Failed smog timing/misconduct by tech

[streetpro]

I need the help of the experts here. I had my Jeep running like a top and its has been great since I got it all dialed in. It seems to run best @ 12BDTC and according to my book that is correct. (8 to 12BTDC). When I went to smog it the tech had no idea what to do with the Jeep and clearly had never seen one. I know you can't know EVERY vehicle and thats ok.

Here's the rub.

He argued that the Jeep should only ever be at 5BTDC. I tried to say different and he stated he only goes by the sticker on the front. He couldn't find the timing mark (its cleaned and polished on mine lol) I had to show him.

Then he said it was at 26BTDC! NFW!

So my extremely low emission vehicle got failed with gascap and timing. I go to drive home and its running like . I get up this AM to check it out, and HE ADVANCED MY TIMING. THE DISTRIBUTOR WAS LOOSE STILL. When I check timing I make it so I can barely move it and then tighten it way down. It was so loose it could have fallen out. Not cool.

Anyways. Does anyone have a copy of the page from the TSM specifically mentioning the timing specs as different for the 1978 AMC 304 /GM Turbo 400 /QT combo? Its easy to put the timing to pass whatever, but the way they failed it was very sketchy.

 

[Torxhead]

I don't get it, your engine should run fine at 5 degrees, along with 28-32 at the top end. When I go visit the smog man I usually have a new cap so that there are no issues with that.

 

[73CJ]

Silly question, vacuum line disconnected? Idle at 800-1000?

 

[alpha6]

I could not live in Calf... Was it tempting to push the back of his head really close to the fan when he was looking for the timing mark?

 

[streetpro]

Silly question, vacuum line disconnected? Idle at 800-1000?

There are no silly questions. I had to tell him to take the line off.
I have it set to 12 under load (looks to be around 10-11 at idle in park) Idle is set at 800 (650 in gear)

I put it back to the way I had it and it ran great all day. If I have to put at 5 to pass fine, but is there not a different spec for V8/auto?

 

[mtnwhlr]

This hole thing sounds stupid. It's a smog test stick your little sniffer in the tail pipe and see if it passes our not why should they care what the timing is at. I hate the smog nazis.

 

[CJ007]

Man thats going too far messing with your timing. I thought we had it bad here. Sniffer, pressure test and they inspect but I would never figure them to work on or change. Especially if its passing.

 

[Stodg73]

Next time you go, take your book with you and have the pages marked to show the tech that you are within spec.

Now in my Haynes manual, it has 2 different specs for the V-8 with an automatic Transmission .

Automatic Transmission ............................................... 8* to 12* BTDC
Automatic Transmission and California Emissions ..... 3* to 7* BTDC

In my Clymer manual, 5* is for California, with 3* to 7* is ok.

In my Chiltons, it is 10* for non California vehicles, for California vehicles it is 5* BTDC.

 

[streetpro]

Thanks everyone. I can tune it however they want and put it back after. A new fuel cap and other little stiff is something they could have told me easily. Messing with my timing and advancing it so far as to potentially damage the engine (he left the distributor totally loose) was an unnecessary way to reinforce his findings. It is yelp and BAR complaint worthy, which I will discuss with the owner, before we both supervise the retest.

 

[gert]

what a <-BAD WORD->..... i really detest smog nazis

 

[gp4play]

Thanks everyone. I can tune it however they want and put it back after. A new fuel cap and other little stiff is something they could have told me easily. Messing with my timing and advancing it so far as to potentially damage the engine (he left the distributor totally loose) was an unnecessary way to reinforce his findings. It is yelp and BAR complaint worthy, which I will discuss with the owner, before we both supervise the retest.

When I got my 84' (258ci) I had to take it to a smog ref to get it in the computer system cause the morons couldn't fig how to unhook the dist. to check the timing."it's to old for my books I can't find it" Good luck on your retest, I have to do it again this year.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Man I feal for you guys out there in CA. I have a hard time here and it's nothing like what you have to go tru.