Ca has the toughest smog laws in the nation. Last yr i barely passed the smog test & i doubt it if ill pass the test next yr. The state is making it tougher each yr esp for carb cars like mine. The worse readings were test @ 15 mph, HC (PPM) MAX 111, AVG 57, MEAS 110 & test @ 25 mph, MAX 72, AVG 42, MEAS 59. What can be done to get the car to pass the smog test next sept 2013 ? All the other readings were good.

 

Actually, CA has pretty reasonable laws as compared to other, less car-savvy states. For example, engine swaps are completely legal so long as you put a newer, cleaner engine in your older car. As an example, in CA, it's completely legal to drop a 662 HP LS9 motor into your 1980 Corvette.

As for your car, we're kinda at a loss to provide any useful info without knowing the year, make, and model of the car and what you've done to it (if anything) beyond stock.

 

From http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

"Currently, smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs, electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs, hybrids, motorcycles, trailers, or gasoline powered vehicles 1975 and older."

I would suspect that if your car is 1976 or newer, then you have three choices:

1. Find someone who can evaluate your emissions to correct the problem.
2. Go to a smog place that is in a sleazy part of town, they might be willing to..*ahem*..."negotiate..."
3. Get a PO Box and register the car in Yuma, AZ.

Joe is right, more info is needed. I wanted to chime in here so I can follow this thread too. I am curious to read how this all turns out.

 

In general, it is not hard to hit the emissions standards for a given year in any state. They are generally less stringent than the original standards that the car conformed to when new.
If you can't hit the numbers you need, it is because something was modified or is not working correctly.

- Eric

 

Would adjusting the carb very lean for the test help? Hotter plugs maybe? Then return to rich after the test.

 

My car is a 85 olds delta 88 with a 307, V-8, 4 barrel electronic carb. The car has 122,312 miles & is the original stock engine. The car was smogged @ 120,582 miles. When it was smogged i changed the oil the day before but the drive to the test only station was maybe 4 miles. I can only take my car to a test only station or gold shield station to be smogged. Gold shield stations in my area are few.

 

Running it on the highway and testing hot will help also. I am not farmiliar with the electronic carb so I cannot comment if/how you can adjust it lean. It may run a little crappy to and from the test but i believe it will do no harm as long as you do not hammer it. Maybe just removing the air cleaner, again just temporarily, would help. Maybe some one can comment on "fooling" the electronic carb lean? I would look to other California classic owners fo advice also.

 

Thin your gasoline out with pure isopropyl alcohol. The red bottles of heet work well.

 

Do NOT use isopropyl from the store. It is 30% water. Your car will run very poorly, although steam doesn't pollute.