Failed Smog for '96 Toyota Avalon (Thousand Oaks: appointed, transfer, buy)
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I purchased my car from a private owner in February and the check engine light was on. I started the process of getting tags and license plates but I need to pass the smog test first. I was told that the previous owner did not pass the smog test but it was a simple fix to the solenoids it would cost about $180 to repair that would make the check engine light turn off and then I would easily pass the smog test. He said he had also just replaced the CAT himself. I am a trusting person so I took him at his word. I took the car to the repair shop and he replaced all 3 solenoids. However while he was inspecting the car he noticed that the CV axel under the drivers side was about to go out. So I had to replace that as well. After all these fixes my check engine light was still on. The code that was coming up was 'po773'. My mechanic told me to take it to a transmission specialist. The fist one I took the car to drove the car and looked around the engine he said he personally thought there was nothing wrong. The second transmission shop did some tests and did everything he could without taking the transmission out. He found no way to help me unless he would go in depth into the transmission which would cost at least $1500 in labor alone plus whatever other costs came about. Because I have very little money I told him thanks but no thanks. So I continued to drive my car and one morning I went to start it and for some reason the check engine light wasn't on! I immediately drove the car on city streets and highways for about 45min. I went to the smog check place and never turned off my car. So I'm sitting there thinking OMG I am finally going to be able to have a legally registered car! Nope dream crushed! The smog check man showed me the print out and I failed because of my HC (PPM). The MAX is 52, AVE is 9, My Measurement is 64. I nearly started crying. I went to a gas pump after and turned off my car. When I turned my car on again the check engine light immediately came back on. I have put a lot of money into this car already and I am tired of being disappointed. I need help! I'm a young woman who knows very little about cars. so every time I take my car to a mechanic they know they can sell me on stuff I don't really need. I need an honest opinion that will truly help me pass the smog test. My car has a registration from Dec '12 so my car is now very illegal to drive around and the police could tow it at any time if they so please. I can't lose my car! PLEASE, ANY SUGGESTIONS?
I purchased my car from a private owner in February and the check engine light was on. I started the process of getting tags and license plates but I need to pass the smog test first. I was told that the previous owner did not pass the smog test but it was a simple fix to the solenoids it would cost about $180 to repair that would make the check engine light turn off and then I would easily pass the smog test. He said he had also just replaced the CAT himself. I am a trusting person so I took him at his word. I took the car to the repair shop and he replaced all 3 solenoids. However while he was inspecting the car he noticed that the CV axel under the drivers side was about to go out. So I had to replace that as well. After all these fixes my check engine light was still on. The code that was coming up was 'po773'. My mechanic told me to take it to a transmission specialist. The fist one I took the car to drove the car and looked around the engine he said he personally thought there was nothing wrong. The second transmission shop did some tests and did everything he could without taking the transmission out. He found no way to help me unless he would go in depth into the transmission which would cost at least $1500 in labor alone plus whatever other costs came about. Because I have very little money I told him thanks but no thanks. So I continued to drive my car and one morning I went to start it and for some reason the check engine light wasn't on! I immediately drove the car on city streets and highways for about 45min. I went to the smog check place and never turned off my car. So I'm sitting there thinking OMG I am finally going to be able to have a legally registered car! Nope dream crushed! The smog check man showed me the print out and I failed because of my HC (PPM). The MAX is 52, AVE is 9, My Measurement is 64. I nearly started crying. I went to a gas pump after and turned off my car. When I turned my car on again the check engine light immediately came back on. I have put a lot of money into this car already and I am tired of being disappointed. I need help! I'm a young woman who knows very little about cars. so every time I take my car to a mechanic they know they can sell me on stuff I don't really need. I need an honest opinion that will truly help me pass the smog test. My car has a registration from Dec '12 so my car is now very illegal to drive around and the police could tow it at any time if they so please. I can't lose my car! PLEASE, ANY SUGGESTIONS?
