Smog Blog - Current happenings at JUST SMOGS | JUST SMOGS® + Repair

OBD II Monitor Drive Cycle Service

Posted on December 13, 2016 by MasterTech

In recent years the California Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) have increasingly shifted the emphasis of the California emissions program to on-board diagnostic trouble codes & monitor readiness. This is especially true for 2000 and newer model year vehicles.

If you are having trouble completing OBD II readiness monitors on your 1996 or newer vehicle, the licensed professionals at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach can help.

OBD II Monitor Recap

What are OBD II readiness monitors?

The short answer is that OBD II readiness monitors are usually something that average motorists never have to worry about until they have a reason to worry.

OBD II readiness monitors are self tests run by a vehicle’s on board diagnostic system. OBD II monitors have two states: ‘ready’ and ‘not ready’. Some scanners and code readers may display ‘complete’ , ‘incomplete’ , comp, inc, etc. It all comes down to whether or not a test has been run to completion.

When one of these test fails, the check engine light is illuminated; otherwise, a driver normally has no indication that OBD II readiness monitors exist.

So what’s the problem?

It’s not uncommon for OBD II readiness monitors to be reset following repairs. This is especially true if the check engine light was on.

If a vehicle’s power train control module (PCM – ‘The Computer’) loses power due to a dead or depleted battery, or if diagnostic trouble codes are cleared using a scan tool, all readiness monitors are automatically set to incomplete/not ready.

Incomplete readiness monitors aren’t something that you have to worry about unless your vehicle is due for a smog inspection.

Readiness monitors are run in the background and by design do not affect driveability, safety, or fuel economy, but they are an important part of the California smog inspection program.

In order for a vehicle to pass a smog inspection in the state of California, most OBD 2 monitors must be run to completion. For example, in order for most 2000 and newer gasoline powered vehicles to pass the smog inspection all monitors with the exception of the evap monitor must be complete. If any monitor other than the evap monitor is incomplete the vehicle will fail the smog inspection.

If you’ve ever had an issue with OBD II readiness monitors, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Drive it fifty to one-hundred miles and you should be fine”.

I drove my car hundreds of miles, and it still isn’t ready!

Some cars are known to have issues that can make completing OBD II readiness monitors extremely difficult.

BAR maintains a list of such vehicles and possible solutions (The Smog Check OBD II Reference).

Very often the solution involves following a very specific drive pattern that some motorists find difficult to complete during their normal driving routine. That’s when Just Smogs® can help.

Just Smogs® OBD II Drive Cycle Service

If your vehicle is otherwise in good repair, and you are having difficulties completing the OBD II drive cycle, the professionals at Just Smogs® can complete the drive cycle on most vehicles that do not require further repair or diagnosis.

This service offering does not include any diagnostics or repairs that may be necessary to enable the OBD II drive cycle, nor does it include diagnostics or repairs that may become necessary should the drive cycle trigger a diagnostic trouble code or check engine light.

Of course in most cases you should be able to complete the drive cycle yourself with no more effort than a Sunday drive, but in case you can’t, the professionals at Just Smogs® are here to help.

For more information about Just Smogs® OBD II drive cycle service, call (714) 596-1019.

Just Smogs 2016 Holiday Hours

Posted on December 13, 2016 by MasterTech

This year our hours will be virtually unaffected by the holiday season, with the exception that we will be closed all day on Saturday, December 24, 2016.

Otherwise, Just Smogs is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 PM (With the exception of December 24, 2016).

All of us at Just Smogs® wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season.

O2 Sensor Monitor Not Ready 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Posted on December 5, 2016 by MasterTech

If your 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fails to pass the California emissions test because of an incomplete oxygen sensor (air/fuel) monitor, your Toyota Highlander Hybrid may be subject to a recall.

Affected vehicles will require a software update to correct an issue that prevents the vehicle’s on board diagnostic computer from running the O2 sensor monitor to completion. Per Toyota Special Service Campaign FOP and TSB #0042-15, this service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the consumer.

Your Toyota dealer will identify affected vehicles based on manufacture date, software calibration, etc. When contacting your Toyota dealer, please reference TSB #0042-15.

BMW OBD II Communication and Monitor Issues

Posted on November 26, 2016 by MasterTech

As touched upon in a previous post (Smog Check OBD Reference Update) certain 1999 and 2000 model year BMW vehicles with 2.5 liter and 2.8 liter displacement engines that are having trouble passing the smog inspection due to incomplete monitors may be subject to a voluntary emissions recall (00E-A01: Fault Access/O2 Readiness Codes).

