Gross Polluter and High-Emitter Flagging Notes
Turns a smog technician's test readings and notes on a failed vehicle into two things: a short internal flag note for the shop file, and a plain-English message for the customer.
Before and after
Internal flag note
Wrenwood Smog Check, test date March 12
Vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia, white, 118,400 miles
Customer: Candace Diallo, 402-555-0173
Test type: regular tailpipe test. Result: FAIL
Readings against report limits:
- HC: 212 ppm, limit 120. Over by 92 ppm (212 minus 120)
- CO: 1.9 %, limit 1.2. Over by 0.7 % (1.9 minus 1.2)
- NOx: 1,480 ppm, limit 1,100. Over by 380 ppm (1,480 minus 1,100)
Technician Carlos Edwards noted: blue-gray smoke on acceleration, strong oil smell at the tailpipe, check engine light on, valve cover leaking oil onto the exhaust, very dirty air filter. He believes oil is burning and the cause needs diagnosis.
Flag: all 3 readings are over the limits shown on the report, so we are flagging this vehicle as a suspected high emitter based on these readings.
Official classification: not stated
Customer message
Hi Candace, this is Wrenwood Smog Check. Your 2017 GMC Acadia did not pass its smog test today. All three of the exhaust readings we measured were higher than the limits on the test report:
- Hydrocarbons (unburned fuel): 212, limit 120
- Carbon monoxide: 1.9 %, limit 1.2 %
- Nitrogen oxides: 1,480, limit 1,100
Our technician, Carlos Edwards, also noticed blue-gray smoke when the engine was revved, a strong oil smell from the tailpipe, and that your check engine light is on. He believes oil may be burning, but the cause has to be diagnosed before anyone can say for sure.
Here is what we recommend:
Recommended now
- Engine diagnosis, for the failed readings, the smoke, and the check engine light
- Valve cover gasket replacement, since oil is leaking onto the exhaust now
Also recommended
- Air filter replacement, since the filter was very dirty
The technician did not note any safety concerns. If you decide to hold off on any item, we will record that as your decision. Please call us at 402-555-0172 with any questions.
Questions for the owner
- What retest fee, if any, should Candace be told about?
- Is there a deadline or repair rule you want to mention? Please confirm any state program rules locally before sharing them.
- Do you want to quote prices for the diagnosis, gasket, or air filter?
- Does the shop want to say anything about repair help or other options? Confirm these with the state smog program first.
What it does
Turns a smog technician's test readings and notes on a failed vehicle into two things: a short internal flag note for the shop file, and a plain-English message for the customer. It only reports what the test showed. It does not decide whether a vehicle is officially classed as a gross polluter.
Use it when: Use when a smog check shop needs to write up notes on a vehicle that failed with very high readings or may be a gross polluter or high emitter, such as "write up this gross polluter", "flag this high emitter", or "explain this failed smog to the customer."