Silicone Vacuum Hoses illegal?
854x4
08-11-2009, 12:16 AM
I recently changed all my old vacuum hoses on my truck to new silicone ones and a smog tech told me that they are illegal.They are the same size and perform the same way just that they are silicone. I was wondering if anyone can confirm this or if there is any documation stating that they are in fact illegal. I searched but could not find an answer to my question. I searched the package that they came in and nowhere does it say offroad/race only or not legal. I'm in california
jdmccright
08-11-2009, 10:53 AM
Here's what I've found. It explains it pretty well:
http://www.racingbeat.com/emissions.htm
Basically, you cannot tamper with or replace ANY portion of the emissions control equipment on a California vehicle unless it is either the OEM replacement or is specifically CARB-exempt. The smog tech visually identified your vacuum hoses as being non-OEM thus your car failed immediately. Ayup, it sucks...yet another price to pay to live in the Golden State.
Here's a link to the CARB site to determine if your equipment is exempt:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php
You might contact the manufacturer to see if they have received exempt status for this product and have not updated their packaging or labelling. Worth a shot in the dark....good luck!
http://www.racingbeat.com/emissions.htm
Basically, you cannot tamper with or replace ANY portion of the emissions control equipment on a California vehicle unless it is either the OEM replacement or is specifically CARB-exempt. The smog tech visually identified your vacuum hoses as being non-OEM thus your car failed immediately. Ayup, it sucks...yet another price to pay to live in the Golden State.
Here's a link to the CARB site to determine if your equipment is exempt:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php
You might contact the manufacturer to see if they have received exempt status for this product and have not updated their packaging or labelling. Worth a shot in the dark....good luck!
somick
08-11-2009, 12:02 PM
I had the same problem a month ago. They failed me because I used regular heater hoses instead of an emission ones. Did not have any choice but to go to a dealer and pay 50 dollars for three pieces of a foot long 5/8 inch hoses.
Emission hose suppose to withstand higher temperatures and oil. The funny thing that they run side by side in the engine bay. We do not have a say here. When they tell you: "Jump!", you ask them: "How high?"
On a www.ultimatesubaru.org somebody provided me with a URL for the company that makes those special hoses. If you are still interested I will try to dig it up and post it here.
Sam
Emission hose suppose to withstand higher temperatures and oil. The funny thing that they run side by side in the engine bay. We do not have a say here. When they tell you: "Jump!", you ask them: "How high?"
On a www.ultimatesubaru.org somebody provided me with a URL for the company that makes those special hoses. If you are still interested I will try to dig it up and post it here.
Sam
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