Category: Vehicles smog certified by Just Smogs

January 2017 California Smog Check FAQ

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Smog Check Frequently Asked Questions for January 2017

How many readiness monitors have to be complete to pass smog?

What if I cannot get my smog test in California before it is due?

Can I go to another smog check station after failing?

The shop that failed my car also does repairs, can I go someplace else for repairs?

A relative gave me a car, do I need a smog inspection?

If my check engine light doesn’t turn on at all will I pass smog?

If you fail OBD II on a smog check, should your overall smog fail?

Where can I get a STAR Smog Inspection in Huntington Beach?

How many readiness monitors have to be complete to pass smog?

check engine lightThis continues to be number one on the hit parade.  Nobody wants to hear the dreaded words, OBD II not ready.

1996 to 1999 Gasoline powered vehicles: Any one monitor can be incomplete.

2000 and newer Gasoline powered vehicles: All monitors, with the exception of the EVAP monitor must be complete.

1998 to 2006 OBD II certified diesel powered vehicles: All monitors must be complete.

2007 and newer OBD II certified diesel powered vehicles: Any two monitors can be incomplete.

For more information about OBD II Monitors:

OBD II, “CHECK-ENGINE” LIGHTS, and READINESS MONITORS..WHAT ARE THEY?

OBD Monitors and Testability Issues

What if I cannot get my smog test in California before it is due?

 

Pay your fees!

Even if you do not pass smog, you can avoid paying late fees by paying all registration fees on time.  While the DMV will not issue a registration renewal until all requirements, including the smog certification, are complete, the DMV will stop assessing further late fees upon receipt of your payment.

You may also be eligible for a temporary moving permit.  Contact the California DMV for more information.

Can I go to another smog station after failing?


Absolutely! Many people are under the mistaken impression that they have to return to the original smog shop to finish the smog inspection after failing. Not true.  Pass or fail, that smog inspection ended when you received the results. It’s done. You are free to have the vehicle inspected at any shop.

Of course, if the vehicle requires an inspection at a STAR certified shop, you must take it to a STAR station.

Also, it important to note that if the shop that inspected your vehicle promised you a free retest, or any other discounts, those promises only apply at the shop that made the offer. 

The shop that failed my car also does repairs, can I go someplace else for repairs?

Again, absolutely.  Shops performing emissions repairs in the State of California are required to be licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs; however, you are not obligated to have your vehicle repaired by the shop that performed the smog inspection.

A relative gave me a car, do I need a smog inspection?

 

If you acquire a vehicle that is currently registered in California from a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild, you are entitled to an exemption from the smog inspection. Other family members or relations are not exempt and are required to obtain a smog inspection certification.

For more information read “Transfer a Vehicle Between Family Members.”

www.dmv.ca.gov

If my car check engine light doesn’t turn on at all will I pass smog?

No, if the check engine light (Service Engine Soon, MIL, etc), is burned out, missing, disconnected, or not functioning normally for any reason, the vehicle will not pass the California smog inspection.

If you fail OBD II on a smog check, should your overall smog fail?

If a vehicle fails any part of a smog inspection the state’s software will not certify the vehicle. In other words, the vehicle will fail.

As a matter of fact, if the check engine light isn’t on, the technician inspecting your car won’t know your car failed until the test is over.

Where can I get a STAR smog inspection in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, and beyond, the choice is simple!  For any and all smog inspections, booking an appointment at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach will be the best smog inspection decision you’ll ever make.

Click here, or call (714) 596-1019 to make an appointment.

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

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Some 2003 Chrysler PT Cruisers (2.4 liter DOHC 16v turbocharged, sales code EDV, with 5- spd manual G288 trans, sales code DDD) are unable to complete the OBD II Catalyst monitor because of a firmware error.

Chrysler is aware of the problem, and a firmware update is required to correct the problem.

If you own an affected vehicle, please contact your Chrysler dealer for more information.  Reference technical service bulletin number 18-112-16.  Repair reimbursement may also be available.  Per waranty D-16-26, the warranty for reprogramming the PCM on affected vehicle has been extended to a lifetime warranty.

BMW 328d Engine

Diesel Smog Check in Huntington Beach (STAR Certified)

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Give me forty acres and I’ll turn this rig around

Smoking ExhaustThere was a time when driving a diesel powered vehicle in the United States meant air horns, CB radios, and trucker songs.

The few diesel powered passenger vehicles made an awful racket and belched smoke.  Even luxury diesels may as well have come from the factory equipped with ear protection and a soot blackened rear bumper.

Much has changed

BMW 328d EngineToday’s diesel powered vehicles run so smooth that in many cases they make far less noise than their direct injected gasoline powered counterparts.

Thanks to low sulfur clean burning fuel and advanced emissions control systems that include urea injections designed to purify the exhaust stream, today’s diesels have little in common with yesterday’s rolling smog machines.