Model		Manufactured
E39	528i, 528iA, 528iT, 528iAT	2/99-7/99
E46	328i, 328iA, 323i, 323iA	3/98-7/99
E46	328iC, 328iCA, 323iC, 323iCA	2/99-7/99
E36/7	Z3 coupe 2.8	4/99-7/99
E36/7	Z3 roadster 2.8	4/99-7/99
E36/7	Z3 roadster 2.3	9/98-7/99

BMW has determined that certain 1999 & 2000 model year BMW automobiles with 2.5 liter and 2.8 liter displacement engines may not fully meet Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board on-board diagnostic requirements.

There are two issues:

Due to an engine control module software error, a communication conflict exists between the engine control module (“The Computer”) and the transmission control module (“The other Computer”). This may lead to difficulties or prevent communication and data transmission between the engine control module and and diagnostic equipment (Including the “Smog Machine”).
The oxygen sensor readiness monitor may not run to completion on affected E36/7, E46 and E39 vehicles.

Owners of affected vehicles should have received a letter from BMW as early as November 2000; however if you own one of these affected vehicles and are having trouble receiving California smog certification due to incomplete monitors or communications issues (Or are due for a smog inspection) and have not completed the recall, you should contact your BMW dealer. It may help to refer to Emissions Recall 00E-A01 and BMW Bulletin SI B 12 15 99.

Shop Small Saturday – November 26

Posted on November 25, 2016 by dewok

Launched 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

Posted on November 23, 2016 by MasterTech

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.

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

Posted on November 19, 2016 by MasterTech

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

Several 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

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

Buybacks range in value from $12,475 to $44,176, including restitution payments. People who opt for a fix approved by the Environmental Protection Agency will receive payouts ranging from $5,100 to $9,852, depending on the book value of their car.

usatoday.com

Engine Change Guidelines

Posted on October 17, 2016 by MasterTech

According to the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), “Engine changes continue to present problems and challenges to car owners and technicians“.

Instead of an engine change (a.k.a swap), BAR recommends rebuilding and reinstalling the original engine, transmission, and emissions configuration. However, if that is not possible, the following is a list of things to keep in mind.

Remember, these are guidelines for performing engine changes – not certification procedures. All exhaust emission controlled vehicles with engine changes must be inspected by an official Referee station and must have a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee label affixed to the doorpost.

Certification Standards

California Certification

A federal (49 state) engine cannot be used in a California certified vehicle.

You can determine if your vehicle is a California certified vehicle by checking the vehicle’s under-hood emissions label.

Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Engines

While especially popular with Honda enthusiasts JDM engines are not a legal option. JDM engines are easily identified and will not be certified by the BAR Referee.

Certification Standards

Make sure the engine and emission control configuration is certified to the year of the vehicle or newer, and to the same or a more stringent new vehicle certification standard. The rule of thumb is that you can move forward but you can’t go backwards.

Engine Classification

You can’t put this in Lamborghini engine in your pickup truck unless you’re hauling it in the back.

Don’t mix engine and vehicle classifications which will degrade the emissions certification standards.

A heavy-duty engine cannot be installed in a light-duty exhaust-controlled chassis even if they have the same displacement.
A Pickup truck engine cannot be installed in a passenger car.
Non-emissions controlled engines such as industrial or off-road-use-only engines may not be placed in any exhaust emissions controlled vehicle.

Computer Controls

If a computer controlled engine is installed in a non-computer controlled vehicle, the “Check Engine Light” (Service Engine Soon, MIL, etc), diagnostic link connector (DLC), wiring harness, and all sensor and switches necessary to make the system fully operational must also be installed.

Also, the same rule would apply if you are installing an On Board Diagnostic II engine in a vehicle previously certified to earlier standards (OBD I etc). Remember, you can add, but you can’t subtract.

Emissions Control Configuration

Mixing and matching emission control system components could cause problems and is generally not allowed. Engine and emission control systems must be in an engine-chassis configuration certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The engine must meet or exceed the requirements for the year and class of vehicle in which it is installed.

California Bureau of Automotive Repair

Vehicles introduced for sale in California and elsewhere in the United States are subject to strict testing and emissions certification standards. Even a minor change can result in the increased harmful gas emissions, and violate state and federal law.

The installed engine and host chassis must retain all original emission control equipment. Diesel-to-gasoline conversions must have all gasoline engine and chassis emission control systems installed (Fill-pipe restrictor, EVAP system, etc).

Engine Modification and After-Market Parts

No internal or external engine modifications (cams, pistons, intakes, etc.) may be performed unless the parts are ARB-exempted or EPA-certified for use in the installed engine. Refer to ARB’s Aftermarket Parts Database of Executive Orders to search for exempted aftermarket parts.