How You Can Ensure Your Vehicle Passes the Required Biennial Smog Test?
The State where you live and its Department of Motor Vehicles requires Biennial smog test be conducted to ensure vehicles pass their requirements. Of course, there are things you can do to ensure that your vehicle passes their smog test. Some things you can do will cost you very little in the way of cash but there are others that will cost you a great deal of money.
Least Costly Measures to Fix and Pass Your Smog Test:
1 – Change oil.
2 – Change oil filter.
3 – Change air filter.
4 – Change fuel filter, if not done for over five years.
5 – Change positive crankcase valve – You can tell the valve is good if you hear clicking noise when it’s shaken. If you don’t hear clicking, you need to change it.
A Little More Costly Measures to Fix and Pass Your Smog Test
1 – Change out spark plugs.
2 – Change out spark plug wires.
3 – Replace vehicle’s distributor rotor. Some vehicles do not have this so you may not have to worry about it.
4 – Look for tears or worn out vacuum lines.
Most Costly Measures to Fix and Pass Your Smog Test
1 – Look for vacuum leaks.
2 – Clean the throttle body.
3 – Clean the fuel injector.
4 – Ensure the EGR valve is correctly working.
5 – Look for oil leaks, which mean the vehicle is losing oil pressure. The PVC valve is responsible for the recycling of the fumes. So, if there is a leak, the emissions may not work right and you won’t pass the smog test. The vehicle’s make and model depends on how easy or hard this is. A broken gasket is usually the reason for leaks. Bear in mind that gaskets are made of rubber, which when constantly subjected to heat will cause them to break down. Gaskets will cost you around $10 a piece.
6 – Exhaust Leaks – If your vehicle is noisy when you accelerate the engine, you have an exhaust leak.
7 – Illuminated Engine Light – If this light is on, you pay not pass the smog test. Learn why it is on. You have the three options to determine this:
– A repair shop
– Auto parts store
– Code Scanner – Connect this to the vehicle’s computer
Sometimes sensors glitch and the computer won’t get a correct reading, which means your vehicle won’t run like it should.
8 – Look at the exhaust. What color is it? White smoke means you could have a water coolant leak, which is going to cost you some money. Black smoke means the engine has an oil leak. If it smells like gas while cold, the catalytic converter isn’t hot enough. If it still smells like gas after warming up, the issue is with the catalytic converter. Your vehicle may need a tune-up.
9 – Have your mechanic do a tune-up on the vehicle, making sure to look over it for possible signs that it may not pass a smog test. The average cost for a tune-up is around $150 for a four-cylinder. The bigger the engine, the more expensive this will be.
Now, don’t just drive your vehicle straight to the smog test. Drive your vehicle for a bit on the highway, then go to a station and idle it for 15 minutes. By this point, the engine and catalytic converter should be functioning at peak performance so you pass the smog check.
However, if you do fail the smog test, have the tech check the engine. Some states do not permit them telling you what is wrong with the vehicle but suggest the possible culprits.
Check our smog center in Smog Check Irvine , smog check in santa ana or local smog check