Passed CA Smog on First Try (90Q with 253k miles)!!!!

[goody90q45]

I passed the biannual (every 2 years) enhanced CA smog test yesterday and am very pleased considering my Q is 21 years old and has 253,000 miles on the original engine. I was concerned about passing this one since all three standards (HC, CO, NO) were lowered (enhanced) and it had barely squeaked by on HC (100ppm meas./102ppm max.) from the PO-provided smog test when I purchased this Q.

It looks like my ongoing maintenance is paying off as all the emissions were down from the previous test. In fact they were lower than the smog test from 1994 when the car was only 4 years old with 77k miles. I expected good results since gas mileage has been good, idle and performance are fine, injectors all ohm within range and the laptop consult showed no issues. I barely squeaked by again on HC (72 max./72 meas.) but notice that the standard has been lowered (enhanced) from 100 to 72. CO was 0.07 and 0.08 at 15 and 25 mph, and NO was 3 and 1 at 15 and 25 mph. The CO and NO measured amounts are well within spec and are just a few % of the max allowed. I've got 2 years to fix the HC but a new set of plugs (they're 90,000 miles and 10 years old) should lower it enough to pass the next smog test.

In preparation for the test, last weekend I removed and cleaned the TB (very dirty behind the plate) and did the same to the EGR valve. There was very little carbon buildup in the EGR system since I had cleaned the EGR, TB and IAC valve a few years ago. I also added a bottle of Redline S-1 injector system cleaner and made a run to Reno a couple of weekends ago. My Q gets regular fluid and filter changes and a bottle of Redline every couple of months.

There's not many 20 year old cars with 250,000 miles on the road in CA any more and I brag about it all the time to anyone that wants to listen. Back in the day there were junkers everywhere spewing black smoke and fouling the air. You'll rarely see that happening nowadays so we can thank the state and CARB for cleaning up that problem. It's too bad it's so expensive ($70) and has to be done every 2 years.

[OwnerCS]

Congratulations Mike! It looks like you've got 9 years to go before the 30 year antique auto exemption applies.

[3Q Jay]

well done Mike! i assume they also did the EVAP test (relatively new) on you as well?

CS Owner, there is no longer a 'granfathering' in California. Everything from model year 75 (1st year of CA cats) on up has to test.

[Q45man1]

Congrats Mike! I did the same maintenance prior to smog test last September. And at the same time pulled out my NICO ECU.
Mine at 159K miles still a long way compare to yours!

[goody90q45]

I forgot to mention there was a bit of bad news from the shop. The drip in my driveway coming from the drivers side rear wheel was silicone from a leaking subframe bushing and not brake fluid. They cleaned up the rest of the leak so at least it's not dirtying the driveway any more.

........i assume they also did the EVAP test (relatively new) on you as well?.....

Yes. I think it was an extra $8-$10 for OBD-1 vehicles to make sure the fuel tank, gas cap, cannister, etc. hold pressure.

..........I did the same maintenance prior to smog test last September. And at the same time pulled out my NICO ECU.....

On the last smog test on my 94Q I forgot I had the NICO ECU installed and still passed!....after the state paid for a new catalytic converter since we're on their gross polluter list.

[xerexabante]

+10 on Red Line addetive

I have a 94 Camry wagon V6, 7 seater I gave to my mother in law, it has 210k now. Owned it since 1999 had 100k miles.Original motor, transmission, alternator. Always passes smog

[lino]

Well done Mike

It must feel pretty good to get a clean bill of health. Not only does your car work great, but it also loks great too .

[Q45tech]

My 90 with 328,000 miles still passes by a wide margin.

[AZhitman]

....after the state paid for a new catalytic converter since we're on their gross polluter list.

Wait, wut?

Are you kidding me?

While AZ has strict emissions laws, we're sure as hell not paying for repairs. Pass or else. Wow... at $500+ a pop, that's gotta be contributing to the state's financial troubles.

[goody90q45]

No Kidding! The state set up a fund that lasted 6-9 months (might have been a bit longer) and the $500 was available with a few catches until the $$ ran out. If you were at a "test only" station, different from a standard test-repair-retest shop, and failed the smog test, the state would give you up to $500 for repairs after you paid the first $100 towards the repair. Of course you had to be low income to get the full $500 and fill out a very lengthy form with supporting documentation (1040) but if your car was classified as a gross polluter, which the G50 Q45 is in CA and why I have to go to test-only stations, then the $500 was yours for repairs regardless of income.

Other than having to take a drive to the local CA BAR to get the paperwork approved prior to the repairs (10 miles from home, 15 minutes for approval) it was a simple process. The shop took care of their reimbursement with the state and I only had to shell out $100. Funny how the bill came to $593. Hopefully the state will do it again. It was a good program to help needy people (like myself of course) get their cars running clean again. (Laughing to myself)

[yodawill2000]

My 90 with 328,000 miles still passes by a wide margin.

My 94 J knocking on 200K still confuses the bejezzus out of the emissions tester here. LOL