Bjers Modern & Classic Auto Repair

In response to Customer, ** ***, and to her complaint #*** I am a licensed SMOG Inspector and certified SMOG repair technician with a certified Station holding current credentials and registered with an outstanding record noted as a Star Station through the Bureau of Automotive
Repair. Also I am updated on training on all vehicles dated to current models. Please note the following guidelines I follow in doing a SMOG test as regulated by State of California SMOG code. If you have any questions on procedure, please call California Bureau of Automotive Repair at 800-622-which is their SMOG Referee contact. The following are the standard protocol when performing SMOG: “Smog check are designed to measure the amount and type of pollutants a vehicle is emitting. It may include any or all of the following: 1. Visual inspection of emission control components and systems2. Functional inspection of the vehicles check engine light, ignition timing, exhaust gas recirculation system, fuel evaporative system and gas cap3. Functional inspection of the vehicles on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer system4. Tail pipe emissions inspection” The following notes were typed in her customer data base records on our computer and have been noted for this case: Customer originally came in for a smog test 3/11/16: customer was advised that vehicle would fail automatically because the check engine light was on: smog test or pre-test was not performed due to the check engine light being on Customer authorized diagnosis found initially to have codes; for oil sender and for secondary air system as the computer indicated Advised customer needed oil sender replaced and we also found some vacuum lines broken and repaired. We replaced the Oils sending unit and repaired without incurring further costs on the vacuum lines per customer. At this time the initial codes cleared and customer advised to drive to clear monitors before SMOG (as standard California SMOG procedures require)Note: upon discussing the repair with customer she advised us she was on a fixed income so proceed with minimal repair. She also told us she moved to this area because of existing health issues and moved in with her sister to proceed with treatmentCustomer called back within a week said check engine light came on again. I performed further diagnosis at no cost, found electric secondary air pump not functioning Pulled air pump and found pump full of water and frozen up (common concern on this type of vehicle), installed used pump at no cost to the customer after obtaining customer approval and appreciation for helping her. We paid for used pump, installed and ran secondary air on scanner which then passed, cleared codes and advised customer to drive to clear the monitors (as standard California SMOG procedures require)During this time the car was being driven by customer, check engine light never came back on but the computer monitors would not clear (these monitors are very picky and sometimes do not clear for one reason or another or for incorrect drive cycle or if there are further issues to be addressed in the step by step process. These usually need to be driven per the specific guidelines of the vehicle manufacturer)Customer brought car back and we advised that we would try to road test and drive to clear monitor but no guarantee; (at this time customer advised us she did not need the car and we could drive for the week or so). While driving to clear monitor, we added about $of gas to car at my expense With over hours of driving (and diagnostics) per vehicle specifications we were unable to clear monitors, advised customer it needed to go to dealer (again this is standard procedure when a vehicle will not clear monitors). Note: she was never charged for fuel, labor time, drive time, continual diagnosis or the air pump as stated aboveIn all, we spent approximately plus hours on the fuel, air pump and trying to clear monitors at no cost to the customer after the initial repairs she paid for (customer was only charged for the original diagnosis and repair of the oil sensor and the vacuum (secondary air) linesTotal cost to customer was $as you can see by the repair order which was necessary and approved by customer If she were to be charged for the entire process, she would have been justifiably charged over $to $ We performed standard procedure and went above and beyond to help this customer who told us of her difficulties…Smog repairs require numerous steps to repairs depending on difficulty, especially on the older vehicles that have been sold prior to being SMOGThese steps are a process and take time to detect as each problem is detected and the computer responds to codes and monitor’s after each repair. After advising customer to go to the dealer on her last visit, we never heard from her. Therefore, I was unaware of her issues until I received this complaint. I went above and beyond to help her more than what any other shop would have done Can you tell me why this initiated at my shop in March, and it wasn’t Smog certified until June and now in mid-August a complaint is formed? In response to her claim there was front end damage, this is the first we heard of it and damage was not incurred at this shop. The initial visual inspection of the vehicle was that it was old and had existing damage. To say that we did damage this long after the fact is reaching. In response to there being a “map that explains simple repairs”, well after being a certified technician for over years with an excellent track record, I have never seen a simple map that will cure all! If she is referring to a vacuum diagram it is not a list of how to repair for Smog testing and is not a cure allIn conclusion, I have not been the cause of her existing health issues and feel compassion for her but I did the repairs and helped her more than what the regulations require. I stand firm and confident you will find that the work done on her vehicle was sufficient for the diagnosis and for the cost and did what was necessary without exorbitant fees. If you have further questions, please contact me at *** or via email at *** Sincerely, *** *** *** Smog License: *** Bjers Auto Repair *** *** ***
*** *** ** *** 530-926-M-F 8-

In response to Customer, [redacted], and to her complaint #[redacted] I am a licensed SMOG Inspector and certified SMOG repair technician with a certified Station holding current credentials and registered with an...

