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A/C Delete/ Smog Inspection?

Tiny
AMCANDELA
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA CRV
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 259,000 MILES
If I only touch the A/C system for removal, will this play into passing/failing a California smog Inspection?
Sunday, July 10th, 2022 AT 5:32 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
It shouldn't but it depends on what you plan on removing. If you are thinking of removing it for better mileage it's not worth the effort, simply unplug the compressor clutch coil so it cannot engage and let it act as an idler. That way if you decide to sell it, they could simply plug it back in. Might I ask why you wish to remove it?
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Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
AMCANDELA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Converting to electric, I'm removing everything. HVAC is getting replaced eventually with a less robust system. Making sure I will pass smog if I don't have the conversion ready in a little over a year for the next inspection.

Thanks!
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Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
If you mean you are converting the entire vehicle over to electric, good luck as it's going to be a lot of work. Are you going to use the drive from an existing EV or building it yourself? Being Cali I would read through the vehicle laws really well. I know here in NY this would end up being re-titled as a home-built vehicle that has its own set of rules when it comes to inspections.
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Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
AMCANDELA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Transfer case, transmission and everything else I can get to convert it to 4x4, there's Tesla kits online and other kits from EV West and such for the electronics side, plus a decade of electronics work in the military. Oh yes, a lot of fabrication and custom work that I'll have to get done. I'm not worried about street legal once the conversion is done, but for now it's a daily driver.
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Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
In that case I'd probably leave the A/C alone until you really start the work, no reason to drive around in a hot vehicle for the current time. Unless it doesn't work at this time.
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Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
AMCANDELA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It's been a productive day. Most everything under the dash is already done. I'll take it in to bleed off the refrigerant and finish the rest. Half of the dash is left, holding the instrument cluster and the air bag. Everything in the engine bay, like the A/C compressor, will have to be another day as I have to drop the engine about an inch.
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Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,268 POSTS
Hi,

I noticed it has been two days since you were contacted. Have you been able to make progress with the compressor? I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
AMCANDELA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Not yet. I'm waiting for an upsized tire/wheel package to come in. After I install them, I'm going to have a shop do an alignment and bleed off the Freon.
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Thursday, July 14th, 2022 AT 12:29 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
I was reading the California laws the other night. They have some real convoluted stuff when it comes to conversions and even engine swaps. Removing the A/C doesn't seem to be an issue, but the actual conversion appears to make it no longer street legal. I would go talk to a couple of the motor vehicle folks about it, I know you said you're not worried about it, but it never hurts to be sure what you are trying is or isn't going to be okay. To me a conversion to electric should be a good thing but reading the laws it becomes as clear as mud.
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Thursday, July 14th, 2022 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
AMCANDELA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Gotcha. Yes, sometimes California law can be, discretionary, dependent on those enforcing it. Municipal police are pretty laxed, CHP not so much.
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Thursday, July 14th, 2022 AT 2:34 PM

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