau of automotive repairs to perform inspections and repairs; however until now, Just Smogs® has operated as a Test Only station. That meant that no repairs could be performed on the premises, only inspections… Until now.
Just Smogs® can now both inspect, certify, and properly diagnose and repair most vehicles, including those that require “Star” certification, and vehicles that qualify for repair assistance under the Bureau of Automotive Repair Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).
We offer competitive labor rates, fair parts pricing, and the Just Smogs® guarantee of clean, friendly, and reliable service.