Hello all,

In the market for a 04-05 WRX. I looked at one over the weekend, that smoked a little when RPMs got up. Not too high maybe around 2500 or so and in N, I should add. And the smoke appeared grey, not like an oil smoke, and there was not allot of it.

The seller explained the car always did this for as long has it has been owned by him (3 years), and was a result of the mods. This vehicle had 100K for mileage, and the relevant mods are: HKS down pipe and BOV, catless muffler, and custom mid pipe.

I am new to Subarus, turbos, and car modding, but it seems that without the proper CA smog cr4p a car might smoke a little. True?

BTW, I walked away from this car, but want to know what I should expect in the future while looking at more vehicles.

TIA!

 

maybe a head gaskey

 

bold section says it all. cats clean up the exhaust...i.e. less "smokey". no cats in the downpipe...NOT THE MUFFLER...means nothing to keep the exhaust from being smokey.

Depending on the tune, a wrx might pass smog without a cat, unless they do a visual inspection looking for the cats, and/or there is a check engine light. A newer 06/07 California registered WRX won't need a smog check, just a smog transfer which is done @ DMV during registration.

 

Depending on the tune, a wrx might pass smog without a cat, unless they do a visual inspection looking for the cats, and/or there is a check engine light. A newer 06/07 California registered WRX won't need a smog check, just a smog transfer which is done @ DMV during registration.[/QUOTE]


Yup, the check engine light was on too, as a result of disconnected O2 sensor, the selller said.

 

The smoke could be from the exhust being catless or an exhaust leak somewhere else. The BOV would also not pass smog.

Even if he admits that there is a check engine light on due to the O2 sensor being removed, I would still have a pre-purchase inspection done on it and pull the codes to make sure theres nothing else wrong.

Good luck on your search

 

[QUOTE
Even if he admits that there is a check engine light on due to the O2 sensor being removed, I would still have a pre-purchase inspection done on it and pull the codes to make sure theres nothing else wrong.[/QUOTE]


Good advice, I have already talked to DB Tuned about an inspection, and he gave me some other pointers as well.

 

Very nice

 

oh well if you talked to paul you are good to go