How many Ferrari Testarossa's do think a smog tech sees a year? Would be more familiar with the components on a DD.
by disconnected, the post was interpreted as ‘the belt was removed’. An inspection should catch those things. Missing pre-cats are also routinely overlooked - but if the tech was knowledgeable and thorough, these things would be caught. He should know that many if not most cars of this era have an air pump. His job includes a visual inspection. Clueless and or lazy. Snort the gas and call it good.
I didn't realize until recently my smog pump has been "beltless" the whole time I've had it, and it passes CA smog every 2 years. The tech I go to does a very thorough job inspecting for installed components (or risk losing license) but the smog pump belt is near impossible to see.
There is little information provided to the smog test shops for any out of the ordinary vehicle. For years I told them our LM002 was full time FWD so they wouldn't dyno test it. There was nothing to refute it so they took my word. No smog inspection includes putting a car on the hoist to see the air pump. Few smog shops even have a hoist. The California law is terribly outdated and the state knows it. Many Mercedes Benz models require removal of the fuel tank to determine if it still has an evap system and that is never done either. With all the Benz's in the state do you really believe no one knows that? Lots of main stream cars have hidden components to the system and are never inspected and everyone knows that too. Clueless/lazy? Try and have some knowledge of the situation next time. The rules were written to satisfy Federal requirements so they can continue to get an uninterrupted flow of highway funds and that is all there really is to it. They have slowly switched over to just plugging into the OBD2 cars and calling it good. Should have been doing that from the start of OBD2 because that is why it was implemented. But for pre OBD2 cars the dumb asses dont want to just let them go so tail pipe sniffing and manual inspections are still here. With Californias insistence on checking every vehicle 75 and newer it will be a part of Californians lives until they just ban those cars from the roads. Its the politicians you guys are electing and they are why I left.
I whole heartedly agree... Ca politicians have destroyed the state - less freedom, more regulations and free money for leaches.... er, I mean... “voters”. Wealth redistribution in exchange for votes. Socialism, then communism, then death - historical fact. They are broke and will tear down the country when they go to the feds for a bailout. PG&E bankruptcy and corrupt politicians.... Disgusting, dirty slimeballs. (Yes - you Jerry). Paridise burns. Still though - ca law requires a visual inspection. If they are not doing it - there is a problem. If it is not worth enforcing CHANGE THE LAW.
Then place the blame where it belongs and quit throwing the guys who are trying to implement it under the bus.
Quietly accepting the ‘problem’ IS the problem. Those guys under the bus voted in all the insanity. They are on the front lines of this issue... how many ever lodged complaints with CARB or BAR or their State Senator? Nary a word - just take the money. The California mantra.
Leaving is not a solution. ‘Just take the money’ is not a solution. Complaining is not a solution. ‘Its too difficult to get on my knees with a mirror’ is not a solution. Awareness is not a solution. Lying to techs is not a solution. Throwing out insults is not a solution. It is the problem. Sound familiar? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I never used the word “stupid”, nor did I broad brush the industry. Review post 35 My word was “clueless”.... or, as you more eloquently put it:
How do you propose these lazy clueless people know what to look for? The federally mandated label put on the car by Ferrari doesn't list many of the components on the car including the precats. The state documents have no better information. You are blaming honest hard working people for trying to make sense of a system the state changes far more often than they try and fix it. Their industry association has tried very hard to fix it but Sacramento can't be bothered.
As I previously stated in post #27: These guys do this for a living. Day-in and day-out. They are ‘professonal’. Do you accept this sort of nonsense from the guys in your shop to which you pay your hard earned dollars? It is only a most basic bit of knowledge - air pumps are on many if not most cars of this era. (Clueless) Don’t see a pump from the top - bend down with a mirror. (Lazy) JUST IN CASE the tech has a moderate level of knowledge, he can read the sticker, which says; EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM: MPI - Multi Port Injection HO2S - Heated O2 Sensors TWC - Three Way Catalytic AIR - AIR injection pump It is not too much to ask of a professional. Image Unavailable, Please Login
No mention of precats, PCV, or ignition timing. I guess a guy who sees one every couple of years is supposed to know that. Besides, he is required to go by the label and not what you think he should be able to guess.
Yes - we finally agree. Go by the label - as shown. Confirm that the label listed AIR pump is there and that it visually appears to be functional rather than disconnected. It is their job.... defined by law. No excuses.
Here it is summarized from Nevada law. No doubt ca law is at least as stringent. The tech is REQUIRED to inspect. The Ferrari engine compartment sticker shown above, spoon feeds the tech all he needs to know. Image Unavailable, Please Login
This whole pollution check thing is a money grab by the states! The newer cars have drastically reduced emissions compared to older cars. Older cars are not the problem because of fewer on the road!
Doubtful. 2nd hand info says you will pass a sniffer without pre-cats. Get it good and hot before your test. No 1st hand info. Depends on your inspector.... if he knows you had OEM pre-cats, he’ll fail you on the visual.
I assumed he was thinking of new replacement pipes rather than gutting. I think gutting would go undetected (?)
I have replacement pipes for the pre-cats, hassle to switch them back for test. Maybe I'll just take a chance and just put the main cats back on. Damn CA smog crap.
Main cats do a good job cleaning up emissions with very little if any performance loss. Consider leaving the main cats on and just deleting the pre-cats.