What can I do to insure a pass of smog tests ? I have an 86 4/4 GL wagon carbed standard trans runs well. Timing is set to 8 or 9 degrees before standard I beleive , Idle is set at 850 RPM standard range. any TIPS OR IDEAS ? what about fuel tank tests and Vapor cannister systems { DIY} ideas needed ASAP thanks alot . NP> PS I just cleened EGR valve

Hi Ned ,

 

I used to run a repair shop over in Huntington Beach 4 years ago thats right in year neck of the woods . But it wasnt Subaru .

 

Anyway ... do you know a good independant you can trust that you can take it to and have them do a precheck on it for cheap ? Its really hard to know if its going to pass even if it runs good . CA has gone crazy anymore with their motor vehicle smog laws . They dont like older cars and honestly I think they want to get them off the roads . CA isnt the only one either as a lot of states are just as bad . ( AZ is still OK no smogs .... except in Phoenix area ) ... its coming though one of these days

 

When you open the gas cap , does it "whoosh " ? That would mean its sealing . Let it set for awhile and try it . The longer it sits and holds the better its sealing and will probably get you through that part of the test . They used to give you a waver if the repairs went over a certain amount ( you had to spend up to that amount , and then they waved it ) . 400 or 500 bucks I think it was back then . See with an old car sometimes it wasnt worth it and it was off the road

 

Good luck ! I'm glad I got out of the car repair busness over there . It was getting impossible towards the end . I felt bad for customers that had older , but really nice cars , and dealing with all that crap .

 

Bob

Hey thanks for yhe reply . When I open the cap no whoosh sound maybe not sealing New gas cap what should I check for leaks first ? This car has a carb Isn,t this vented to air ? can I cap the vent lines with a BALL BEARING IN the lines to pass the pressure test need to get it sealed somehow, thanks NP

The carbs in the 80's have vent solenoid's that only open when the engine is running. When it isn't running the tank and carb bowl are vented to the carbon canistor under the hood. You can block the fuel tank vent line at the firewall and give that a try. If you have a small hand-operated vacuum pump you could try pulling a vacuum on the tank from the vent line at the firewall - it should hold a vacuum for a short while anyway.

 

GD