I have been ill so have a 500 SEC with a incomplete registration awaiting a smog. All I can get from DMV is a ONE day permit to move for smog repairs.

Took it to a smog after not using it for a year & it failed high in NO.

Waiting for smog repair station to call me as the owner who is not usually available is only one experienced with getting the older car repaired to pass.

It passed 2 years ago & has not been touched since then so not sure what happened while not driving it to cause it to fail.

As if this wasn't bad enough now I noticed the odometer has not been working since I reset it a few days ago when I got gas!

I'm so upset. I can only deal w one issue at a time as I only have one day to use the car. I am supposed to fill in the date myself but I kept it blank the day it failed smog & luckily got home without incident ready to fill in date quickly if pulled over.

I'm thinking I have to deal with smog issue first so I can get it registered & legally operate it. I am concerned the smog shop is going to catch that the mileage has not changed since the failed smog last week. Do you think they will let it slide or are they obligated to report it?

The mileage is on the failed smog report so was that electronically submitted to DMV?

I just don't know what to do or where to start.

I see NH Speedometer fixes odometers & thinking about getting that fixed there as I'm thinking a automobile repair service station will likely want to replace the entire cluster. Odometer had been working fine up until last reset. Everything else on cluster seems to work fine.

North Hollywood Speedometer | NH Speedometer

I'm low on funds & really want to keep the car on the road. Can't even sell it in CA without a smog certificate so really stuck!


Went to Kartek automotive in N Hollywood for smog
Kar Tek Auto repair mechanics in North Hollywood, CA

Also considering SNAP auto N Hollywood. Valley Village
Snap Complete Auto Repair and STAR Smog; Serving North Hollywood, Valley Village, Studio City, Sherman Oaks,* Smog Check, Inspection, Complete Repair, Oil Changes, Engine, Transmission, Clutch, Starters, Alternators, Radiators, Tires, Belts, Hoses,

My other problem is the car is not registered & with a one day moving permit it makes it hard to get repairs done

Any advise would be appreciated & I am looking for shops in the North Hollywood area as I am unable to do repairs.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Odometer Gears - WELCOME $80 and they are fixed. No big deal, I have broken many with the trip reset.



NOx too high? Usually means too lean from memory. Is the fuel still one year old? Any stabilizing agent in it to keep it from turning?

Search for a guy named 'Duke2.6' I think regarding emission stuff, PILES of information to read.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Thanks,

Great question.
Car had about half a tank of gas. I filled it up when I reset the odometer. I am so sorry I reset it now as it was working & trip odometer had about 80 miles on it.

I tried resetting the trip odometer a few times thinking it was stuck not seeing any miles but wasn't sure as only used it about 5 miles. I had not yet realized main odometer also was stuck

Noticed main odometer was not working when I noticed it registered same mileage listed on smog test.

Gas is very likely half a tank 1 yo plus gas & can't really recall if I added anything.
Only thing I ever add is Chevron Techron fuel cleaner additive & its been so long since I used the car I don't know if there is any of it in the old gas.

Added 12 .2 gal gas & tank is pretty much full so hate to have to have someone drain it.

The car passed 2 1/2 years ago & nothing has been changed except it was not used over a year & yes half a tank is old gas.

Also is idling higher than it used to so not sure why.

Thanks

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Been checking over Duke2.6 posts.

Sort of upset I had a long wait for the smog. I had the car idling in park (1500 rev)for about 20 minutes. It was getting hot. I finally shut it down (my mistake). Took another 15 minutes or so for tech to bring it in. Then he proceeded to check it over for what seemed like 15 minutes with it off. Don't know what the heck he was looking at or doing that time. All this time passed before he finally did the test.

This did not go well at all.

NO was bad. I don't have it as its in the car but about 1000 over max

Older smogs
2011

Attached Thumbnails

 

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Camalot ,this is a very nice car .Hope all works out for you .

