Moving from NJ to CA! (LA/Burbank)

[Derry Murbles]

Interesting. After 30 years of driving, registering, and smogging cars in California, I have not once even been to a smog shop that has a dynamometer.

Gaaaahhhhhhhhhhh thank you for pointing this out. My brain must have shorted while going back and forth typing and rearranging the post for clarity (did it right after a particularly taxing day at work), and I crossed the idea of a shop doing the drive cycle on a dyno instead of having to go do it on public roads, with the idea of using the dyno for the smog test itself. Original post corrected.

Unless I totally manufactured this in my head, I believe the shop I went to has a dyno since they claimed they didn't do the drive cycle on public roads. I believe they even went so far as to say it took about 40 minutes to an hour to run the drive cycle in the shop. Does that jive with at all with reality in your experience? Or perhaps they have another business that they work with who does the drive cycles on a dyno? Now I'm curious.

So just to educate myself, is the procedure to just let it idle while the car is plugged into the computer and it reads the sensors then? Or is there any actual "in gear" driving required?

 

[SLO Surfer]

So just to educate myself, is the procedure to just let it idle while the car is plugged into the computer and it reads the sensors then? Or is there any actual "in gear" driving required?

Every smog test I've done takes 10 minutes once they get it in the garage and start working on it. No actual "in gear" driving ever required that I've experience or heard of. They visually inspect everything first, make sure all the correct emissions parts are there and hooked up correctly. Then they let it run until it's at normal operating temperature, put the scope in the tailpipe and run it at idle for a few minutes while the scope reads it, then a few minutes reading the scope at a higher RPM (3,000?). I don't think they actually hook a computer/sensor reader up at all during smog tests, unless things have changed. (I could be wrong, but am fairly certain I'm not) I used to be a mechanic for a couple years in the 90's where we ran smog tests, though I was never Smog-certified so I didn't do them myself. I think the only two things they hook up are the tailpipe scope that reads the exhaust fumes, and a clip over a spark plug or coil wire or something that lest the smog test machine read the engine's RPM. I've never had a smog test "read the sensors." It reads RPM and exhaust. It's been so long since I've been in the game, so things could have changed, but when I get my car done it still seems to be the same deal.

By the way, I just got my car smogged two weeks ago! I haven't had a car fail since I was driving my '77 Camaro with jerry-rigged everything under the hood.

Honestly, it seems like this shop is pulling your chain a bit, but cars can be funny so maybe not. Since I was in high school auto shop and through my several years working in a shop, it was always a running joke of "sounds like ya need a new catalytic converter there boss!" Most the time when you hear that, someone's trying to rip someone else off. Especially if they said, "if the new catalytic converter doesn't work we'll give it to you for free." That specifically makes me think they knew exactly what was going on the whole time. I would probably find another shop for future auto needs just for piece of mind. Second opinions are always a good idea as well when you're getting up there in cost of repairs.

Hey, look on the bright side; you got a legal California car and can do almost all your future DMV stuff without pants on from home (online) from now on. It's all downhill from here!

 

[somebrains]

Test only stations have rollers for your drive wheels bc they'll take your car up to whatever RPM pulls they need.
Sensor goes up your tail pipe, there's a visual inspection for emissions controls either CARB stickered mods or factory equipment. You can't drive around with an emissions collection rig, yet.

Test should take like 10mins or less, really not a big deal unless you installed a Chevy 468ci drag motor in a 2017 Camaro.

I have a Dinan modified ECU that turns off traction control and assumes a +98octane tune....and I always pass bc it's CARB legal.

Out of state car may require different baseline pulls. There are dudes who smog 87 Monte Carlos with LS motors and 6-speed transmissions, just have to get a smog judge to verify your work. That may take more time but it's not a big deal.

People will wash paperwork on salvage or flood/fire cars by registering them in Oregon, then return them as clean.

PS Did you discover Pricillas Coffee yet? Go early in the morning, I love watching girls from WB tv shows on their way to work.

 

[Derry Murbles]

Every smog test I've done takes 10 minutes once they get it in the garage and start working on it. No actual "in gear" driving ever required that I've experience or heard of. They visually inspect everything first, make sure all the correct emissions parts are there and hooked up correctly. Then they let it run until it's at normal operating temperature, put the scope in the tailpipe and run it at idle for a few minutes while the scope reads it, then a few minutes reading the scope at a higher RPM (3,000?). I don't think they actually hook a computer/sensor reader up at all during smog tests, unless things have changed. (I could be wrong, but am fairly certain I'm not) I used to be a mechanic for a couple years in the 90's where we ran smog tests, though I was never Smog-certified so I didn't do them myself. I think the only two things they hook up are the tailpipe scope that reads the exhaust fumes, and a clip over a spark plug or coil wire or something that lest the smog test machine read the engine's RPM. I've never had a smog test "read the sensors." It reads RPM and exhaust. It's been so long since I've been in the game, so things could have changed, but when I get my car done it still seems to be the same deal.

By the way, I just got my car smogged two weeks ago! I haven't had a car fail since I was driving my '77 Camaro with jerry-rigged everything under the hood.

Honestly, it seems like this shop is pulling your chain a bit, but cars can be funny so maybe not. Since I was in high school auto shop and through my several years working in a shop, it was always a running joke of "sounds like ya need a new catalytic converter there boss!" Most the time when you hear that, someone's trying to rip someone else off. Especially if they said, "if the new catalytic converter doesn't work we'll give it to you for free." That specifically makes me think they knew exactly what was going on the whole time. I would probably find another shop for future auto needs just for piece of mind. Second opinions are always a good idea as well when you're getting up there in cost of repairs.

