Every two years the Alfa Spider has to go in for a complete smog check. Any car in California that is newer than 1975 has to go through this. If it fails – you cannot renew the registration. I just took the 1986 Spider in again for this ordeal. They check the engine bay to see if all the smog equipment and lines are there; the timing, the catalytic converter (Calif has special ones); the gas cap seal; and the tail pipe emissions. For pre-2000 cars they run the car on a dynamometer with rollers and the drive wheels spinning. They test the emission output at 15 MPH and then again at 25 MPH. Here are some simple tips to help pass:
- Make sure the fuel is fresh
- Have clean oil
- Run some injector cleaner a bit before the test date
- Make sure the plugs are new – or at least clean
- Make sure the car is in tune and valves adjusted
- Make sure all your smog equipment and hoses are intact
- Make sure the tire pressure is up (less resistance for the engine on the dyno)
- Take the car out for a good run at speed on an open freeway to clean out the engine and warm up the catalytic convertor
- Drive it straight to the test and get in on the dyno while the convertor is nice and hot
With any luck you will pass with ease! Since I installed a new catalytic convertor a couple of tests back the Alfa shows very low emissions numbers. Great for the environment and great for the biennial test. Good luck!
The Motorphile 