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Thu May 11, 2017 2:56 pm

Overall test result- tamper?

Modified catalytic converter
Fuel evap test "gross leak"

My numbers looks alright and my cat only as 4000 miles in two years

They will charges an arm and a leg to fix this for sure

How should I go about this

Marc..

Thu May 11, 2017 3:08 pm

Thats BS, your numbers are well below legal. Does your cat look new and does not have the CARB ID on it?

Thu May 11, 2017 3:25 pm

Inlet wrote: Thats BS, your numbers are well below legal. Does your cat look new and does not have the CA smog ID on it?

The cat looks recent, was installed in late 2014, don't know about the CA smog ID

And this is the same garage that I pass my last smog, sounds fishy

I hate loosing confidence in people I trust :evil:

Thanks, Marc

Thu May 11, 2017 3:43 pm

Does the cat have a number that looks like this on it?

Was this cat on your van the last time you passed smog?

Thu May 11, 2017 3:57 pm

Inlet wrote: Does the cat have a number that looks like this on it?

Was this cat on your van the last time you passed smog?

Yes, yes and it was paid $350

Marc..

Thu May 11, 2017 4:13 pm

I would get a detailed explanation on why the cat failed the visual, that doesn't make any sense to me, its hard to read the note.

The evap is a bit tricky too, because these vans are exempt from doing the test but its up to the shop to decide if they want to do it, some of these guys don't even know how to do it right and you end up getting failed. You could have developed a leak in the evap system, for me it was the gas overflow tanks in the wheel wells, I patched them up did a smoke test and everything was fine. I still brought it to the shop that doesn't test for evap though.

Thu May 11, 2017 4:25 pm

Inlet wrote: I would get a detailed explanation on why the cat failed the visual, that doesn't make any sense to me, its hard to read the note.

The evap is a bit tricky too, because these vans are exempt from doing the test but its up to the shop to decide if they want to do it, some of these guys don't even know how to do it right and you end up getting failed. You could have developed a leak in the evap system, for me it was the gas overflow tanks in the wheel wells, I patched them up did a smoke test and everything was fine. I still brought it to the shop that doesn't test for evap though.

So my cat failed visual? The same cat they passed two years ago :?

And the same garage made evap non applicable two years ago :?

I'm really confused

Marc..

Thu May 11, 2017 4:29 pm

This shop isn't the one who installed that cat is it? If it is, did you fail emissions or did they tell you, that you need a CA certified cat to pass...

Thu May 11, 2017 4:54 pm

Inlet wrote: This shop isn't the one who installed that cat is it? If it is, did you fail emissions or did they tell you, that you need a CA certified cat to pass...

No, previous owner, from the record he was trying to pass smog, couldn't because of a non applicable reason. I end up doing it when I bought the van, that was 2 1/2 years ago. They just told me I failed cat and the evap test and how much $$$ it will probably cost

Marc..

Thu May 11, 2017 5:02 pm

Marcq wrote: And the same garage made evap non applicable two years ago :?

Same garage, different tech. :wink: :?

The note the tech wrote, "D280-48 wrong [something] cat": If that D280-48 is what is stamped on the cat, the tech was, perhaps referring to this https://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-280-48.pdf , which doesn't list Volkswagen. Is this an AirTek cat converter by chance? What numbers are stamped into your cat converter?

Approved Magnaflow converters for Vanagons (D193-85): https://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-193-85.pdf .

It's possible that the previous tech simply checked for a cat, but didn't inspect it closely for being the proper version (I'll keep my comments about that to myself :| ).

Perhaps take the van to a different smog shop, along with the 2014 result sheet.

Thu May 11, 2017 5:15 pm

kamzcab86 wrote: Marcq wrote: And the same garage made evap non applicable two years ago :?

Same garage, different tech. :wink: :?

The note the tech wrote, "D280-48 wrong [something] cat": If that D280-48 is what is stamped on the cat, the tech was, perhaps referring to this https://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-280-48.pdf , which doesn't list Volkswagen. Is this an AirTek cat converter by chance? What numbers are stamped into your cat converter?

.
Yup! for the number but don't know for the make
D280-48
66044r
01/14

Thu May 11, 2017 5:38 pm

Marcq wrote: Yup! for the number but don't know for the make
D280-48
66044r
01/14

That's probably the problem then. :(

For an AirTek, it needs to be D280-94 (#98135) or D280-47 (#91135) to make CARB & smog techs happy, regardless if your current D280-48 is working as designed (insert colorful language here). :roll:

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx

The previous tech either didn't catch the error, or didn't care, whereas this current tech caught it. :x

Fri May 12, 2017 5:44 am

Either go to a new place (Check Only)

OR

Replace the cat (which you can do usually easily in your drive way since the bolts are fresh.)

