NorCal smog shop recommendations?

[graphikg]

I have a car that I want to get smogged. It has barely failed twice, and I did the 02 sensor, and plugs and put the stock air filter in since then, so i think it will pass now. I want to pass LEGALLY, but I just want a tech that is cool about things and will help my car pass if it needs a little tinkering or something. Anyone know a place?

[hugh jass]

are you required to go to a test only station in davis?

[graphikg]

I need test only. But not needed to be in davis. I can get it anywhere as long as it is test only.

[hugh jass]

you might be sol. test only is state regulated and they are notoriously hard to get to play ball. you should probably just pick a shop and try your luck.

[graphikg]

There was a guy who gave me a connection to a shop in berkeley, but that was on the baye30 forums which are not working now.

[ethree]

I know a good one in san bruno, PM if you're interested.

[TwoJ's]

In WA if you fail an emissions test, and you take it to a shop and have a certain amount of work done to it that may help it pass (something like $150 or $200) then they will give you a free pass until the next time to take the test.

Is it not like this in Cali?

[Jon325i]

Graphikg-

I just went through this smog test headache on my '91 325i Monday morning. My car did quite well but I addressed several things before taking it in for the moment of truth. BTW, the only 'close call' result from the test was a really high hydrocarbon count during the 15mph portion of the test (2 points from the max allowed). I talked to a couple of people afterwards about this and they attributed it to the catalyst not being sufficiently warmed up (despite me driving the car for 20 minutes before arriving at the test facility). Anyway......back to what I did to prepare my car:

SeaFoam SeaFoam SeaFoam!!! Nearly four cans of the stuff (1 whole can in the gas tank, 1/2 can in the crankcase and 2 whole cans thru the intake). I also installed a new O2 sensor, swapped out ECUs so I now have a stock chip again, cleaned out my airfilter (K&N drop-in element in stock airbox), thoroughly checked all hose clamps and replaced one vacuum line, changed the oil and filter and re-installed my barely used aftermarket catalyst - been running a testpipe for quite some time :nice: I drove the car a lot for a couple of days after doing all this to burn off any residual SeaFoam from the intake inducement as well as empty the 'treated' tank and refilled it with Chevron 87 Octane before going in for the test.

I took my car to RPM smog in Sacramento. They are located at 6190 Freeport Blvd. which is right across the street from the entrance to Executive airport. You can reach them at 916.428.2884. They open their doors at 8am and close at 5pm Monday thru Saturday. They stop taking cars at 4:30pm. I went in first thing Monday morning - I was literally their first customer of the day. I did it at this time because my car lacks a clutch fan at the moment and when I tried to test the car at this shop on Saturday afternoon, the temp guage climbed too high for the tech to be comfortable with. Also, the tech told me cooler temps are more ideal for testing the E30 because if it is running hot during the test, your NOx count may get high enough to fail you....his words, not mine.

Below is the link to my post regarding my test results:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=1084645&postcount=12

Jon

[graphikg]

I appreciate the info like crazy guys. Thanks a lot Jon. I actually took it to Valencia Street smog in SF. I drove there this morning and made it to my class in davis. Talk about time management. Lots of traffic too. I passed there and I went there because I failed twice somewhere else, and at valencia they do not make you pay if you fail. I passed with an almost fail of HC. Just passed by 1 pt!!!!! Beet your record Jon. I recommend this place though. Tell andrew there that Grinil sent you.

[Jon325i]

Just passed by 1 pt!!!!! Beet your record Jon. I recommend this place though. Tell andrew there that Grinil sent you.

If I drive to SF for a smog test, I want to be compensated for fuel expenses, bridge tolls, and because it will take nearly half a day due to all the traveling I want some lunch thrown in the deal too :-P

Glad to hear your car passed the sniffer test....albeit just barely! At least you're in the clear for a couple of years before you have to sweat those details again. Nice work.

Jon