Hi Gang:
        I just went through the Smog Check in CA.  Here's what I learned:

My 1990 Carat (263,000 miles on short block) was flagged for a "Test Only"
Station because the State has stuck us with a Problem label.  I took the
van in and promptly failed, but only on the NOx....... 1074 ppm vs. 1010
allowed.

Business being too busy, took the van to dealer, had them install a new
Cat, new plugs, cap, rotor, new throttle body and a new AFM (major parts
bought from list vendors).  The last two were marginal in any case.

Re-test:  passed with flying colors.  NOx went down to the 100's ppm.

Dealer:  the Vanagon does that.  Get it SMOKING hot, then test immediately.

I noticed an erratic idle before the work, which stabilized nicely
afterward.

Haven't changed my oil in a while, but I do run Castrol Synth. - the van
has been sitting a lot.  Have a Boston Bob motor STILL waiting to go in,
but am building a castle - it must wait a little while.

That's the dealio.

Randy Bergum
1990 Carat

> [Original Message]
> From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Date: 5/2/2005 12:41:25 PM
> Subject: california smog issues and synthetic oil
>
> The reason I think that synthetic oil might help on
> passing smog is the same reason for doing an oil
> change before testing.   My vanagon has a bit of blow
> by as in blowing past the rings into the combustion
> chamber.  On the passat I clearly notice that the
> synthetic has less odor than the dino oil.   I think
> the burn point and the vapor pressure might somehow
> affect the smog reading at least in the hydocarbon
> count.   My real problem was with nox.  I am not sure
> that synthetic oil would help with nox?
>       gary
> Date:    Mon, 2 May 2005 11:19:29 -0400
> From:    tabe johnson <xtabe@YAHOO.COM>
> Subject: Interesting Synthetic Oil Study
>
> There's no question this guy's car is different
> from ours, but the trends are interesting.  If you
> doubt the quality of synth oil, have a read.
>
>
> http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html
>
>
> --tabe
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Mon, 2 May 2005 10:30:42 -0500
> From:    Warren Lail <wlail@OU.EDU>
> Subject: Re: california smog issues and synthetic oil
>
> Dennis Haynes wrote:
>
> >>I don't think synthetic oil will be all that helpful
> for passing
> emissions but there is no doubt that it has benefits.
> I have been doing
> oil testing on my vehicles now for about a year and
> there is no reason
> not to go 7,500 miles between changes with a good
> synthetic so unless
> you are using a lot of oil that alone offsets the
> cost. Mobil now
> has"Extended Performance" oil they guarantee for
> 15,000 miles or 1
> year.
> I think that is pushing things. I did go 13,500 (1
> year) in my Fox. My
> wife's Audi reports indicate about 12k is the limit
> for that engine
> which now has 179k on it. 2 weeks ago there where 4
> Vanagons here with
> over 200k on the original engines, (including mine).
> What did they have
> in common? Mobil 1 15w-50. Fun Bus even has the
> original head gaskets.
>
> Dennis<<
>
> Dennis,
>
> I run Mobil 1 15-50 in my 88 Westy, but I change it
> every 3500 miles.
> I know that theoretically I can run it longer, but my
> concern is not
> oil breakdown, it is that the filter will be
> overwhelmed.  I have been
> told that oil filters reach their capacity under
> normal conditions at
> around 3500 miles.  During the summer I drive on dusty
> roads quite a bit
> and that also would put more strain on the filter, I
> think.  Have you
> taken filter life into account in your oil testing?
>
> I run Mahle filters.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Warren Lail
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones"
>
>
>
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