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Sat Jul 01, 2006 2:34 pm

It came today, the one thing I have been dreading since buying my Bug. The notice from the Air Quality Board. It is time for my first emissions test. So, any hint’s on how to make sure I pass? I have very new (less then a month old) Points, plugs, and condenser in the car. I will make sure it is timed right before I go. I will also make sure I am good and warmed up. Anything else? I would especially appreciate any advice from anyone in Ada County Idaho, any Bus Pilots out there who have faced the Ada county air quality board before?

Sat Jul 01, 2006 2:59 pm

What year is your VW? If it's a '75 or later, make sure that you have a good catalytic converter, one that hasn't been "cored" (all material removed and just a straight pipe). Whatever year it is, the best thing to do is to make sure that you have all of the stock emissions control equipment installed, and that is is tuned to the factory specifications according to the Bentley manual. If you're running aftermarket carbs, a high performance cam, etc, you may have problems, though it is still possible to meet the emissions requirements for your state. If you can, take the car to a mechanic you trust and have them perform an emissions test prior to taking it to your inspection station. If there's something that needs to be fixed or adjusted, they'll have the equipment to check the emissions afterwards.

Sat Jul 01, 2006 3:26 pm

here in california, i have never seen an aircooled engine pass emissions. my only advice i can give you is to make sure all hoses, vaccuum lines are in good shape, and pray it will pass. though emissions in your state are probably less strict than mine. :x

Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:33 am

I live in Nevada. If I lived in California,
I would be EXEMPT from smog tests... go figure.

Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:53 am

My Bug is a 68. This valley is pretty heavily populated with air cooled VW's. I would think the testers would be used to them and it should pass. I am planning to find out tomorrow.

Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:56 am

A good tune up certainly will help though.

Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:30 am

hint
everything they said, and
bump your timing down a bit
and bump your idle up to
about 1200rpms
this will lean it out a little
it will run like crap, for the test,
but if everything else is right on, this will
help just a bit.
make sure the you reset everything back after the test.
I like running a little rich,

Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:54 am

In addition to what others wrote, bring the car in with the engine hot.
So, if the testing place is near, ride around for a while before going in.
Try searching this forum for that "smogging" thread. It is here somewhere.

My 79s passed with a couple of little problems about four or five times times between the two of them.
One year I did get talked into a new ?catalytic? (Sp) converter and passed
(still have bad feelings on that deal)

If you do have problems search out your neighborhood pro/guru and tell them your situation. You will get help and pass.

Happy Fourth

Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:09 am

Back from the dead...

Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:02 am

Ha! I didn't notice the date.
I live and learn,
another example of the importance of paying attention!

(glad I didn't search for the mentioned thread, Ha!)

happy fourth still!

Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:45 pm

vwluver74 wrote: here in california, i have never seen an aircooled engine pass emissions. my only advice i can give you is to make sure all hoses, vaccuum lines are in good shape, and pray it will pass. though emissions in your state are probably less strict than mine. :x

I used to have to get mine tested every other year here in Cali before it was grandfather out. With a 1904 it passed the emissions portion of the test no problem, as long as I could get someone to overlook the visual inspection I was fine.