Cali Diesel Emissions? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ChinaClipper · #1 09-08-2011, 03:40 PM

Anyone know of a good source of info to determine what, if anything, was required to get California Emissions for MB Diesels? Looking at various swap options and ALL swaps must be FROM a car that was originally certified as a Cali compliant vehicle. The FSM's are a bit fuzzy, any info? BTW nothing really available from the CARB or any other Government resources that I can find...looking specifically at 87 W201 gas to diesel n/a 2.5 and a W114 to OM617.910 Thanks!

sixto · #2 09-08-2011, 03:53 PM

I've yet to find someone who's successfully registered a conversion. The closest I found is the friend of compu_85 who converted a late model Jetta then brought it post conversion to California. IIRC there was a requirement to have VW confirm the ECU part/serial number as valid for the stated year model and the aftermarket cat had be replaced with a California certified cat. With that precedent, get out of state hosts for your conversions and register them after conversion.

Certifying a '75 or earlier W114 would be a matter of conscience since it wouldn't be subject to emission inspections. I presume you mean a W114 coupe since W115 sedans with 617s are available. Easier to hang W114 niceties on a W115 than swap the engine.

Sixto
87 300D

epowers777 · #3 09-08-2011, 04:22 PM

The diesel engine has to be newer than the car. When you take it to a ref you can't have the check engine light on or none at all. It has to cycle at start up. People will take the light and put it on a timer on start up. Also smog legal cat. Ask a ref station they are happy to help you. You can do that to any engine gas or diesel as long as it is newer than the car. Sooooo you can't put an old 81 5 cylinder in a 90 w124. Talk to a ref!!

ChinaClipper · #4 09-08-2011, 04:56 PM

In Cali, model 75 and earlier are smog exempt, 76 and later can swap under these conditions 1) The donor engine must be from the same "class" no truck to car. 2) Must have been Cali emissions certified, no 49 state donor cars! 3) Must have all the said emissions equipment installed, hence the question; Where are the "California" emissions info found? I have been told that the donor VIN# is VERY important and the under hood emissions stickers are what can make it happen. As a Cali resident, I can assure you that the answer to EVERY question posed to a government worker is NO, unless a specific yes can be issued! BTW The W114 is a 76 that is SPOTLESS, and has all the options, sunroof,leather etc. Otherwise I wouldn't bother. The 87 is a W124 Gasser with a W201 2.5 n/a donor.

Chadahar · #5 09-08-2011, 05:49 PM

There are no smogging of diesels prior to 1998 in CA.. 1998 and newer diesels must be smogged. Earlier ones are not smogged. Moot point! The 1975 smog date is for Gassers only!

If the w114 is already a CA car, fully registered, then do as some have done. Just do the swap and go on. I know of one shop that has a 300SD that had a 500 or 560 swapped into it and it is forever smog free because it is a diesel by registration and VIN.
Not saying this is a legal approach, or condoning such action, but I know it has been done by more than one person.

ChinaClipper · #6 09-08-2011, 06:10 PM

the exemption for diesel smog only applies if the diesel you put in was ORIGINALLY CERTIFIED to be sold in Cali. Certified and smog testing are different things. You cannot simply put ANY diesel engine in and call it good. There is a difference, to C.A.R.B. anyway, the ability to SELL a car in Cali is based on compliance, the ability to SWAP is the same. Smog testing is the abilit y to show continued compliance with emissions. This is why I stated that the DONOR car must have been originally legal in Cali to BEGIN with, no 49 state donor cars. What I cannot find is a single source to tell me WHAT must follow, in the way of emissions equipment, FROM the Cali certified donor to the recipient car, to make it legal. Makes sense, huh? Cooperate and graduate, as I learned in Air Force Basic Training many years ago

sixto · #7 09-08-2011, 06:41 PM

617.910 into W114 should be straightforward since that's just transferring parts. There are simply no emission devices in a '76 300D to worry about, not even EGR, IIRC. You might get a VMI from any MB dealer showing that the donor was a US spec vehicle, maybe there is a California spec option code, and has no outstanding recalls. If conscience isn't an issue, transfer the VIN tag of a '76 300D to the W114. Just don't publicize your actions. Might be an insurance problem if the VIN donor is a heap.

Certifying a 602.911 into 124.030 conversion might be a problem if they whip out 124.133 (300D) specs. The 190D doesn't have ARV, trap oxidizer or oxidation catalyst. Who knows what they know about the trap recall. But that's your point, right? What are the rules?

Sixto
87 300D

ChinaClipper · #8 09-09-2011, 03:27 PM

The 124.030 is a challenge, for sure. I think I can beat them by following the right steps. The )M 602 with 717.411 is right out of a crunched 87 190D. Gotta see if the Yard can get the stickers from under the hood... Are you saying that a car somehow finds its way to an out of state registration, then converted, then returned and reregistered in Cali is OK? I have heard of a few cases of this, some folks just managed to get a "change of fuel." and then sent on their way, just paperwork change. Some have had a firm NO, (mostly with Grey market Cars) dependent on who sees it when it comes "back" to Cali. As you m ay have figured out, I have dealt with a BUNCH of California State Employees over the years, technocrats just need to see you are well-informed and ready to rumble, gotta make it hard to say no....

sixto · #9 09-09-2011, 03:41 PM

In this case it was the personal car of someone who moved to California. It just happened to be converted.

Sixto
87 300D

Travis_k · #10 09-09-2011, 03:43 PM

If it is a diesel swap on an originally diesel powered car before 1998, or a gas powered car before 1975, no one will check. You can swap a gas powered car to diesel with the same rules as gas swaps (engine must be the same year or newer than the car, all emissions equipment must be in place), and any car with a 1998 or newer diesel engine must pass the emissions testing. At least as of right now those are the issues that are realisitic considerations, if you are concerned about possible changes in the future than yes, going farther than that to do everything right may be worthwhile.