Your last test barely passed NOx and O2 is very high indicating the converter was on the cool side. Given that I'm surprised HC and CO are so low. As you've likely seen in my various posts on emission testing you want to get it tested as soon as you drive in. Pick a time when there is no line and NEVER, EVER shut the engine down.

The tech should let the car idle while doing the visual check. These guys should know better. Talk to the manager or find another test station.

Assuming your engine has the R16/1 resistor, shorting the connector and plugging the vacuum advance signal line should do the trick.

Duke

Thanks, I'm getting upset about how this last smog test was conducted.
I'll have to get the results from the car & post them.
This is the same shop that passed her 2 years ago.
The NOx barely passed in 2013 also. I did not see the car smogged that time.

I went to this smog as they got the car to pass 2 years ago & seemed to know what they were doing. I checked & they have the same smog tech name. Nothing but time & unused have happened to the car since the last smog but I have noticed it idles higher in both P & D now. Guess whatever is causing that could be a factor.

They got me as a gross polluter now & I know that's not good.

I thought I could trust them but I might have to find another smog station.

I'm sorry but I know nothing about a resistor & am technically unable.



Thanks for the advise!

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Why be upset? You are dealing with passing a car never made for emissions testing. I went around and around with this on my E23 745i BMW. They idle a touch rich (14:1 area +/- 0.3) and cruise lean in the mid 15s from the factory.



Time to learn a bit about the car if you really plan to keep it. Guys that worked on these 30 years ago are very difficult to find as they will be 60+ by now.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Smog test report

15 mph 1357 rpm
CO 14.0
O2 1
HC 68 /max 122 pass
CO .01 /max .91 pass
NO 2233 /max 1074 fail gross polluter

25mph 1328 rpm
CO 14.1
O2 .9
HC 62 /max 95 pass
CO .01 /max .71 pass
NO 2572 /max 904 fail gross polluter

Went to another smog repair station & guy wanted 2 hours $200 to access it.
He's not that old but said he used to work on these car & can do it blindfolded?
Still he was not thrilled about doing the car says its a pain & he's busy.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Its a euro too!
Enrique said maybe I can beg the bar to do a waiver as its a euro.

I am somewhat familiar with the car & did some work myself.
Vacuum hoses, rotor & dis cap.
Last I checked egr was working & Enrique also said it was working.

Problem is these cars has a electronic idle valve. Somewhere in its history
someone replaced it with a manual air slide idle valve. Thinking this does not help matters.

I'm trying but I am at my limits technically. I am a small women who is not that well. I am also financially challenged big time.

I am "upset" as its sad.
I have been putting off the thought but I guess I will have to realize there will be a time where I can't keep it on the road & it sad because right now its all smog crap.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Sounds like a jerkoff to me. Save your time, frustration, and money.

Meaning he wants to take your $200 and give you the run around. He should have been able to check the smog report and explain what is causing the issue and how he will repair the car accordingly to fix the issue if he is such a wizard with the CIS system.

High NOx is too lean of a mixture. Throw a this car on a CO machine and see what is coming out the back end...or better yet a wideband O2. Did your car come with EGR? If so, it is very common for the tube from the EGR valve into the intake plenum to be plugged shut elevating NOx levels. When I resealed the top end on my 560SEL, the tube was plugged shut at 150,000 miles. Your car is nearly ten years older.



Duke2.6 is near you, I suggest you speak with him directly and perhaps offer him money. I have never seen anyone know so much about emission testing.

Early CIS vs late is basically the same, but you should have a warm up regulator if I recall from my '80 380SE (euro model) as the major difference.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Darn, I was hoping to find a mechanic who could work on my old beast but I thought it was kind of arrogant of him to profess he could work on these cars blindfolded.
This was Snap Auto http://snapsmog.com/ The place is small with no place to park & its full of cars he's selling as its also a used car dealer. I went there as he's a bar approved cap repair station & usually you can trust them.

He also gave me the if I went to a MB dealer they would charge me $800 to look at it. Then he mentioned fuel injectors! OOOhhhh
I have a new set of 8 ready but hate to hear someone pull that up for argument. Also I asked if my cat was hot enough as the car was down for about half an hour & he came back with some comment I can't remember.