outstanding record noted as a Star Station through the Bureau of Automotive Repair.   Also I am updated on training on all vehicles dated 1975 to current models.  Please note the following guidelines I follow in doing a SMOG test as regulated by State of California SMOG code.  If you have any questions on procedure, please call California Bureau of Automotive Repair at 800-622-7733 which is their SMOG Referee contact.   The following are the standard protocol when performing SMOG: “Smog check are designed to measure the amount and type of pollutants a vehicle is emitting.  It may include any or all of the following: 1.       Visual inspection of emission control components and systems. 2.      Functional inspection of the vehicles check engine light, ignition timing, exhaust gas recirculation system, fuel evaporative system and gas cap. 3.      Functional inspection of the vehicles on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer system. 4.      Tail pipe emissions inspection”  The following notes were typed in her customer data base records on our computer and have been noted for this case: Customer originally came in for a smog test 3/11/16:  customer was advised that vehicle would fail automatically because the check engine light was on:  smog test or pre-test was not performed due to the check engine light being on.  Customer authorized diagnosis found initially to have 2 codes; 1 for oil sender and 1 for secondary air system as the computer indicated.  Advised customer needed oil sender replaced and we also found some vacuum lines broken and repaired.  We replaced the Oils sending unit and repaired without incurring further costs on the vacuum lines per customer.  At this time the initial codes cleared and customer advised to drive to clear monitors before SMOG (as standard California SMOG procedures require). Note: upon discussing the repair with customer she advised us she was on a fixed income so proceed with minimal repair.  She also told us she moved to this area because of existing health issues and moved in with her sister to proceed with treatment. Customer called back within a week said check engine light came on again.  I performed further diagnosis at no cost, found electric secondary air pump not functioning.  Pulled air pump and found pump full of water and frozen up (common concern on this type of vehicle), installed used pump at no cost to the customer after obtaining customer approval and appreciation for helping her.  We paid for used pump, installed and ran secondary air on scanner which then passed, cleared codes and advised customer to drive to clear the monitors (as standard California SMOG procedures require). During this time the car was being driven by customer, check engine light never came back on but the computer monitors would not clear (these monitors are very picky and sometimes do not clear for one reason or another or for incorrect drive cycle or if there are further issues to be addressed in the step by step process.  These usually need to be driven per the specific guidelines of the vehicle manufacturer). Customer brought car back and we advised that we would try to road test and drive to clear monitor but no guarantee; (at this time customer advised us she did not need the car and we could drive for the week or so).   While driving to clear monitor, we added about $50 of gas to car at my expense.  With over 10 hours of driving (and diagnostics) per vehicle specifications we were unable to clear monitors, advised customer it needed to go to dealer (again this is standard procedure when a vehicle will not clear monitors).  Note: she was never charged for fuel, labor time, drive time, continual diagnosis or the air pump as stated above. In all, we spent approximately 10 plus hours on the fuel, air pump and trying to clear monitors at no cost to the customer after the initial repairs she paid for (customer was only charged for the original diagnosis and repair of the oil sensor and the vacuum (secondary air) lines. Total cost to customer was $200.30 as you can see by the repair order which was necessary and approved by customer.  If she were to be charged for the entire process, she would have been justifiably charged over $600 to $800.  We performed standard procedure and went above and beyond to help this customer who told us of her difficulties…. Smog repairs require numerous steps to repairs depending on difficulty, especially on the older vehicles that have been sold prior to being SMOG. These steps are a process and take time to detect as each problem is detected and the computer responds to codes and monitor’s after each repair.   After advising customer to go to the dealer on her last visit, we never heard from her.  Therefore, I was unaware of her issues until I received this complaint.   I went above and beyond to help her more than what any other shop would have done.   Can you tell me why this initiated at my shop in March, and it wasn’t Smog certified until June and now in mid-August a complaint is formed? In response to her claim there was front end damage, this is the first we heard of it and damage was not incurred at this shop.  The initial visual inspection of the vehicle was that it was old and had existing damage.  To say that we did damage this long after the fact is reaching.    In response to there being a “map that explains simple repairs”, well after being a certified technician for over 35 years with an excellent track record, I have never seen a simple map that will cure all!  If she is referring to a vacuum diagram it is not a list of how to repair for Smog testing and is not a cure all. In conclusion, I have not been the cause of her existing health issues and feel compassion for her but I did the repairs and helped her more than what the regulations require.  I stand firm and confident you will find that the work done on her vehicle was sufficient for the diagnosis and for the cost and did what was necessary without exorbitant fees.  If you have further questions, please contact me at [redacted] or via email at [redacted] Sincerely,   [redacted] Smog License: [redacted] Bjers Auto Repair [redacted]
[redacted] 530-926-0500 M-F 8-5