The HC is basically unburned fuel caused by
Improper timing/Defective ignition system
Lean fuel mixture
Low compression
Defective catalytic converter
Defective AIR system ( if equipped)
Just so you know in California the seller is responsible for smog check at the time of the sale. I don't even bother looking at a car if the seller won't smog it before title transfer. Your post is one of the reasons why I pass on those vehicles. I made the same mistake you did early on when I was young. Once. That's all it took. I won't even buy a car if the title is missing or the registered owner is not the guy that is selling it. No matter how good a deal is.
You have a few options
Pay and repair the vehicle then pass smog and register it. ( most likely what will happen)
Call seller and explain that you cannot pass smog and the vehicle CANNOT have a ownership transfer. As he is responsible for passing smog he can either pay for the repair, or buy the vehicle back. Sounds like he's a craphead so you'll get hung up on.
You can always take him to court and try to get the law to agree with you and force a buy back. But even if you win in court getting him to pay may take dragging him in court a few times.
Last edited by Electrician4you; 06-02-2014 at 10:45 PM..
I purchased my car from a private owner in February and the check engine light was on. I started the process of getting tags and license plates but I need to pass the smog test first. I was told that the previous owner did not pass the smog test but it was a simple fix to the solenoids it would cost about $180 to repair that would make the check engine light turn off and then I would easily pass the smog test. He said he had also just replaced the CAT himself. I am a trusting person so I took him at his word. I took the car to the repair shop and he replaced all 3 solenoids. However while he was inspecting the car he noticed that the CV axel under the drivers side was about to go out. So I had to replace that as well. After all these fixes my check engine light was still on. The code that was coming up was 'po773'. My mechanic told me to take it to a transmission specialist. The fist one I took the car to drove the car and looked around the engine he said he personally thought there was nothing wrong. The second transmission shop did some tests and did everything he could without taking the transmission out. He found no way to help me unless he would go in depth into the transmission which would cost at least $1500 in labor alone plus whatever other costs came about. Because I have very little money I told him thanks but no thanks. So I continued to drive my car and one morning I went to start it and for some reason the check engine light wasn't on! I immediately drove the car on city streets and highways for about 45min. I went to the smog check place and never turned off my car. So I'm sitting there thinking OMG I am finally going to be able to have a legally registered car! Nope dream crushed! The smog check man showed me the print out and I failed because of my HC (PPM). The MAX is 52, AVE is 9, My Measurement is 64. I nearly started crying. I went to a gas pump after and turned off my car. When I turned my car on again the check engine light immediately came back on. I have put a lot of money into this car already and I am tired of being disappointed. I need help! I'm a young woman who knows very little about cars. so every time I take my car to a mechanic they know they can sell me on stuff I don't really need. I need an honest opinion that will truly help me pass the smog test. My car has a registration from Dec '12 so my car is now very illegal to drive around and the police could tow it at any time if they so please. I can't lose my car! PLEASE, ANY SUGGESTIONS?
First let me say this next process will work on any make car . After being told your car did not pass or for that matter before you go for your test with an older car 2006 and before, go to any auto parts store and get a can of " Sea Foam" ! it's a fuel system cleaner, ( you can add it to your fuel once a month) while you have a friend hold the engine idle to about 3,000 rpms, disconnect the vacuum line ( Big Black 1/2 dia. hose) to the power brake under the hood, then with the engine idling at 3,000 pour in the liquid( put the full pt. can in ) you will notice the engine start to smoke really bad , don't worry, keep pouring the liquid . Once the can is empty turn off the engine and wait 30 min. ( that lets the liquid melt all the carbon in the system). 30 min. later start the engine rev the engine again to 3,000 rpms and run like this until the smoking stops . It could take as long as 340 to 45 min. now you are ready to get and pass your smog test. I have done this to many of my friends car that failed the first time, and passed with flying colors the 2nd time without replacing ox censors or converters. Best part is it only cost $10.00 and a few min. of "your" time .
