Smog history database

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http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/vehtests/pubtstqry.aspx

for california...

you can type in your lic plate # or vin # and it will show you the smog history (pass/fail, date, time, station).

what sucks is it doesn't show you the emission results, such as hc, co, nox etc, so whats the point? anyone searching it is probably searching because their vehicle failed, what good is it to be told you failed, something you already know?

i was trying to look up the history in regards to output numbers for the various gasses to see why my vehicle failed the last 4 times, congrats, i see it failed the last 4 times... but i can't see the numbers to see if theres a pattern or what.

93 civic lx -


QUALITY TUNE UP #42 /ROSEVILLE, CA -
06/19/96 01:26 p.m. PASS

QUALITY TUNE UP #42 /ROSEVILLE, CA -
06/26/98 02:38 p.m. PASS

MARCO AUTOMOTIVE /ORANGEVALE, CA -
06/29/00 04:16 p.m. PASS

person sells car to a lot in el cajon, ca from which i buy it with 154k on the clock, this is interesting

SERGIOS AUTO REPAIR /EL CAJON, CA
12/02/02 12:17 p.m. FAILED

AUTO SMOG CHECK CENTERS /EL CAJON, CA
12/02/02 05:01 p.m. PASS

so the used car dealer takes it to smog it for registration, it fails, then does something to it and takes it to another place the SAME DAY and it passes, what he did is a mystery, thats why i'd like to see the output numbers, did he put something on the car to pass then remove it after? see what i mean...

then i get a nitice saying my vehicle has a gross polluter profile, take it to a test only station... so i do...

SPEEDY SMOG OF CALIFORNIA /LA MESA, CA
05/22/04 02:08 p.m. FAILED

then i have the state put up $500 to fix it so it will pass smog, this next guy replaces the oxygen sensor and charges the state $480 plus $20 for the diagnostic, gee...$500...yeah, for a $70 oxygen sensor, not suprising.

WALLYS DIAGNOSTIC AUTO REPAIR /LA MESA, CA
07/09/04 08:58 a.m. FAILED

he replaces the O2 sensor and tries again -

WALLYS DIAGNOSTIC AUTO REPAIR /LA MESA, CA
07/09/04 05:38 p.m. FAILED

then the state says, well ok we will let you have a one time only 2 year extention to fix the problem, whatever it is....take it to this place

STATE OF CA SMOG CHECK REFEREE CTR /CHULA VISTA, CA
07/23/04 08:50 a.m. FAILED

and thats the history, they give a smog cert # but no numbers as to the output, i'd like to know what the dealer did to make it pass in one day... every gas is near or below the allowed output level, except NOX, it is about twice the legal level... no egr came on this vehicle.

only thing i can think of is it has what looks to be a catco cat converter that has been "around the block" and since these vehicles have a 3 way cat it is the only thing that burns NOX and since theres soot on my tailpipe, it has probably been clogged in that 2 years and is no longer good...

edit: i emailed the bureau of automotive repair and asked if there was some way they can send them to me, also asked if having a PCV catch can was smog legal...

[ April 22, 2006, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Pontius Pilate ]
 
this is from the california smog check site

quote:

Exhaust Gas Recirculation

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system

Some 1972 and most 1973 and later vehicles are originally equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation system.

The EGR system reduces oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by recirculating controlled amounts of exhaust gases into the air/fuel mixture before they enter the combustion chamber.

Tampered EGR system

 -
Check to see whether the EGR valve has been removed, damaged or plugged. Most EGR tampering is done by plugging the EGR signal line. A plugged line can usually be repaired quickly. However, prolonged plugging of the EGR system can create expensive engine damage.

odd that my 93 was manufactured without one.

from what i've read, folks in california try and hide the catch can (impossible) so the tech cant see it on a visual inspection, now why hide it if it's legal? so it must be illegal in california, and i thought it lowered emissions? apparently anything added emission related has to have a CARB # or you fail smog IMMEDIATELY no questions asked.
 
That's creepy that this type info (when and where, passed/failed, VIN number), is available publiclly...


Here's mine:


AUDI A4 QUATTRO 1996

08/07/04 02:36 p.m. P
08/10/02 03:46 p.m. P
08/03/00 09:25 a.m. P

I guess I'll need to get a smog check this year!
 
here's an interesting turn of events...

i have asked this same question on a couple newsgroups and on one, a guy said he checked the chiltons and this car never came with an EGR... and another, a guy claims it does and pointed me to a site

quote:

go here and plug in EGV551
http://www.smpcorp.com/web_app/catalog/publicweb_bg.asp
I'm guessing you'll find it's twin somewhere under the hood.
FWIW
YMMV

also rockauto.com shows up with my car/engine with the same part # ($147), and behind the valve cover there is a mounting area where the EGR would go, but theres no hole into the engine to recirculate the gas... im wondering if it really had one and it was removed, and these super high combustion temps are cooking the engine? perhaps one can be added? ill take a pic of where im talking about in the engine and post it, thanks guys for any help
 
Is the vehicle emissions control information decal still intact and readable?

That should show whether or not it should have an EGR valve. It should either show it in the vaccum diagram or I believe it'll be listed as EGR somewhere on the label.

My brother had a 1993 Ford Escort 1.9L and the connectors and wiring for the EGR sensor and solenoid were present, but no EGR valve, sensor, or solenoid.

Later on I found out that only CA emissions Escorts got EGR.
 
quote:

Is the vehicle emissions control information decal still intact and readable?

no, i believe the hood was replaced, i got it at 154k and it has 172k now, had it for 5 years... wish i could get a replacement label.

quote:

Later on I found out that only CA emissions Escorts got EGR.

i've been thinking that this car was from out of state and therefore was never made with one, and therefore won't pass, but it would be pretty illegal to sell a non california smogable car in california, especially if you're a dealer, atleast i'd think... and some folks have told me only the autos came with one, not the manuals which also makes zero sense to me... the manufacturer of the above named EGR asked me for my vin # and they got back to me and said my car never came with one, it has to be timing/spark something else causing high nox... state hasn't gotten back to me yet on those emissions #'s, might have to call them now.
 
I thought the rule in California was something like you couldn't sell a non-CA emissions car that's newer than 3 model years, or something like that.
 
oddly enough i had the emissions checked in my 2003 dakota today (renewal time is here). they didnt run it on the dyno--just connected to the obd-2 port and looked for codes.

tech said it takes 7 min for test (and they charge $28) now. this only applies to 1996 and newer vehicles of course.
 
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