# CA Smog for BMW from MA

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-smog-for-bmw-from-ma/62044>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** bmw, 318\
**Created:** [March 1, 2011, 9:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-smog-for-bmw-from-ma/62044 "2011-03-01T09:39:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![miki816](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8edcca/32.png) [@miki816](https://community.cartalk.com/u/miki816)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 9:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-smog-for-bmw-from-ma/62044/1 "2011-03-01T09:39:25Z")

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Shipped my 1994 BMW 318i from MA to CA. Didn’t pass CA Smog. 126K miles, well-maintained (i.e., all 30k 60k, 90K suggested maintenance plus regular twice a year “check ups”). Cat converter needs to be changed, I’m told, with no 100% gurantee that it will pass smog after $ spent. Can’t afford to buy a car now. What do I have to do to pass smog???

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**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 11:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-smog-for-bmw-from-ma/62044/2 "2011-03-01T11:08:32Z")

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Has the converter ever been replaced? It’s entirely plausible that this part has degraded in efficiency after 17+ years of driving. It’s also possible that your oxygen sensor(s) are weak as well if they haven’t ever been changed.

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**Author:** ![Bladecutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@Bladecutter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bladecutter)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-smog-for-bmw-from-ma/62044/3 "2011-03-01T22:01:30Z")

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You need to list the reason from the testing why the vehicle failed for us to properly help you.

BC.

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**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2011, 5:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-smog-for-bmw-from-ma/62044/4 "2011-03-02T05:26:47Z")

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Was the engine warmed up properly before the test?  
Why did you fail the test.