Smog failed

[Marcq]

Overall test result- tamper?

Modified catalytic converter
Fuel evap test "gross leak"

My numbers looks alright and my cat only as 4000 miles in two years

They will charges an arm and a leg to fix this for sure

How should I go about this

Marc..

[Inlet]

Thats BS, your numbers are well below legal. Does your cat look new and does not have the CARB ID on it?

[Marcq]

[Inlet]

Does the cat have a number that looks like this on it?

Was this cat on your van the last time you passed smog?

[Marcq]

[Inlet]

I would get a detailed explanation on why the cat failed the visual, that doesn't make any sense to me, its hard to read the note.

The evap is a bit tricky too, because these vans are exempt from doing the test but its up to the shop to decide if they want to do it, some of these guys don't even know how to do it right and you end up getting failed. You could have developed a leak in the evap system, for me it was the gas overflow tanks in the wheel wells, I patched them up did a smoke test and everything was fine. I still brought it to the shop that doesn't test for evap though.

[Marcq]

[Inlet]

This shop isn't the one who installed that cat is it? If it is, did you fail emissions or did they tell you, that you need a CA certified cat to pass...

[Marcq]

[kamzcab86]

[Marcq]

[kamzcab86]

[r39o]

Either go to a new place (Check Only)

OR

Replace the cat (which you can do usually easily in your drive way since the bolts are fresh.)

The evap leak may be a procedural problem, but I might point out your last test which you should present a copy of. This is the thing that could get tricky. I think there are threads discussing this.

Your tech is picky on the cat. Might have been caught before by the CARB.

This is a crappy way to not pass.......

Just go to a Check Only
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

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[mustard675]

California Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database

kamzcab86 has it right. From the link for 1989 it shows these as acceptable:

N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 91094 PRE-OBDII D-280-47 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 91135 PRE-OBDII D-280-47 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 98104 PRE-OBDII D-280-94 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 98135 PRE-OBDII D-280-94 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Airtek, Inc. 88894 PRE-OBDII D-280-98 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 39034 PRE-OBDII D-193-85 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 39918 PRE-OBDII D-193-85 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 39958 PRE-OBDII D-193-85 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 339034 PRE-OBDII D-193-105 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 339918 PRE-OBDII D-193-105 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. 339958 PRE-OBDII D-193-105 T-1 1 Underbody DIRECT FIT
N/A ALL Eastern Manufacturing Inc. 863010 PRE-OBDII D-665-2 T-1 1 Underbody UNIVERSAL
_________________
1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia
@peanutbutterwestytime

[Marcq]

The thing I don't understand, when the cat was replaced in 2014, it was from a garage in LA Herbie's Autohaus specialize in German and Japanese car, why would they install a cat that's not legal/approved ?

Marc..

[termuehlen]

[r39o]

[Marcq]

[RCB]

My understanding is that if the cat is; not one of the newer and improved and expensive models BUT has been on there for years, there is no reason to not pass it as long as it passes the smog requirements.

I have a Grand Fathered cat on my 82 Westy and its been on there for years and years and years, AND every other year I pass all smog checks with flying colors. When the cat finally does crap out I will then need to purchase the newer CARB approved cats ( $$$), BUT until then, as long as I pass all tests, it will remain where it is.

On a side note, the smog shop Ive been going to for 10 years, does not even do the leak down test and they only charges $49.75 to smog my Westy. That's with a $ 10.00 coupon that they regularly run.

There are reasons that a smog shop that is accustomed to testing Vanagons WONT do the pressure test so try and find one that's familiar with these vehicles.

Good luck Marc, its a headache dealing with the uncertainty of passing smog, but dealing with clean air is something we all need to live with.

[davevickery]

I think he just has to get a new cat now. I can't imagine another smog shop is going to pass it after it was indentified and noted as tampered.

Van-cafe sells the right Cat and it works great. The only thing I would try to do is guilt the shop that put that Cat on, to take care of it.