..Have I mentioned I love this truck?
...I haven't done anything to the Ranger (other than,see above post) in order to take it to it's Bi-Anual Smog Test Only as it fits (Rangers and Explorers) in the "Gross Polluters Profile"..
..I noticed yesterday the Idle is a lil rougher than I like and since the repair to the "Project X" is postponed till next week, I got the boneheaded idea that I have a couple days to burn so I'll just run it thru Smog and use that as a diagnostic tool to repair the Ranger over the net couple of days..
..I figured I would probably fail since I haven't done much in the way of a full tune-up or any real repairs in a couple years since the last test..
..The Ranger being OBDII as a 95 model vehicle usually means they won't hook directly to the computer since the Smog Regulations state ODBII as it was required on 1996 models and newer to be plugged in so the 95 just gets the sniffer..
..Well, you know how this goes...Of course...Since I didn't do any prep for this test they run it thru the full system test with sniffer and of course the Nitrogen "Evap" test..
..Since the regular test with the sniffer usually is performed at 15 mph and then upshift to 25mph and their computer reads the particulates...
..They spent a lot of time before that part of the test running the vehicle with wheel speed shortly then there were multiple rpm range test..I was getting nervous and was like
..By the time I got to the "Evap" test I was pacing back and forth..This is the same time they test the seal on the gas cap...The machine shows a large
Fail after checking the gas cap and at the same time an alarm goes off on the "Evap" test..
..Crop...I now see money flyin' out the window and know my next couple days will be very busy..
.Then it dawned on me I don't really remember having changed that gas cap so it might be stock..I told the guy don't fail my truck as I will run down the street on foot and bring back a gas cap..He happened to have one so that cost me $12..Ok...Back to the test..
..Now he starts re- verifying the vacuum lines and I beleive they crawl under the truck to verify "Evap" and fuel lines..Usually when they start crawling under my trucks is when they start telling me I have modified something smog related (which I have not or never will) but this wasn't the case this time..
..In fact, the guys silence was what was making me nervous as they will usually give you an indication that something is not going so well but by the time all the test were over and the computer had linked to DMV in Sacramento which finally gives a full print out, I dang near had to pry it out of the guy if I had passed or Failed...
..I was expecting the worst but he said, "You did ok"..
..Yeehaw..
..I passed everything and my readings were as good if not a lil bit better than in previous years..Not bad for a 4 truck with over 250,000 miles..:biggthump
Fuel Filler Hose Update
..It appears the cheap $38 Fuel Filler hose lasted longer than the previous hoses I had purchased and I don't think it will last till the next Test Only in 2 years but I will see..
..I also think the 1" bodylift I did for the Atlas has helped give some critical clearance where the hose normally tears at the 90* turn just above the fuel tank allowing it not to have to flex as much when the truck flex's out..:scratch:
..I think I'm going to reward the Ranger with a tank of premium Chevron..
..Oh yea..Smog Test only without any discount cost me $60, the gas cap $12, and the registration this year was $106..