Hi Listees,

I am a new Vanagon (well used naturally) owner and a first time poster with
a smoggy problem.

After falling in love with the idea of buying a Westfalia for a while, I
finally found a van in great shape while working in Idaho.  I live in San
Francisco and searched locally but never found anything in good shape.  So
I found this 1981 Vanagon in what appeared to be good running order and I
was just in the right financial shape at the moment, so I bought it.

It was a former California car so I didn't think I would have too much
trouble with getting to smogged but I was dreadfully wrong.

Upon returning to San Francisco I wanted to have it tuned up before having
the smog check done.  This is when I was informed that the Fuel Injection
unit had been removed and replaced with a Weber Carb.  I noticed the carb
before but didn't realize this was not standard.  <I know I'm an idiot, I
should of done more research.>

So now I have this beautiful van that will not pass smog.  It will not pass
the visual inspection and won't pass the tests as I am told it simply runs
too rich anyway.  I was told the cost of trying to buy and install the
original equipment is so high it just isn't worth it.

I will have to take it to a Smog referee (I am told) and see what they have
to say but I was assured by the mechanic that this van will never be legal
in California.

I just wanted to get the collective wisdom of this list before I move
forward.  has anyone been through this before?  Does anyone know an
mechanic in the SF Bay Area who can do the work necessary to get my van
back on the road?  Any help at all is appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

Steve Kroll
81 unregistered westy :-(