Hey, look on the bright side; you got a legal California car and can do almost all your future DMV stuff without pants on from home (online) from now on. It's all downhill from here!

Test only stations have rollers for your drive wheels bc they'll take your car up to whatever RPM pulls they need.
Sensor goes up your tail pipe, there's a visual inspection for emissions controls either CARB stickered mods or factory equipment. You can't drive around with an emissions collection rig, yet.

Test should take like 10mins or less, really not a big deal unless you installed a Chevy 468ci drag motor in a 2017 Camaro.

I have a Dinan modified ECU that turns off traction control and assumes a +98octane tune....and I always pass bc it's CARB legal.

Out of state car may require different baseline pulls. There are dudes who smog 87 Monte Carlos with LS motors and 6-speed transmissions, just have to get a smog judge to verify your work. That may take more time but it's not a big deal.

People will wash paperwork on salvage or flood/fire cars by registering them in Oregon, then return them as clean.

PS Did you discover Pricillas Coffee yet? Go early in the morning, I love watching girls from WB tv shows on their way to work.

So, judging by the ire of many an automotive forum member I came across while researching my way through the whole smog experience, I don't even think they use "sniffers" in the tail pipe anymore, or at least they're not supposed to (Disclaimer- I could be 100% wrong). One of the reasons being that dishonest shops could (and did) just pop the probe into a car that was returning a passing result, read that passing car's emissions, and use those good numbers to pass a failing car.

Folks were lamenting this change in procedure since the newer (I don't know when it became "newer") test only looks at the emissions through the sensors. Anecdotally at least, people were enraged during the transition from "old way" to "new way" because their car may have been emitting acceptable levels of, erm... emissions at the tailpipe, but the readings at the sensors were what the test actually read. Sensor giving bad numbers but tailpipe reading well? Too bad, gotta replace a sensor, or a cat, or something else.

I've never been an automotive tech, much less a certified smog tech so I truly have no idea what goes on aside from what I've been told, and what I've read.

In any case, as you mentioned, my car passed and I'm good to go! Although I was a bit irritated when I saw my registration was only good for a year. I forgot that first time CA registrations were only good for a year, then your RENEWAL is two years. I'm not even sure I'll still have the Camry in a year since I need to look into getting a truck. If I'm to have any business driving on backcountry logging roads for my hiking/camping adventures, a Camry just won't cut it.

On Priscilla's Coffee, I have not yet discovered this place. I start work at 7:30 and rarely get up early enough to do anything besides wash up a bit and make some coffee at the apartment, but maybe I'll turn in early one night so I can go sit and experience the scenery!

 

[Derry Murbles]

Gitzo or Manfrotto, for anything good for reasonable money. I had the latter, still have two of the former, and I also have a couple of Ries tripods.

Thanks for the rec! I've read great things on all of those, although I've been out of the game for so long I really need to get working with one to find out what I like/don't like.

 

[Michedelic]

Thanks for the rec! I've read great things on all of those, although I've been out of the game for so long I really need to get working with one to find out what I like/don't like.

Check out Samy’s(that’s one ‘m’)Camera; they’re all over, but the closest to you would be in Pasadena, on E. Colorado, near Allen. Another one on Fairfax, close to the Farmer’s Market(on 3rd)south of Hollywood. Also put aside some time to visit Fry’s Electronics, it’s up on Hollywood Way before you get to the Burbank airport(exit left on W. Valhalla Dr. before you go under the Vanowen overhead). It’s the building with the flying saucer crashed into it. It’s tech heaven, like a wish dream Radio Shack store times 1000.

 

[elgecko]

So, judging by the ire of many an automotive forum member I came across while researching my way through the whole smog experience, I don't even think they use "sniffers" in the tail pipe anymore, or at least they're not supposed to (Disclaimer- I could be 100% wrong). One of the reasons being that dishonest shops could (and did) just pop the probe into a car that was returning a passing result, read that passing car's emissions, and use those good numbers to pass a failing car.

Folks were lamenting this change in procedure since the newer (I don't know when it became "newer") test only looks at the emissions through the sensors. Anecdotally at least, people were enraged during the transition from "old way" to "new way" because their car may have been emitting acceptable levels of, erm... emissions at the tailpipe, but the readings at the sensors were what the test actually read. Sensor giving bad numbers but tailpipe reading well? Too bad, gotta replace a sensor, or a cat, or something else.

I've never been an automotive tech, much less a certified smog tech so I truly have no idea what goes on aside from what I've been told, and what I've read.

In any case, as you mentioned, my car passed and I'm good to go! Although I was a bit irritated when I saw my registration was only good for a year. I forgot that first time CA registrations were only good for a year, then your RENEWAL is two years. I'm not even sure I'll still have the Camry in a year since I need to look into getting a truck. If I'm to have any business driving on backcountry logging roads for my hiking/camping adventures, a Camry just won't cut it.

On Priscilla's Coffee, I have not yet discovered this place. I start work at 7:30 and rarely get up early enough to do anything besides wash up a bit and make some coffee at the apartment, but maybe I'll turn in early one night so I can go sit and experience the scenery!

Toyota Tacoma...official truck of the California outdoorsman!

BTW, based solely on your username, you need to tag White Mountain, one of California's 14ers.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Derry Murbles]

Toyota Tacoma...official truck of the California outdoorsman!

That's actually my first choice to be honest. Were I in the position to buy new, I think these are particularly sharp, but I don't want a full sized pickup at this point... I don't trust myself with a vehicle of that size in a city:

A used Tacoma would be ideal, but they ain't cheap!

 

[SLO Surfer]

Although I was a bit irritated when I saw my registration was only good for a year.

You need to register your car, ie. RENEWAL, every year (can be paid and done online), and smog it every two years. Makes perfect sense, right?