Diesel powered vehicles are no longer just for hauling boats, trailers and farm equipment.

Whether you’re looking for something sporty, luxurious, a sports utility vehicle or a blend of all of the above, manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, VW, and Land Rover are sure to have what you’re looking for.

Diesel Smog Inspections

Red Mercedes GLESince 2010, diesel powered vehicles have been required to undergo smog inspections in the State of California.

Although there is no tailpipe component to the diesel smog inspection (In other words, we don’t measure exhaust gasses coming out of the tailpipe), diesel vehicles are required to pass a comprehensive visual and functional inspection.

During the visual smog inspection an inspector will ensure that all diesel engine emissions related components are properly installed and in good repair. In addition, an inspector will ensure that aftermarket parts have are approved for sale and use in by the California Air Resource Board.

The vehicle’s On Board Diagnostic System (OBDII) will be checked for active diagnostic trouble codes (That would command the “check engine/service engine” light on, and will also be checked to ensure that on board diagnostic tests have been run to completion.

Where can I get a smog inspection for my diesel?

It doesn’t matter if you need a smog inspection for your Ram 3500, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen TDI, or BMW 325d, the professionals at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach guarantee fast friendly service.  Click here to make an appointment, or call us at (714) 596-1019.

 

 

 

 

Toyota Camry Failed Smog : Not Ready : No Check Engine Light

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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.

 

Shop Small Saturday – November 26

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Launchesmog-huntington-beach-small-business-saturdayd by American Express, the first-ever Small Business Saturday took place on Nov 27, 2010. The promotion encouraged holiday shoppers to support small, local businesses. The event grew as local mayors, governors, the U.S. Senate and President Obama voiced their support of Small Business Saturday. By 2015, 95 million shoppers generated an estimated $16 billion in sales on the day nationwide. – Forbes

Happy Thanksgiving from the Just Smogs® family to yours

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We’ll be closed on thanksgiving so that we can celebrate with our families at home, but we’ll return to our normal schedule on Friday (8:00 to 5:30) and Saturday (8:00 to 3:00).  As always we’ll be closed Sunday when we’ll be spending more time with our families and leftovers.

Today we had a little Just Smogs® pre-celebration with a deep fried turkey.

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We really are a family here and that includes you, our loyal customers.  So, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  We’ll see you Friday.

Engine Mounts

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Engine mounts (Also known as motor mounts) are designed to isolate engine vibration from the rest of the car. Most engine mounts are solid rubber blocks; however, the engine mounts in some cars are hydraulic (liquid filled).

When to replace engine mounts

img_0763Several years ago, prior to inspecting a longtime customer’s car, I noticed that a hose at the top of the car’s engine was disconnected. Since I hadn’t started the smog inspection, I did the customer a favor and reconnected the hose.

I closed the hood and performed the dynamometer (dyno) portion of the smog inspection. At the conclusion of the dyno test, I got out, opened the hood, and saw that the same hose was once again disconnected.

The vehicle had broken engine mounts that allowed enough movement that the hose going to the EVAP canister was disconnected every time the engine moved!

Most manufacturers do not publish suggested replacement intervals, engine mounts should be inspected regularly.  Under harsh driving conditions they can fail in as little as a year, but most often begin showing signs of wear that include cracking and dry rot after five years.

How can I tell if my engine mounts are bad?
Damaged Engine Mount

Damaged Engine Mount

While a little bit of cracking is normal, stretched and broken engine mounts should be replaced as soon as possible. As your engine mounts begin to degenerate or stretch, you may notice excessive vibration especially while your vehicle is idling.

During certain driving conditions worn and damaged engine mounts will allow the engine to shift and move in the engine to such an extent that it can actually “bang” against body components such as the hood or firewall and in extreme cases the engine can actually shift out of position or even drop. You may even notice that some of your hoses wont stay connected

 

 

Smog Check OBD Reference Update

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The Bureau of Automotive Repair has issued an update to the Smog Check OBD Reference Guide.  The update check engine lightincludes new service bulletins, emissions recalls and information on the following vehicles:

  1. BMW 323i: ECM reflash recall is needed to set oxygen sensor monitor.
  2. 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima and Infinity I30:  New catalyst may be needed to run catalyst monitor.
  3. 2001 Chevrolet Silverado and Tahoe C/K 1500: Send to BAR Referee only if secondary air monitor is not running.
  4. 2002 Chevrolet Silverado C/K 2500 HD Diesel: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
  5. 2009 Kia Borrego LX/EX: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
  6. 1999-2006 Nissan UD1200 Box Truck (10-14K GVWR, Federal Diesel): Not equipped with OBD, BAR-OIS skips OBD test.
  7. 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4 liter turbo: Catalyst monitor not running.  BAR-OIS allows any one monitor.
  8. 2001-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier CNG: Catalyst monitor not running.  BAR-OIS allows any one monitor to be incomplete.

Click here to view the complete Smog Check OBD Reference Guide.