Please excuse the length…
Well I jumped the gun-
Thanks to all who replied. I’m looking forward to applying what you
all have told me but alas I have a story from California to tell.
When I sent my list of questions, they were based on my observations
during the test drive. The seller and I agreed on a price and I paid
my deposit. The only thing left to do was for him to get the Smog
check then I would pick up the car and he would get his cashiers
check. I was so excited that I foolishly thought that the deal
was as good as done (You'd think I'd learn by now).
Starting in August of this year, a new set of laws, in California,
called Smog Check II went into effect. The aim of these laws is
to get the worst polluting cars off the road. The seller was
confident that the car would pass as usual so off he went to
his mechanic. The mechanic tweaked the car so that it would
pass the test. He then connected the car to the computer that
measures the emissions.
According to the horrified seller, who called me later the
next day, the mechanic accidentally knocked loose the #1
spark plug wire while connecting the computer. Very high
emissions were measured by the computer before the mechanic
realized his mistake. By then, it was too late the car was
instantly classified by the State as a "Gross Polluter".
That’s it. No retest. There is no way for the mechanic
to report his error.
Only the can state reclassify the car now at a state
facility (by appointment). Until then the car cannot
be sold or registered. The state will only test the
car, not adjust it so things have to be correct or
they’ll just send it back.
I recommended to the seller to get new plugs, air
filter, an oil change, and a great tune-up before visiting
the referee. Sadly, there is little I can do for him at
this point except wait.
My advice is this: If you live in an area where laws
like these are in effect, make sure that it’ll pass
before the computer is connected - unless you like
dealing with bureaucracy. Oh, and keep your eye on
the guy who is doing the test.
Here is the URL describing the law:
http://webgarage.com/ci/smog.htm
Oh well, I've waited 20 years already. A bit more won't
hurt (much).
-Steve
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