Subi Conversion CA BAR Inspection

[nacradriver]

Hi,

I am going for my B.A.R. inspection this coming Tuesday for my 2.2 conversion. I was going to do it a while back, but things got in the way...

With that, outside of a normal smog inspection what are they going to be looking for. And, are they going to grill me on my work, etc.. the way the building inspector did when I did some electrical work at my house..

I did the KEP conversion and followed it to the letter with the exception of the cooling system, but I don't think that is going to be a concern...

Also, this is at Oxnard College, anyone have experience with them?

Thanks
_________________
Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985

[Jon_slider]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3848413&highlight=manual#3848413

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4714358&highlight=manual#4714358
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

[nacradriver]

Thanks Jon.... appreciate your sharing...

John
_________________
Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985

[16CVs]

Ah, A subject dear to my heart. If you have a KEP sticker save your time and effort and just to go a SMOG facility and show them the sticker. As long as your Cat is compliant and your Vacuum system and Charcoal canister is properly hooked up a normal shop can do it for you. You may have to try 4 or 5 to get them to do it.
I did the same dance you are doing right now and my Referee said that coming to him was not needed because of the executive order.
The referee is for Non EO conversions or for vehicles with obsolete parts. I am curious to hear of your outcome. I went in knowing what I know and hoping to get a Bar code sticker and was told point blank, that conversions with an OE will never get a bar code. My Ref didn't even look for a CEL because it is not required.
Keep us informed, I'd like to know if something changes.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Jon_slider]

[16CVs]

Jon

How long ago was it that you got your Bar Code? My Ref even called his immediate supervisor and was told Subaru/VW/KEP No BAR code. He was a super cool guy and I felt he had my best interest at heart. He also said that if after 4-5 shops turn me down for a Test to then bring back a Written Work Order from a Smog shop that they Will/Can not Smog an Non Compliant vehicle to bring it to a Ref and they will then do it.
I am dying for my upcoming Bi yearly test to go to a shop for a Smog Test and force the issue with them that my vehicle is a compliant van.
If that guy from Ventura gets a Bar Code, I will be driving my van to that Ref and getting mine as well. My good friend from Santa Cruz and one from Los Altos has had exactly the same experience as me.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[nacradriver]

[Jon_slider]

[16CVs]

Jon

I totally agree with you that a sticker is a great thing to have. I went in to the Ref loaded for bear. I had the same diagram as you have from the same person. I had a copy of the EO and a link to KEP which shows the proper Cat. I had no codes in memory and a functioning CEL. I took mine to a Smog guy I know and had him do a Pretest, and he found I had a Vacuum line reversed. I feel that was money well spent. My smog guy who I know really would not smog it for me. After I left the Ref I went and saw him and explained what I was told, he then did some research and called some hotline and they told him it was OK to Test a VW/Subaru/KEP.
Mr Naca, I agree with Jon about keeping your appointment with the Ref. But I would go and try 4-7 shops and see if they will test it. If they won't get a receipt from one stating why they will not do it. Go there with as much documentation as you can. Make sure your Sticker is mounted and you have a 58834 cat.
This is what I was told by a few Suby conversion guys, but I had to find out for myself. It took me 3 weeks to get an appointment
I wait with baited breath.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Jon_slider]

[16CVs]

Jon

If this guy gets a BAR sticker, I'll owe you a Hot Dog with Chili at this years Syncrofest.
I would think that if you tried to pull a fast one one on a Smog guy he would be less then inclined to try and help you do it legally.
I guess you could try it a couple of times at different shops and then just fess up from the beginning. I would try a Repair shop that does smogs as opposed to a Test only station. And even better would be a shop where they work on older vehicles as they will be more apt to listen and spend some to verify its legitimate.
I am curious to see how this plays out.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Jon_slider]

[nacradriver]

[radams]

I had my Kennedy conversion done up in the bay area back in 2010, and right after, took it to a smog test shop in Ventura and it passed no problem. The tech even commented on the conversion and how clean the exhaust smelled.
Roll forward to 2016, and everyone is now demanding that I see a referee and get a BAR sticker. I have gone to three smog test locations here in Ventura and all I can say is that they must be fearing fines or liability. Something must have happened between 2014 and 2016. Let me know how your inspection goes or if you find a smog test location that will test a vanagon with a subaru engine

[16CVs]

Perfect

Go to a few more shops and jot down their names and the techs names after they tell you no and go and see a ref.
According to my Ref, they will test your vehicle if they shops won't. If enough people keep getting turned down, then the Refs are going to be your best friend in helping to get a Bar Code.
My van comes up in October and I cam't wait to go and see what I am told. One side of me wants them to do be able to do it, and the other half wants me to get jerked around and sent to the ref so that I can plead my case for a Bar code.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[16CVs]

So what's the news?

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Jon_slider]

[nacradriver]

Ok…

So here are some numbers for those of you that are having problems with getting you van through smog with out the coveted white sticker.

C.A.R.B. 1-800-242-4450

I called them and as stated, the Kennedy EO only makes the conversion a legal conversion with the parts they have certified… and does not necessarily mean that gets a clearance from BAR. BAR still has the determination to say what does and doesn’t need an inspection.

Bureau of Automotive Repair 1-800-952-5210 ask for Marvin.. Pretty nice guy!

As Marvin said; there should be no problem with the C.A.R.B. EO-248-2 and the smog shops should be OK with this.. But, and there is always a but, some shops taking the easiest path of resistance may chose not to inspect it. The smog shops should be versed on the EO parts. He did note that if you have a problem have them call their BAR contact… or Marvin. But again, even though the shouldn't they can refuse the inspection.

Should you strike out... as noted here by Jon and repeated by Marvin, before you schedule an appointment with the referee, you’ll need to go to three stations and get turned down… From there, you’ll need to go to the referee to which they will inspect the van and pass it… white sticker. If everything is there and works and they don’t pass it, or chose not inspect then you’ll need to call Marvin at the number above to get their office involved.
_________________
Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985

[Jon_slider]

great!
now Show Me the Sticker!

the title of the thread made me think you were on your way to get your bar code sticker.. do it!!!!

youve done a very good job of sharing How you are going to do it

the suspense is killing me..

did you pass

did you pass yet

did you get the sticker

can you show me the sticker

did you go see the referee yet

come on, Ive got a bet on a dog going, and Ive only got til May to pay up or collect
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

[nacradriver]