Suspicious Smog Check Dude?

La Zona ImageryLa Zona Imagery New Wagonist
in General Civic Wagon Discussion
Does this sound shady? I went to have my wagon smoged check today because i sold my wagon and wanted to give the buyer a new smog check. The technician did a "pre-check". Then he said he is unsure if it will pass or fail. So he lifted the car and started touching around the catalytic converter. So after that he did the test, and it failed! Then he said I needed a new cat and it would cost $450. WTF! I just had this wagon tested last November and it passed with flying colors, way below the emissions limits.

Comments

  • spinoutspinout Band Wagon
    A pre check is a dry run of the smog check. Doesn't get sent to the state. Not usually performed unless you ask for it though. Honestly, the aftermarket catalytic converters suck and the OEM ones are wearing out by now. $450 is a lot. A universal, smog legal one from O'Reillys is $120 if you have a resale account with them and a muffler shop shouldn't charge more than an hour to install it. But it'll go out again. Protip: Smog, remove cat, and replace with test pipe, then reinstall cat for next smog. Never drive around with a good cat.
  • jb2wheelsjb2wheels Wagonist
    If you really need a cat, buy a Walker cat from Rock Auto for under $200. It's a bolt on replacement. Looks like it's CA legal.
    Spend an hour under the car changing it.

    I have one on my 90 FWD wagon. I've had it on there for 5+ years. I paid a bit less for it (closer to $100). Never an issue passing emissions.
    My original was melted due to timing/fueling/misfire issues and would not pass smog check. I actually pulled it off and checked before buying a new one.
    Not sure how different TX smog checks are vs CA except my car just aged out of smog checks here ...

    Not sure what someone would do to cause your car to fail. Can you get a 2nd opinion?
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    That sounds fishy as all hell. Did he show you the numbers on it?

    Also I assume he was saying that it was $450 and they could install it for you?

    Do you still have the numbers from the previous check?

    Also, just as an FYI, it could have been the previous place fudging the numbers. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/25/local/la-me-smogtest25-2010feb25

    p.s. get out of California =D
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