Sorry to hear this Clay.

What are the consequences for driving it without a smog check?

Forging the smog Check?? etc?

I hear the EPA will jam a catalytic converter up your ass.. on the other hand, I know some smelly people that could use one.

They simply don't issue a renewal sticker for your license plate if you don't pass smog. If you drive with expired tags, for the first year they cite and release. After that, they impound the vehicle and charge A LOT to get it back. More than it's worth in most cases.

My tags are already 2 years out.

It's all electronic. Forging/hacking stuff like that is a digital crime (felony). I could pay a smog tech to "clean pipe" my car, but that was something I refused to do as a smog tech. I wouldn't expect any smog tech to do it for any less than the cost of my repairs anyway. It's just not worth the jail sentence and fines.

Too bad about the converter. I'm sure the law was well intended but I don't really agree with it. If by chance you had an aftermarket converter in there that was a few years old and looked it, and still worked it would pass?

How hard would it be to get a new unit in Oregon, get it a bit dirty and no one would be any wiser?

Getting a factory cat is crazy for an older vehicle. I'm sure this came about because most of the generic replacements are really low in active metals and don't last very long. However, when working they are OK and you can get a heavy duty aftermarket one that holds up pretty well.

I hear you on the job thing, I'm still out of work myself.

BTW, let me know if you need any car parts shipped from Oregon. Do you have access to a welder?

web page

Possible choice

Kevin

Clay, seriously, I have 2 cats/1 O2 sensor. I'll be driving through Newman on Thursday and back by Manteca on Monday. Let me know if you have need of the parts and nearby delivery.

[color:"red"] OK...Sooo.. Can someone photoshop me and Jenna Jamison on to the side of that thing? [/color]

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Russell, You really need to get out of California, it's rotting your brain.

Actually, they have a nitrogen tank and a machine that charges the fuel system with pressure, then monitor the pressure to see if it drops. I passed that without any problems.

Ya, I kinda wonder why the state doesn't use a bottle of oxygen and give the tech's free cigarettes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

Probably because it would be considered unregulated fuel consumption without a catalytic converter.

I was a smog tech. Making a living with the smog police breathing down your neck, waiting for a mistake so they can cite you for a year's wage ain't fun.