[chenry]

I posted on this a while back "will my car pass smog if I leave my JBD in:....the consensus was "yes"....and that was 100% spot on

This was my first time having a smog done on the D (it's a 2011 so why I needed smog is beyond me but whatever)....

what was most eye opening to me (probably not news to many of you here) is that they do NO emissions testing....it is simply a visual inspection and something they call functional (basically a visual)....no tale pipe, no engine run up...no nothing. I was out in 10 mins - they popped the hood had the car idle for 5mins checked the stickers under the hood and away I went with my certificate of "passing"

I asked the tech why no run up etc...and he stated that the equipment was not able to check tail pipe emissions on diesels

I find this all kind of useless and silly....but hey this is California

[Quasimodem]

My '09 has never had to take an emissions test. What a hassle that is in a gasser.

[diaz92376]

I just did mine a couple of weeks ago and what a headache!! Few weeks before that had my car in for carbon build up and so when they hooked it up to the computer showed not ready for cat and o2. After driving it for over a 1000 miles and still nothing had the dealer do it and they had no problem unlike the little shops. Had to pay little more but got it done damn greedy ass California.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by chenry

I posted on this a while back "will my car pass smog if I leave my JBD in:....the consensus was "yes"....and that was 100% spot on

This was my first time having a smog done on the D (it's a 2011 so why I needed smog is beyond me but whatever)....

what was most eye opening to me (probably not news to many of you here) is that they do NO emissions testing....it is simply a visual inspection and something they call functional (basically a visual)....no tale pipe, no engine run up...no nothing. I was out in 10 mins - they popped the hood had the car idle for 5mins checked the stickers under the hood and away I went with my certificate of "passing"

I asked the tech why no run up etc...and he stated that the equipment was not able to check tail pipe emissions on diesels

I find this all kind of useless and silly....but hey this is California

Thank the farm lobby.

[AzureHaze]

Oh crap, you just reminded me that I have to do one before I renew my registration. Good to know that I can leave the JBD in. Thanks OP.

Yes, the great state of California has all kinds of lovely regulations and laws...

[joe_planet]

Nice! My early inspection costs $14.50 in texas and no actual emissions testing only visual.

[greentrbo95gst]

I am in Socal as well and they made me go through the whole emissions test earlier this year. It's also for a 2011 335d.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by greentrbo95gst

I am in Socal as well and they made me go through the whole emissions test earlier this year. It's also for a 2011 335d.

what is "the whole emissions test"?

This is a basic explanation of what diesel testing is supposed to consist of, mostly the same as gas with the pretty big exception being no exhaust gas testing:

What the smog test consists of:
Visual inspection for tampering with emissions controls, equipment, and for the presence of non-CARB-exempt emissions-related aftermarket parts (parts without CARB Executive Order numbers)

Onboard Diagnostics (OBD-II) interrogation to check for proper malfunction indicator light (MIL) operation, OBD readiness status codes, and any present diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)

Visible smoke test of the vehicle's crankcase (observed with the engine idling for approximately 10 seconds) and tailpipe at idle. Three snap tests should be performed from engine idle to between 2,000 rpm and 3,000 rpm. The first snap test does not count, the following two do. If smoke lingers for more than three seconds on the second or third test, the vehicle will fail. Nothing should obscure the technician's view of the exhaust plume (and a white backdrop is suggested). Again, this is completely at the technician's discretion.

Read more: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/1...#ixzz2fpfzMZkK

[greentrbo95gst]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

what is "the whole emissions test"?

This is a basic explanation of what diesel testing is supposed to consist of, mostly the same as gas with the pretty big exception being no exhaust gas testing:

The car went through what you described plus a sniff test at idle.
It seems like few other guys in the same state only had a visual inspection.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by greentrbo95gst

The car went through what you described plus a sniff test at idle.
It seems like few other guys in the same state only had a visual inspection.

the tech screwed up if they did a sniffer test, unless they have implemented some sort of local program (unlikely). Not really an issue as long as you passed. Goes to show that they still dont know WTF theyre doing for the diesel test though.

[greentrbo95gst]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

the tech screwed up if they did a sniffer test, unless they have implemented some sort of local program (unlikely). Not really an issue as long as you passed. Goes to show that they still dont know WTF theyre doing for the diesel test though.

I questioned the tech and he just shrugged his shoulders and said that is what the computer is telling him to do.

[jiaan13]

Do you guys know if a Low DEF warning light will cause me to fail smog in CA?

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by plantationwalrus

Do you guys know if a Low DEF warning light will cause me to fail smog in CA?

You have a low DEF warning light? Damn, when did they add that? I feel cheated.

[Hoooper]

yeah mine just indicates a warning at startup and then goes away. Its not a check engine light though

[jiaan13]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

You have a low DEF warning light? Damn, when did they add that? I feel cheated.

Ha, it's just a "No Start in XXX Miles" message, then displays an exclamation point on the dash while driving.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by plantationwalrus

Ha, it's just a "No Start in XXX Miles" message, then displays an exclamation point on the dash while driving.

good to go for smog then. Check engine light is all that matters, and if there are stored codes which low DEF doesnt do. Might as well just fill it a little (or all the way) before going just to avoid any complications

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

good to go for smog then. Check engine light is all that matters, and if there are stored codes which low DEF doesnt do. Might as well just fill it a little (or all the way) before going just to avoid any complications

Remember, if you fill in only a little (the small bottle) -- put it in the active tank (lower nozzle). I learned that the hard way, and I still don't understand why. If you refill the main tank (upper nozzle) it doesn't work unless you put a lot in, like a 2.5 gallon bottle.

[Sabersix]

I had smog check today in San Diego with JBD installed. It was routed out of sight just in case.

passed. no problem.

[jiaan13]

Originally Posted by plantationwalrus

Ha, it's just a "No Start in XXX Miles" message, then displays an exclamation point on the dash while driving.

Just got my smog done today, they didn't mention the light on the panel, and they gave me a Pass in 10-15 mins.