the issue with smog

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  • Boomerang
    Banned
    • Feb 2007
    • 224

    #1

    the issue with smog

    When our cars dont check out, there isnt much you can replace, catalyst, oxygen sensor, plugs and wires, dist cap and rotor, etc... im pretty sure my 400,000 mile + engine will fail, will the DMV really give you money for repairs based on your income? right now im unemployed. two years ago it hardly passed, and i have to drive the car hard to get it nice and hot, and run into the problem where the technician wont wait 5 minutes for me to come back once its hot. a new cat is too expensive, being hundreds of dollars, fabrication isnt a problem, i cant weld. what are my options if i fail?
  • george graves
    I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
    • Oct 2003
    • 19986

    #2
    Originally posted by Boomerang
    When our cars dont check out, there isnt much you can replace, catalyst, oxygen sensor, plugs and wires, dist cap and rotor, etc... im pretty sure my 400,000 mile + engine will fail, will the DMV really give you money for repairs based on your income? right now im unemployed. two years ago it hardly passed, and i have to drive the car hard to get it nice and hot, and run into the problem where the technician wont wait 5 minutes for me to come back once its hot. a new cat is too expensive, being hundreds of dollars, fabrication isnt a problem, i cant weld. what are my options if i fail?
    Two cans of seafoam will help a lot, fresh oil and a full tank of quality gas(I put in 91). Clean your plugs, cap and rotor.
    Originally posted by Matt-B
    hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

    Comment

    • TwoJ's
      R3V Elite
      • Oct 2005
      • 4908

      #3
      holy shit, yo've got 400k on an ix? stock drivetrain?

      Anyways, isn't there a law that says they can't require you to pay more than a certain amount of money towards the problem? In other words, I think that if you fail, and get some amount of work done ($100?) then you will be given a pass until the next test comes around.

      This could just be me making things up in my head though.

      Comment

      • Tangent
        E30 Addict
        • Mar 2004
        • 476

        #4
        If you fail a test at a "test only" center you qualify for assistance in making repairs: http://www.smogtips.com/test_only_eligible.cfm

        Comment

        • dark89e30
          Wrencher
          • Jul 2007
          • 263

          #5
          They won't start paying for repairs until $400, but it might be $440. But then again, you can usually find a "magic smog" for $200 or less... BTW, a new cat will make you pass pretty much every time.

          Comment

          • Boomerang
            Banned
            • Feb 2007
            • 224

            #6
            [quote=TwoJ's;805034]holy shit, yo've got 400k on an ix? stock drivetrain?

            Yes sir! doesnt clunk, rattle, or grind anything, previous owner treated this thing religiously. With the seafoam, do you put it in the tank to clean and go about your business, or do you put it in when its smog time? thanks for your help guys!

            Comment

            • taylor89
              Noobie
              • May 2007
              • 35

              #7
              You could always put a decent amount of straight ethanol in your tank, and you'll be almost guaranteed to pass emissions. Be sure to drain the tank as soon as you get home, however.

              I don't know if I would do it on a 400k+ car though.

              And as for the seafoam, I would do at least a full tank (or two) of seafoam before testing. I don't think you want it in at the time of your test. I believe the system could detect the extra carbon buildup coming out, which wouldn't help you pass.

              Comment

              • DuMa
                E30 Enthusiast
                • Jul 2007
                • 1101

                #8
                'borrow' a cat from another e30 owner to pass the test

                Comment

                • mudflaps
                  Banned
                  • May 2006
                  • 808

                  #9
                  there is a vacuum line off of your intake mani, you can take a whole can of seafoam and let that line suck it up.

                  the car will billow smoke, sputter, and maybe die, but it cleans the shit out of the motor.

                  Comment

                  • kellie
                    Mod Crazy
                    • Nov 2006
                    • 702

                    #10
                    Yep, suck it in through a vacuum line.

                    Unless your engine burns large quantities of oil, misfires, and/or has fuel mixture issues, there is no reason it shouldn't pass. Seafoam it, give it a good tuneup, give it a bath (clean cars run better :) ) and try. You never know, you might pass.
                    sigpic

                    Comment

                    • DuMa
                      E30 Enthusiast
                      • Jul 2007
                      • 1101

                      #11
                      i just seafoamed my car. lots of white smoke but man does it run much better

                      at 266k btw

                      Comment

                      • Jscotty
                        Banned
                        • Jan 2007
                        • 2285

                        #12
                        While we are on the topic of seafoam, is it adviseable to suck in it through the vaccum line on ANY car? Secondly when we are talking about a can of the stuff, are we talking about the 8oz or 16 oz can?

                        Comment

                        • mudflaps
                          Banned
                          • May 2006
                          • 808

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Jscotty
                          While we are on the topic of seafoam, is it adviseable to suck in it through the vaccum line on ANY car? Secondly when we are talking about a can of the stuff, are we talking about the 8oz or 16 oz can?
                          55 gallon drum

                          Comment

                          • mudflaps
                            Banned
                            • May 2006
                            • 808

                            #14
                            jk, used the 8oz, but ive heard of people using 2 cans, either sucking both up, or putting one in the tank and sucking the other one up.

                            make sure your gas tank is close to empty when you do it, it will have higher concentration that way.

                            Comment

                            • AndrewBird
                              The Mad Scientist
                              • Oct 2003
                              • 11892

                              #15
                              Seafoam recommends sucking it through a vacuum line. Generally, you just suck it up until the engine dies from an overly rich mixture, then you let it sit a few minutes and then start it up. Repeat if necessary.

                              Seafoam also recommends putting 1/3 of a can in the gas, 1/3 in the oil/ and suck 1/3 into the intake.

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