-
California DMV and AAZ swap into Vanagon
by
mortisetortoise
on 31 Aug, 2020 10:16
-
Hello,
My '90 Vanagon had an engine swap to an AAZ done in 2008. I just recieved a Smog notification and found out that the swap had never been correctly registered with the DMV. I need to provide them with details about the engine so that they can perform an inspection and register the van as a Diesel. Does anyone know of a good resource I could send them about the AAZ engine with diagrams of intake, exhaust etc?
-
#1
by
libbydiesel
on 31 Aug, 2020 11:52
-
Probably the best source is the A3 Bentley manual. You should have no trouble, though. The AAZ engine is before the '97 model year when diesel emissions were regulated in CA and yet it is a newer engine than any that were fitted to the Vanagon. You might also post onto the Vanagon forum on thesamba.com.
-
#2
by
mortisetortoise
on 01 Sep, 2020 13:37
-
I've now talked to a BAR referee. He says that in order to register this engine change in CA, I will need to configure the engine as if it were in a '96 which includes an ECU. I currently have a mechanical fuel pump and no CAT or EGR.
-
#3
by
rabbid79
on 01 Sep, 2020 20:53
-
AAZ should be a non-ECU engine from the early 90's. AFAIK, it was a Canadian-market engine, not available in the US. 1Z and AHU, which are both first-generation TDI engines had ECUs, but that's not what you're dealing with. These engines are so old and obscure, I can understand why the BAR referee thinks the AAZ needs/came with an ECU, but it didn't.
-
#4
by
rabbid79
on 01 Sep, 2020 20:56
-
In other words, if you add an ECU to an AAZ, you WILL be modifying the engine. The AAZ is an indirect-injection engine. VW/Audi never installed an ECU/electronically controlled fuel injection pump on an IDI engine. You would have to invent something.
-
#5
by
libbydiesel
on 02 Sep, 2020 08:17
-
I don't believe that the referee will pass an AAZ. I believe the engine has to be one that was offered in a CA smog approved vehicle of the same or later year than the vehicle it is installed into. The installation needs to include anything that affects emissions. Because the AAZ was never offered in CA (or even the US) it will not pass.
-
#6
by
theman53
on 02 Sep, 2020 09:47
-
you could lie and try to say it is a 1.6 or "sell" it to someone out of state, title it there, and have them "sell" it back to you.
-
#7
by
mortisetortoise
on 03 Sep, 2020 09:46
-
Oye,
None if this sounds fun. Looks like I might end up having to sell out of state and look for another Diesel van here in Ca. What a shame. this thing runs so smooth and I run renewable diesel from Propel in it. I wanted a diesel to not have to deal with Smog regulations and to run alternative fuels and be cleaner. Guess I got the worst of dealing with Smog regs now.
-
#8
by
sgnimj96
on 04 Sep, 2020 13:51
-
Maybe an ALH would bolt up, put that engine in an older model.
California owes you an apology.
-
#9
by
libbydiesel
on 04 Sep, 2020 16:47
-
My understanding is that CA requires routine smog checks for any engines after '97. The ALH was not offered until '98, so it would require routine smog checks. Installing a pre-'97 engine would give a smog exemption.
-
#10
by
theman53
on 08 Sep, 2020 10:41
-
Might work if you find a bill of sale for a 1.6L engine and tell them it is that. I am not saying to do this, I am saying it might work. I am not too friendly with a gov telling me what to drive so I would do things a little differently
-
#11
by
ORCoaster
on 08 Sep, 2020 19:56
-
You REBEL you!
-
#12
by
mortisetortoise
on 15 Sep, 2020 21:23
-
Well,I have a potential lead on a '96 Jetta engine that may be allowed but I'm not sure what that will cost or involve just yet. Does anyone know what engine code this might be? I will need to verify it has the correct equipment for the inspection.
-
#13
by
theman53
on 16 Sep, 2020 11:48
-
If it is in the states it should be a code AHU, I don't think the jetta's got the 1Z. But technically, the 1997 was the only year for the Jetta TDI as far as I know.
-
#14
by
libbydiesel
on 16 Sep, 2020 16:58
-
Yeah, in '96 the diesel was only offered in the Passat in the US. IIRC, in 97, 98, and the first half of 99, the AHU was offered in the Jetta. If it is a '97, that would probably work but would require the full electronic engine management.