"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
09/16/2013 at 14:31 • Filed to: Daily Turismo
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"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
09/16/2013 at 14:31 • Filed to: Daily Turismo | 2
| 6 |
California's bi-annual smog test seems like small inconvenience, but can become a life/death situation for older budget classics trying to avoid the steely embrace of the crusher. Follow the DailyTurismo as we navigate the complex world of passing CA smog in our 1983 Volvo 242.
If you DT readers and Volvophiles can clear your minds of unburned hydrocarbons for a few minutes to remember all the way back to early June, you'll recall that I had successfully upgraded the Daily Turismo Project Car's EFI system to a later, more common version of Bosch's LH-Jetronic. Prior to that I had replaced the entire engine wiring harness due to starting and rough running woes, and welded up the free hanging exhaust system. All of this was in preparation for getting the car to pass California's esoteric and Draconian emissions inspection. So what ever happened with the smog test? We're finally ready to share after an extended recovery period. This is the conclusion of the first stage of the DTPC saga - getting it running and legal!
First, a little background on why all this pre-work was necessary. Historically, California smog testing was on a rolling 30-year exemption cutoff, and every year a new crop of old beaters were freed from the shackles of smog testing. But in 2005 the rolling party was frozen and thereafter any post-1975 model year car was required to pass emissions every two years, and at the time of sale. Under the previous law our '83 would now be exempt (yay, 2013!) but the sad reality is that emissions limits are actually decreasing for older non-exempt vehicles, yes - as in getting tighter as the vehicle ages. In a very non-DT friendly turn of events this makes older cars less and less likely to pass every time they are tested - even if the cars themselves are maintained well and blow just as clean as they would have brand new!
Continue reading on dailyturismo.com
Words and photos by CFlo of the DailyTurismo.
505Turbeaux
> DailyTurismo
09/16/2013 at 14:44 |
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Send me all of your non emissions compliant CA rust free jalopies up here to Maine please...that solves all of my problems
iarsish dupuy
> DailyTurismo
09/16/2013 at 14:54 |
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I just moved with my 1990 240 wagon from NY to CA, and was terrified of the smog testing it was facing. I was certain it wouldn't pass, but my some miracle it did. The NOx levels were about 5% below the limit (breathe on it wrong and it may have failed), but everything else was surprisingly acceptable. I'll see what the story is in July 2015. I don't know if I'll be up for going through as much hassle as you did to save yours if it fails.
Union of Smog Techs of CA
> DailyTurismo
09/16/2013 at 15:35 |
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They are not getting tighter, only new things like EVAP are dreamed up. The limits for 1980's are VERY lenient.
Volvo's are so easy to get to pass.
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Union of Smog Techs of CA
> iarsish dupuy
09/16/2013 at 15:38 |
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Clean the carbon out of the combustion chambers, test 02 sensor, make sure cooling system is working.
wacopalypsenow
> DailyTurismo
09/16/2013 at 17:01 |
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How dare you try to drive that inefficient garbage on my planet! Crush it! Then go purchase a new Green vehicle that will pass a smog test. One that has been built by:
1. Extracting the necessary ores from earth.
2. Forging them into metallic parts.
3. Pumping petroleum for use in polymers.
4. Assemble all parts.
5. Ship vehicle across world to you.
*Some steps may require excessive amounts of non-renewable resources and/or processes may be completed in nations with little to no environmental guidelines (China)
Once this is done you can feel good in your new "Green" car.
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DailyTurismo
> wacopalypsenow
09/16/2013 at 17:19 |
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Can I just keep this car and put an I Whales sticker on the back? That is basically the same thing...