Hi Patti

I was in the same situation earlier this year. Heck, the State even
offered me $200. to retire my Westy. The new CA Smog Laws are tuff to
pass. They really want to get older vehicles off the road. Yes they
will test the gas tank vent system. I had that fixed last year so no
problem at test time. Unfortunately, the Catalytic Converter did not
cooperate! IF your van fails a required test (like mine did), you may
be eligible for financial aid from the state. Something your mechanic
will be all to happy to help you with (he's happy, he gets the $$).
In hind sight, I could have saved a good chunk of cash had I changed
the Catalytic Converter and Oxygen Sensor myself. They were 22 years
old after all. So, if you suspect anything is bad, fix it. These are
older vehicles and will require these parts most likely sooner then
later anyway.

Good luck.
Pat
86' Westy -132,000

Date:    Mon, 4 Aug 2008 09:12:26 -0700
From:    Donna Skarloken <dskarloken@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: California Smog Test 2008

Patti, I do know that in January when my son's van was tested they
found his
gas cap was not doing the job.  He replaced it and all was well.  I
think
the new testing was discussed on the list back in Feb. or March; BenT
and
others participated.  We are in the test only area (I'm San Joaquin
Valley,
my son in the Bay Area).  My van just failed testing but for other
reasons
that are now costing me a pile of money to fix.

Donna, 87 Syncro

On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 6:16 PM, PB <pbrattan@gmail.com> wrote:

> I got my Westy smog tested when I bought it in April, 2007, and now
> they
> (CA
> DMV) want me to have it tested again in August 2008 when I renew
> the reg.
> Last hear it passed without a hitch, but a mechanic told me that
> this year
> it will fail due to a new law that went into effect on 1-1-08.  I
> think it
> has something to do with the fuel tank vent lines.  He said that
> they had
> to
> be replaced with different material.  Is there anyone from
> California who
> is
> familiar with this new smog requirement that seems to particularly
> affect
> Vanagons?
> Patti
> 90 Westy Automatic
>