Fact vs. Fiction: Explaining California’s New Exhaust Noise Law

Be advised that if your car fails smog it will be on record permanently in it's historical data. I know this because my e28 has failed several times and it's recorded. This is important because if an owner who is trying to sell or a buyer who is trying to buy a car information like this can hurt negations $$$ and cause suspicions as to what was done (modifications) to the car to fail. I don't care because I don't plan on selling my e28.

At the end of the day know your mods done to the car, the law, and don't be surprised if you get tagged. Keep it simple by keeping in mind no modifications between intake and CAT can prevent some grief. If you chose to roll the dice, don't cry if your car fails.

Very good point.
However, you can request a PRE-TEST.
This is NOT recorded.
If the car fails you can repair it and come back for the retest.


Dave

Not free, I hate throwing money away like that.

That is why going to a "Pass or Free Re-Test" is a good idea.
You only pay for it once.

Here we have been talking about people that have possibly modified their car.
I would think the cost of a smog test would be cheap enough to not get caught.


Dave

I already do that with my cars and plan on it for the FiST.

However, a Pre-Test is not free.

Correct, a Pre-Test is not free.
However if you ask, it can be counted as the first test and you still only pay for one test.


Dave

@ koozy has brought up very good points and to that I do agree.
Any modifications could raise questions and a Smog Check Inspector could fail your car.
The point I have been tiring to make is that the consumer has rights too.

The enforcement agency for Smog Check is the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) however, the second half of their name is the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).

I did email the BAR/DCA and asked the question.
The only issue is that I was referring to the Smog Check Reference Guide, (appendix G) and he is referring to the Smog Check Manual (appendix C).
Both of these are the SAME chart as was posted on the first page of this thread.
You will also see that it is hard to get the correct answer unless you force them to look it up, I have had this problem before as well.

The last response is the important one and what I have been saying.

Here are the emails:


From: Dave Lefevre <D1JL@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2019 9:25 PM
To: Bareditor@DCA <bareditor@dca.ca.gov>
Subject: OIL Catch Can


I am a private citizen and just want clarification.
Is it legal to install an after market oil separator (catch can) inline with the PCV system on a 2014 turbocharged vehicle, maintaining the closed PVC system?
Thank you,
Dave Lefevre

From: Bareditor@DCA <bareditor@dca.ca.gov>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 8:05 AM
To: Dave Lefevre <D1JL@xxxxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: RE: OIL Catch Can


Good Morning,
If the add on accessory has an Executive Order number then it should be ok. If not, it may fail a smog check for “Modified”.
Bar Editor

From: Dave Lefevre <d1jl@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 8:10 AM
To: Bareditor@DCA <bareditor@dca.ca.gov>
Subject: RE: OIL Catch Can


Thank you for your response.
However, in the Smog Check Reference Guide, appendix G says that Oil Separators do not require an Executive Order Number.
So I am confused.
Dave Lefevre



From: Bareditor@DCA <bareditor@dca.ca.gov>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 8:45 AM
To: Dave Lefevre <d1jl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: RE: OIL Catch Can


Dave,
Appendix G deals with Catalytic Converters, but appendix C does state that an oil separator/filter is exempted from an EO number. Be prepared that if not installed correctly, it may fail for visual.
Bar Editor


I hope this clears things up.

Dave

I guess I'm lucky that my e28 burns little to no oil. The M30 motor is very stout with a 22 year production run. 217,000 miles on the odo and dependable.

BTW:
Selling you an oil change on your BMW does not fix the car to pass smog, although it can't hurt.
What oil that may be in the CAT is still there, it is heating up the CAT to burn the oil out is what does the trick as I stated above.

Burning oil will however, does contaminate the O2 sensor, requiring changing more often.

I did this for a long time and I learned a lot of tricks.



Dave

I may have misunderstood.
In case you don't know, most Test Only Stations CAN now sell oil changes, air filters, and gas caps.


Dave

Thats news to me a good friend of my friend operated a Star Station in Van Nuys up till a year or so ago. He never offered any of that. I used to take all my cars to him for smogs. He did offer DMV services towards the end before he sold the business.

I am not 100% sure if this is still going on but it did start just before I left the business.
It was at regular Test Only Stations, not STAR as far as I know.
It was also voluntary of the station (nothing mandatory).
I know the station I worked at offered it when it was allowed to make more money.


Dave

found this:


A STAR station smog check is smog check done at a station that is closely monitored by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs. The BAR has a higher standard for vehicle smog checks than other stations.
The STAR program was instituted in California in 2013. When certain drivers receive their vehicle registration renewal notice from the DMV, they may also see a note instructing them to get certification at a STAR station.
Vehicles that previously failed a smog check, have a high chance of failing or are one of a random sample of vehicles are chosen to have a smog check by a STAR station. Inspections performed at a STAR station cost more than a regular smog inspection.
There are two types of STAR stations: STAR Test Only Centers only inspect the vehicle, while STAR Test and Repair stations test and repair any problems that are found.



Dave