BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

During the Visual inspection of the BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test you are basically looking for smoke coming from the tailpipe during this portion of the test. 

Basically what you are looking for is any particular matter from the tailpipe.

Step 1 - Vehicle Preparation

• Check that there are no obvious safety hazards (abnormal engine noise, overheating, leaking fluids, etc.). Inspectors may reject a vehicle that is unsafe to test.

• Place the transmission in “Neutral” or “Park,” with the parking brake on and/or wheel chocks in place.

• Turn off all accessories (including air conditioning). • Ensure the vehicle is at normal operating temperature.

• Position the vehicle to ensure there are no drafts that can disturb the exhaust plume.

• Ensure there is nothing in the shop environment, such as equipment or tool boxes, which prevents the inspector from clearly observing the exhaust plume. In general, this will require clearing the line-of-sight as much as 15 feet from the tailpipe(s).

BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

Step 2 - Test Preparation and Vehicle Familiarization

• Use any means necessary to enable observation of the vehicle’s exhaust plume, including but not limited to, adjusting the seat and mirror positions.

• Perform the first of three BAR Snap Tests: - Gasoline If using the BAR-97 EIS, the first snap shall be performed at the beginning of the inspection when the EIS screen enables you to stabilize the RPM. If using the OIS, perform the first snap when prompted.

• Ensure the vehicle’s engine RPM falls between 2,000 and 3,000 while performing the first BAR Snap Test. If it does not, you can do one of the following: - Press-and-release the accelerator pedal more quickly or more slowly as needed to stay within the designated RPM range; or - Quickly press the pedal only part way to the floor before releasing it.

• Do not check for smoke during the first BAR Snap Test. Any visible smoke observed during the first BAR Snap Test shall not result in a failure.

BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

Step 3 - Perform the Idle Test

• Have the engine running at idle and go to the vehicle’s tailpipe.

• Perform the Idle Test: - Gasoline If using the BAR-97 EIS, the idle test shall be performed immediately after performing the ASM/TSI test, if these tests are performed. If using the OIS, perform the idle test when prompted.

• Observe the tailpipe(s) exhaust plume of the vehicle for 10 seconds

BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

Step 4 - Perform the Crankcase (PCV) Test

• After performing the Idle Test (Step 3), continue to leave the vehicle’s engine running at idle and go to the vehicle engine compartment. Open the hood to the engine compartment and determine whether any smoke is coming from the crankcase (PCV) system.

• Observe the vehicle’s crankcase system for 10 seconds.

Step 5 - Complete the BAR Snap Test

• Continue to leave the vehicle’s engine running at idle.

• Perform the final two BAR Snap Tests just before starting the under-hood visual inspection.

• Perform the second BAR Snap Test while watching for visible smoke.

• Return the engine to idle, and wait for at least 3 seconds to allow the engine to stabilize.

• Perform the third (and final) BAR Snap Test while watching for visible smoke. 

Step 6 - PASS/FAIL Determination

• PASS the vehicle for the Visible Smoke Test portion of the Smog Check inspection if the vehicle does not emit smoke during the Idle Test, Crankcase Test, and both of the final two BAR Snap Tests.

• FAIL the vehicle if: - There is any visible smoke observed during the Idle Test; - OR there is any visible smoke coming from the crankcase (PCV) system; - OR there is:

• Gasoline - any visible smoke observed between the tailpipe and 10 feet from the tailpipe(s) on either of the final two BAR Snap Tests.

• Smoke from any area other than the vehicle’s tailpipe(s) or crankcase (PCV) system, regardless of the cause, does not constitute a failure of the Visible Smoke Test.

• No vehicle shall be failed for condensation or steam. 

Step 7 – Enter the Test Results into the EIS or OIS

• Results must be entered in the visual inspection’s “Other Emission Related Controls” category on the EIS or at the “Enter Result of the Exhaust System Smoke Check” and “Enter Result of the Crankcase System Smoke Check” OIS prompts.

• For vehicles that pass all portions of the Visible Smoke Test, enter “P” (Pass).

• For vehicles that fail any portion of the Visible Smoke Test, enter “F” (Defective). 

BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

The BAR-97 EIS currently allows only one entry for the visual inspection of all components covered under the “Other Emission Related Controls” category. Therefore, if the vehicle passes all portions of the Visible Smoke Test, but fails a visual check of any other component covered under the “Other Emission Related Controls” category, enter the appropriate failure code.

However, if the vehicle passes the visual inspection for components covered under the “Other Emission Related Controls” category, but fails any portion of the Visible Smoke Test, enter “F” (Defective) into the EIS.

BA.R. Website for more info: Click Here

BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test

Here is an example of judging the BAR-Smog-Smoke-Test during a visual inspection. 

You notice smoke coming from the tailpipe prior to the test. But during the idle 10 second smoke test and the snap smoke test there is no smoke.

How would you handle this situation?

Answer

In this situation this vehicle would pass the smog inspection, because you are only judging or verifying the results during the B.A.R. snap Test. 

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