It gas a egr valve & I checked it according to some posts I read & it seemed to be working. Also my old MB mechanic also said it was working. I replaced the rubber hose to the egr valve as mine was cracked & sucking off the tubing so it should be ok

Has a warm up regulator but don't think that shouldn't affect smog.

I guess I have some time. Incomplete registration is good til June. I'll just have to get another 1 day permit to move it & hope in the meantime to find someone to work on it.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

A woman with 1100 posts and does not work on the car. With that many post you should have rebuilt the car twice by now !!!

I go through all this smog crap, and know all about it...The dealers(99%) do not work on old cars, nor is it in their interest as half the parts are discontinued. If the dealer cannot get a code, they are dumb founded. They do not even want to deal with the early W220's/W215's/R230's of 2000.

Really it is time to get to know your car, and read those yelp reviews to kind guide you in a certain direction... with these smog testing shops-some are pricks-some are genuine real people that help the human kind..Find a indie shop that will not charge you ahead of time. Look at what they have in the yard...You find a place tha knows the old SL's that will be your place as the SL crowd pay to restore their cars. Everyone else is the blue collar crowd look for cool benz, but cannot afford to have their car serviced

Time to get on google search for "how to pass a California smog". I thought I saw a post somewhere here where the tank was partially filled with E85 and something else...
Because that is the salvation to pass smog every two years.....or no car....

Martin

Looking over my last 2 smogs

2016 Smog test report Fail 198,276 miles

15 mph 1357 rpm
CO 14.0
O2 1
HC 68 /max 122 pass well
CO .01 /max .91 pass great
NO 2233 /max 1074 fail gross polluter

25mph 1328 rpm
CO 14.1
O2 .9
HC 62 /max 95 pass
CO .01 /max .71 pass
NO 2572 /max 904 fail gross polluter

2013 Pass Smog test report 198,196 miles

15 mph 1411 rpm
CO 14.6
O2 .3
HC 114 /max 122 barely pass
CO .06 /max .91 pass great
NO 1070 /max 1074 barely pass

25mph 1342 rpm
CO 14.7
O2 .1
HC 87 /max 95 barely pass
CO .06 /max .71 pass great
NO 634 /max 904 pass ok

Mileage between smogs in over 2 years is less than 100 miles & its actually doing better now in HC & CO.
Just something really off with NO which it barely passed at 15 mph last last time but didn't do too bad at 25mph.

All in all it was doing pretty good but now is a gross polluter in NO.
Half old gas with possibly some techron fuel injector cleaner? Oil has 400 city mileage? Maybe a vacuum leak?

Maybe I can pay a mechanic or someone trustable to drive it on the highway?


Was hoping the owner of Kartek who got my car to pass 2 years ago would take a look at it but they left me a message telling me he's not handling these cars anymore & that I should find someone else to fix it.

All I have so far is a guy who wants $200 min to look at it from Snapsmog. He wants it left there a few days so he can take his time. I don't like his small unsecure open lot. He says he's familiar with the old benzes & can fix them blindfolded but he's not that old.

I have been researching other CA state approved cap repair stations. I called a few & might be checking them out in person first for more inspection.

AYA Smog said come in tomorrow. I don't know if I will or not as DNA Smog recommended I use up the old gas before I have it checked out. I like that he didn't just call me in to make some money.

I'm seriously thinking I need to get someone to syphon out most of the gas. It's running well
but it is half a tank 2 1/2 yo gas with possible a small portion of techron fuel system cleaner.
I don't know how much this could effect emissions.

I have about 20 gallons of premium to dispose of. $60 worth of gas.

Any advice on how to do this? Maybe get someone who wants the gas to syphon it out 5 gallons at a time or directly into there tank?

Thanks in advance as any help is appreciated

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Camalot .I am thinking about you , and i do hope you get this nice car up and out of the smog bracket . Let us know how you get on please.