The evap leak may be a procedural problem, but I might point out your last test which you should present a copy of. This is the thing that could get tricky. I think there are threads discussing this.

Your tech is picky on the cat. Might have been caught before by the CARB.

This is a crappy way to not pass.......

Just go to a Check Only

Fri May 12, 2017 6:26 am

California Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database

kamzcab86 has it right. From the link for 1989 it shows these as acceptable:

N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 91094 PRE-OBDII D-280-47 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 91135 PRE-OBDII D-280-47 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 98104 PRE-OBDII D-280-94 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 98135 PRE-OBDII D-280-94 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 88894 PRE-OBDII D-280-98 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 39034 PRE-OBDII D-193-85 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 39918 PRE-OBDII D-193-85 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 39958 PRE-OBDII D-193-85 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 339034 PRE-OBDII D-193-105 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 339918 PRE-OBDII D-193-105 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 339958 PRE-OBDII D-193-105 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Eastern Manufacturing Inc. 863010 PRE-OBDII D-665-2 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL

Fri May 12, 2017 6:53 am

The thing I don't understand, when the cat was replaced in 2014, it was from a garage in LA Herbie's Autohaus specialize in German and Japanese car, why would they install a cat that's not legal/approved ?

Marc..

Fri May 12, 2017 8:57 am

Marcq wrote: The thing I don't understand, when the cat was replaced in 2014, it was from a garage in LA Herbie's Autohaus specialize in German and Japanese car, why would they install a cat that's not legal/approved ?

Marc..

I would suggest that you call LA Herbie's Autohaus, explain the problem that you are having, and ask if they could recommend a smog shop who might be a little more pliable. I am not aware of any legal changes in how CA smog shops operate today versus 2014. (They do seem to be more and more careful over time though.) It does not appear that a CAT with executive order number D-280-48 was approved for any VW vehicles. Maybe you are not the only person who has run into this problem with a CAT installed by them, and they have knowledge of a smog shop who will not take the time to investigate the number on the CAT (over time, rusted CAT numbers become illegible anyway).

https://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-280-48.pdf

Fri May 12, 2017 8:59 am

Marcq wrote: The thing I don't understand, when the cat was replaced in 2014, it was from a garage in LA Herbie's Autohaus specialize in German and Japanese car, why would they install a cat that's not legal/approved ?

Marc..

What is the part number on your tampered cat?

If it is a non conforming cat, some body in the chain did not know or did not care.......

Could be supplier, shop or the tech.

Point is that it has been flagged.

It is crappy.

You would think new parts are good but it is the opposite.....they scrutinize those at smog checks.

In my case I have the EO in the glove box waiting.

My advise stands to find out about the evap and find another smoke test place.

What is the part number on your tampered cat?

Fri May 12, 2017 9:03 am

termuehlen wrote: Marcq wrote: The thing I don't understand, when the cat was replaced in 2014, it was from a garage in LA Herbie's Autohaus specialize in German and Japanese car, why would they install a cat that's not legal/approved ?

Marc..

I would suggest that you call LA Herbie's Autohaus, explain the problem that you are having, and ask if they could recommend a smog shop who might be a little more pliable. I am not aware of any legal changes in how CA smog shops operate today versus 2014. (They do seem to be more and more careful over time though.) It does not appear that a CAT with executive order number D-280-48 was approved for any VW vehicles. Maybe you are not the only person who has run into this problem with a CAT installed by them, and they have knowledge of a smog shop who will not take the time to investigate the number on the CAT (over time, rusted CAT numbers become illegible anyway).

https://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-280-48.pdf

Good idea

If that wasn't enough they charge me $95 for that failed smog :twisted:

Marc..

Fri May 12, 2017 10:51 am

My understanding is that if the cat is; not one of the newer and improved and expensive models BUT has been on there for years, there is no reason to not pass it as long as it passes the smog requirements.

I have a Grand Fathered cat on my 82 Westy and its been on there for years and years and years, AND every other year I pass all smog checks with flying colors. When the cat finally does crap out I will then need to purchase the newer CARB approved cats ( $$$), BUT until then, as long as I pass all tests, it will remain where it is.

On a side note, the smog shop Ive been going to for 10 years, does not even do the leak down test and they only charges $49.75 to smog my Westy. That's with a $ 10.00 coupon that they regularly run.

There are reasons that a smog shop that is accustomed to testing Vanagons WONT do the pressure test so try and find one that's familiar with these vehicles.

Good luck Marc, its a headache dealing with the uncertainty of passing smog, but dealing with clean air is something we all need to live with.

Fri May 12, 2017 11:01 am

I think he just has to get a new cat now. I can't imagine another smog shop is going to pass it after it was indentified and noted as tampered.

Van-cafe sells the right Cat and it works great. The only thing I would try to do is guilt the shop that put that Cat on, to take care of it.