Need smog check recommendation for South Bay

[Barry]

Originally Posted by hloo10

I'm looking for a shop in the South Bay or within 20 miles which knows how to smog check a Boxster. I'm a bit leary of taking her to the corner gas station. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hanson

Had my 2000 done in November at Anderson Behel in San Jose for $80 minus a PCA discount. I consider this a bargain when you factor in that it was done by technicians who actually know how to access the engine compartment and then properly re-secure things. Also, since it was still in warranty at the time, if any problems were found during the test, the car was already in the shop that could do the repairs.

[Docdanracy]

Barry,
Was that on the dyno or the normal smog check. Sometime in November or December the law changed and every smog now needs to be on the dyno....much more $$$$$$. By the way why did your y2k need a smog check since in Calif. you have 4 year grace period on a new car before needing smog, or was your car a very early y2k purchase?

[Docdanracy]

Ken's Sportech in Campbell can do your smog. They work with the shop right next door with a dyno and can get it done. Had mine done in December with no problems. When you call ask for Mark and tell them that Dan Thompson sent you in. They know how to work on Boxsters.
They also just got a Ps2 so they can scan for trouble codes now.

[Barry]

Can't say for sure if it was dyno'd. Assume it was since the test was done in November. Did a price reference check at Claridge's at the time. They were $135, so doing it at A/B was an easy decision. Don't know if A/B's price is still $80.

The glow of "newness" got a bit tarnished when I got the DMV smog notice in my registration renewal. My 2000 was delivered in January '00.

[mee]

Originally Posted by hloo10

I'm looking for a shop in the South Bay or within 20 miles which knows how to smog check a Boxster. I'm a bit leary of taking her to the corner gas station. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hanson

This was the Smog Check II (needless to say). Many smog places told me to go to the dealership. I found a place called Reliable Auto Repair at 463 Blossom Hill near 87/Oakridge Mall. I helped them remove the engine cover (it's in the manual) to get to the engine. Pretty down-to-earth guys. Nothing fancy and not the usual dealer snobs. Cost was $80 with cert which was actually better than some places that charged $90 and wouldn't touch a Porsche. Will go there in the future.

[LarryNakamura]

If you find a good mechanic, parts store, dealer with good service, etc.
you should add it to the recomendations list. Located at the top of the
page. Just a suggestion.

[RickJ]

I see this is an older thread - but thought I'd add to it anyway - it's still a challenge.....
.
I just spent an hour or so visiting 3 or 4 smog check places (generally prices in the $35 range) in the Evergreen area of San Jose - none could smog the Boxster 09 'S' - I drove up to Saratoga Ave and found 'Saratoga Avenue 76' @ 590 Saratoga Ave (@ 280) - they were able to smog - price with certificate $78......I'd have thought by now the Boxster would have become common enough that the smog guys wouldn't have any difficulty doing what they needed to get the job done - but apparently not....RickJ

[mikefocke]

What in the world is so complex with your CA smog check. In NC we hook up to the OBD port, put a probe in the tailpipe and rev the engine and out comes a print out that goes to the governor. No mystery on a 986 at all. Never even open the engine access hatch.

[hloo10]

This is an ancient thread but back then CA cars had to go on a dyno. Most smog shops did not have dynos low enough to get these cars on without damage to the front. The one I found back then was Cupertino Smog also a 76 station (10625 N De Anza Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014 near old Apple buildings) had a dyno built into the floor.

CA has gotten rid of the dyno requirement but I still use these guys. Now it’s just ODB. Don’t even have to pull the car in. Does it wireless. They’ve gotten to know these cars over the years. Just recently had a 2016 981 done there and the tech clearly knew the car. About $70. Great to see some of the old names in this thread.