The HC is basically unburned fuel caused by
Improper timing/Defective ignition system
Lean fuel mixture
Low compression
Defective catalytic converter
Defective AIR system ( if equipped)
Just so you know in California the seller is responsible for smog check at the time of the sale. I don't even bother looking at a car if the seller won't smog it before title transfer. Your post is one of the reasons why I pass on those vehicles. I made the same mistake you did early on when I was young. Once. That's all it took. I won't even buy a car if the title is missing or the registered owner is not the guy that is selling it. No matter how good a deal is.
You have a few options
Pay and repair the vehicle then pass smog and register it. ( most likely what will happen)
Call seller and explain that you cannot pass smog and the vehicle CANNOT have a ownership transfer. As he is responsible for passing smog he can either pay for the repair, or buy the vehicle back. Sounds like he's a craphead so you'll get hung up on.
You can always take him to court and try to get the law to agree with you and force a buy back. But even if you win in court getting him to pay may take dragging him in court a few times.
Excellent advice from this poster. This is a mistake you will only make once!! I enjoy fixing car problems on occasion but the problem here is that you're working against the clock because you need to get your car registered!
A few additional points. A lean fuel burn can be caused by clogged fuel injectors/fuel filter, weak fuel pump and the big one, a vacuum leak. But low compression is usually just sign of a worn engine with very high mileage or (most likely) just wasn't cared for properly. The sea foam mentioned is designed to clean the catalytic convertor if that's indeed the problem. Hard to say really without looking at real time engine data. It could be that your problem is very basic and easy to fix with the right knowledge.
But you have essentially two problems: the HC failure and the OBDII engine error code. Your mechanic said he changed the solenoids, but the code came back. Maybe he just reset the light and charged you for doing nothing. Take it back to him and say the error light is back and he was paid to fix it. I know a good mechanic in Thousand Oaks if you're interested.
There is one more thing - I have always heard stories of people who paid smog testers off to pass the test. I have never tried it, nor do I recommend it, but some people say they do it and I'll leave it at that.
First let me say this next process will work on any make car . After being told your car did not pass or for that matter before you go for your test with an older car 2006 and before, go to any auto parts store and get a can of " Sea Foam" ! it's a fuel system cleaner, ( you can add it to your fuel once a month) while you have a friend hold the engine idle to about 3,000 rpms, disconnect the vacuum line ( Big Black 1/2 dia. hose) to the power brake under the hood, then with the engine idling at 3,000 pour in the liquid( put the full pt. can in ) you will notice the engine start to smoke really bad , don't worry, keep pouring the liquid . Once the can is empty turn off the engine and wait 30 min. ( that lets the liquid melt all the carbon in the system). 30 min. later start the engine rev the engine again to 3,000 rpms and run like this until the smoking stops . It could take as long as 340 to 45 min. now you are ready to get and pass your smog test. I have done this to many of my friends car that failed the first time, and passed with flying colors the 2nd time without replacing ox censors or converters. Best part is it only cost $10.00 and a few min. of "your" time .
This could work if it's the cat, but it might be burning lean in which case there could be other issues.
This could work if it's the cat, but it might be burning lean in which case there could be other issues.
Again ...... Dirty injectors....."Sea Foam treatment. Dirty OC sensors ..... "Sea Foam treatment, Dirty cat or blocked cat. ....... "Sea foam treatment . For the cost or the produce and a few minutes of your time for the treatment, it beats taking it to a shop and paying for something you don't know was actually done or needed. as I said earlier , I have seen many cars that failed passed with flying colors after the process.
Again ...... Dirty injectors....."Sea Foam treatment. Dirty OC sensors ..... "Sea Foam treatment, Dirty cat or blocked cat. ....... "Sea foam treatment . For the cost or the produce and a few minutes of your time for the treatment, it beats taking it to a shop and paying for something you don't know was actually done or needed. as I said earlier , I have seen many cars that failed passed with flying colors after the process.
Yes, maybe for dirty injectors but vacuum leaks (gaskets and torn hoses), clogged fuel filter or a soft failure of the fuel pump can all cause a lean burn condition as well.
Yes, maybe for dirty injectors but vacuum leaks (gaskets and torn hoses), clogged fuel filter or a soft failure of the fuel pump can all cause a lean burn condition as well.
Well you have to start some where.
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