The idiots that govern California are making it harder and harder each year to smog older cars. I've got a 1976 Eldorado, and the state continues to lower emission numbers that make it almost impossible to pass. Does any Caddy owners out there know of a star smog station that can pass my 76 in the San Gabriel area that knows Cadillacs?
Thanks much,
Fritz
I thought that you only had to meet the emissions standards that were in effect whe the car was new.
Greg Surfas
Fritz,
I'm sorry I can't help with your question, but I had a friend who lived out there years ago and he also had an old vehicle that had to go through the emissions testing. But from what I was told, the vehicle being tested only has to pass the emissions standard for the year the vehicle was built, not anything newer.
Is that how they are still doing it, or are they trying to screw everyone with an old car now?
Because if they're requiring you to meet a standard that your vehicle would never ever pass even when new, then that's just plain wrong, and frankly should also be illegal.
Just my two cents on it.
Rick
Sorry for the duplication, I just noticed that Greg posted 12 seconds before I did.
I wonder if they are just lowering the percentage they consider passing? Maybe if your car was supposed to be a 10 and they used to say they would pass at 15 and now they are saying 14? I could see that but not saying its got to be lower than it was designed to be in the first place.
The real important question is what are you failing on? You really have to know what specific part of the test you are failing on and by how much. If you have the last few test results there may be a trend that will give some clues.
A little late to this post but your car should pass easily if the engine compression is good and all else in good working order including plug wires, CAT, air injection and an EGR valve plus relatively high pass/fail "cut-points". I just checked on the CA BAR site and your 76 Eldo is allowed:
ASM 5015 Test or 50 seconds at 15 mph test: (ASM is Acceleration Simulation Mode which means your car goes on the dyno to measure NOx)
HC 173 PPM
CO 1.16%
NOx 1206 PPM
ASM 2525 25 seconds at 25 mph test
HC 140 PPM
CO .96 %
NOx 1066 PPM
If your car is properly tuned, and your CAT good and the EGR system working, your tailpipe readings should be AT LEAST half of the limits.
The other caveat is the Evaporative system. Pre-OBD 2 cars (1995 and earlier) require the evap system to be pressure tested manually with 1psi of nitrogen. Also the gas cap is tested. 45 year old evap hoses are a common evap failure.
If you failed, post the report so we can see where the problem could be.
If you already passed the test, congratulations! You have two years until having to do it again.
(BTW, only one cut limit standard for the 76 Eldo meaning no listing for fuel injected models)
Does a 76 even have any valves on the evap system? I thought those came a little later. I know a little earlier had the charcoal canister but it didn't have any valves so there would not be anything to hold any pressure.
How long do they have to hold the pressure?
Yes, Evap started in 71 and 76 had a mechanical purge valve. However, to test, they will pinch off the evap line just before the canister which pressure tests the fuel tank and lines up to the canister. The lines from the canister to the carb and purge valve are a visual inspection.
Thanks fellows for all your valuable insights. After a couple of failed test I found a guy that leaned the engine out enough so that it would pass. He then retuned the carb to smooth the idle back to normal.
As much as I love my 76, I think I'll get me a 75 or get the heck out of California!!!!
41 Tour Sedan
60 Coupe de Ville
65 Coupe de Ville
76 Eldorado
Fritz,
Quote from: flw004 on November 18, 2020, 04:59:38 PM
I think I'll get the heck out of California!!!!
>:D
Bobby
Quote from: flw004 on November 18, 2020, 04:59:38 PM
As much as I love my 76, I think I'll get me a 75 or get the heck out of California!!!!
Fritz,
B for the win Alex!