CA Smog :-(

Yeah here in Tuolumne county we're only required to smog on change of ownership. And no smog if ownership is exchanged between familiy members.

Lots of "faimly" here .

 

One other thing is does your exhaust smell rich or foul or normal?

I had one of my four cats (2 pre and 2 regular) welds came apart and it was smelling bad, I had it replaced for $450 when really I just needed it welded back together.
It may be that one cat is bad.

EDIT:
from the supplied link above:
"At any rate, after 17 years the Bank 1 Sensor 1, and Bank 1 Sensor 2 O2 sensors are likely ready for replacement.

The before Cat sensor will affect your MPG, the after cat sensor monitors the Cat, and can give the "Cat Not Ready" code. The Cat can be fine, and you'll still get the "Not Ready", just due to a worn out sensor.

The Cat could be bad, but I'd try replacing the sensor first. That often solves the problem, and is a lot cheaper than a new Cat.

Just a word of advice, pulling the EFI fuse, or disconnecting the battery temporarily, will reset the ECU. You will then have to complete a drive cycle that satisfies each of the various systems, before those systems will show as "Ready".

So don't pull the EFI fuse, or disconnect the battery, and then drive directly to have an emissions test. You will likely fail due to various systems showing "Not Ready"."

 

It sounds to me like the OP's issue is more of an issue with the visual inspection, not the sniff test. You could take both cats off and these trucks will probably throw less crap out the back than many other cars I see on the road today.

It's the visual inspection (no error codes, must have all the right "stickers" etc...) that kill most of us.

 

No codes
no weird smell no smoke nothing
I had my girfriend drive it up a hill hauling ass while I followed in my Subaru and there was no smell or anything weird.

 

Good thing my parents still live in Sonora...

 

Yea this is for transfer of ownership.
I took the truck in a trade knowing it needed work.

I I need Cat cleaner do you supose my cat is on its way out?

 

in this post there are options for a different smog tester using the OBD-II instead of the older style. not sure if this affects your outcome or not.

https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalyst-monitor-not-ready-but-no-trouble-codes/89066/13

also in the 4runner post you could always try the referee approach?

 

You notice the guy in the first link (64Impala) user name.

Down toward the bottom that post he used a can of the CATACLEAN stuff and it made his car pass
I was reading that today. Thats my next step..

 

Going to the smog place after work
My Catalyst monitor has finaly rest it's self after a year of messing with the truck I think replacin gthe rear O2 was the trick.


No CEL at all
Evap monitor not ready but 2000 and newer that's ok
I do have one code stored the P0770 torque converter lock up. I really hope it will pass. I have been at this for a year. Wish me luck

 

Did you ever run that catclean stuff? Just curious to see if it actually worked or not.

Also good luck!

 

No I did not. I was going to order it Friday (payday) im that poor.

Hopfully I wont need it.

 

you "should" be ok with the TQ code.

 

I hope so.

But this is California.............

 

There are ways to "reset" it but other potential issues with doing it.

 

Yea
I could reset then drive around till all the monitors are ready but I'm going try it today
If he wont pass it then I will reset and try agian
At least the Catalyst monitor is doing its part now that I replaced the O2

 

I hope it all works out. Curious to see how this turns out.

 

Thank you

I just spoke with the smog guy and he said I should be good

I will report back here with results tomorrow morning............ Fingers crossed

 

Wooot woot woot
The truck passed smog!!!!!!!!
O2 sensor, new plugs, wires, beer.
I still have the p0770 code but that didn't matter for smog.
I'm so happy. Lol