Any differences between California Montero's and non-CA Montero's?

[BushPig]

Thinking about California emissions equipment/add-on's, catalytic converter differences, oxygen sensors, etc... what differences were there between Montero's originally delivered to CA versus elsewhere...?

Can this stuff be removed without much issue, or is it complicated?

And, are there any functional/maintenance issues or techniques specific to the CA trucks?

 

[nckwltn]

From what I was seeing in the FSM, a california montero has 2 extra cats, one just after each exhaust manifold. They are quite hidden from view, but you should be able to pull them out without anyone noticing, but you'll likely need to add on to the exhaust manifold. But you might have a couple of extra O2 sensors to deal with... so those are going to read incorrect and throw a check engine light.

I bought a non-CA montero and registered & passed emissions without any problems (outside of having to replace the headgasket & valve seals). From what I was reading on the DMV website, you run into problems when you try to register a non CA vehicle that isn't very old. At the age of monteros, you won't have any issues.

 

[BushPig]

Thank you. Any extra CA emissions stuff in the engine bay?

 

[plh]

From what I was seeing in the FSM, a california montero has 2 extra cats, one just after each exhaust manifold. They are quite hidden from view, but you should be able to pull them out without anyone noticing, but you'll likely need to add on to the exhaust manifold. But you might have a couple of extra O2 sensors to deal with... so those are going to read incorrect and throw a check engine light.

I bought a non-CA montero and registered & passed emissions without any problems (outside of having to replace the headgasket & valve seals). From what I was reading on the DMV website, you run into problems when you try to register a non CA vehicle that isn't very old. At the age of monteros, you won't have any issues.

What MY are you referencing? My Gen 3 has 3 CATs and is not a CA.

 

[GrassCat]

Gen 2.5's and lower only have one cat. If it' a California truck and running good why would you want to screw with the emissions? There is very little difference between non California than the rest.

 

[BushPig]

Gen 2.5's and lower only have one cat. If it' a California truck and running good why would you want to screw with the emissions? There is very little difference between non California than the rest.

Sorry, I thought I had mentioned Gen 2 in my original post, but I must have managed to leave it off... my bad. Yes, I was asking about Gen 2's.

On some older foreign cars, the CA emissions stuff is unreliable, and can be removed to set the car up as a standard rest-of-the-US car. That's why I asked whether or not there were CA-specific issues. If they have CA-specific issues, and the setup is not needed and easily removed, then why wouldn't you remove it? If it's reliable and don't really have any issues, then I'm happy to leave it in place.

 

[GrassCat]

Emissions are put on vehicles for a purpose. No matter what state. That purpose is to not pollute. If you were to remove a smog device you would be looking at a red light, all the time, telling you something not right (CEL).

By the way I am not one of those tree hugger, but I do my best to keep them and other off our backs by treading lightly. That includes keeping my vehicle smog compliant.

 

[nckwltn]

What MY are you referencing? My Gen 3 has 3 CATs and is not a CA.

Should have noted that.. perhaps time for a signature. 99 Montero 2.5

 

[4D55 Performance]

Rust is the biggest difference.

 

[BushPig]

Emissions are put on vehicles for a purpose. No matter what state. That purpose is to not pollute. If you were to remove a smog device you would be looking at a red light, all the time, telling you something not right (CEL).

By the way I am not one of those tree hugger, but I do my best to keep them and other off our backs by treading lightly. That includes keeping my vehicle smog compliant.

So I guess all of the non-CA compliant Gen 2 Montero's need to be taken off the road, then, Grasscat...?

You don't want to get me started on all of the junk vehicles allowed to operate on American roads, blowing black smoke as they go down the road on bald mis-matched tires with duct tape windows flapping... the US is far behind on good road vehicle standards. If you're truly worried about polluting, don't drive an SUV.

"Tread lightly" begins with turning your lights off at home when you don't need them... how many people out there give a rat's *** about Treading Lightly when they're out at dinner throwing away half of their meal, or idling around Walmart looking for a good parking spot near the front door on a busy day?

You let me worry about what I do. I don't need your lecture, thanks.

 

[rxinhed]

Respectfully, BushPig...

The general point of your statement is that most of America does not know about Tread Lightly.

GrassCat doesn't need your personal attack.

Russell

 

[The Viper]

So I guess all of the non-CA compliant Gen 2 Montero's need to be taken off the road, then, Grasscat...?

You don't want to get me started on all of the junk vehicles allowed to operate on American roads, blowing black smoke as they go down the road on bald mis-matched tires with duct tape windows flapping... the US is far behind on good road vehicle standards. If you're truly worried about polluting, don't drive an SUV.

"Tread lightly" begins with turning your lights off at home when you don't need them... how many people out there give a rat's *** about Treading Lightly when they're out at dinner throwing away half of their meal, or idling around Walmart looking for a good parking spot near the front door on a busy day?

You let me worry about what I do. I don't need your lecture, thanks.

what the heck was that rant all about??? GrassCat gave you a good answer to a good question, and did it pretty respectfully in my opinion, did he really offend you to such a degree?

 

[GrassCat]

That's OK I'll restrain myself. Sometimes we read things different than what the poster (me) had in mine.

Mr. BushPig, There are no smog pumps or other plumbing like in the old days. The difference is mostly in the electronics and maintenance schedules. Did you know, as an example, California require the timing belt on the Montero to last 100,000 mile compared to the rest at 80,000?

So I guess if you want a top notch, RUST FREE Montero you better get a plane ticket.

Not to offend you, but if you ever get a free moment have a look at the tread lighty web site. http://treadlightly.org/

 

[4D55 Performance]

What we have here is a Cat/Pig fight. Not as good as a cat fight but it will do.:wings:


Back to the topic, I am not sure if there is a difference, but I go out of my way to buy vehicles out of SoCal because they are so clean and rust free. Rust is the killer, not emissions.

 

[nckwltn]

.... go out of my way to buy vehicles out of SoCal because they are so clean and rust free....

You can likely add Arizona and possibly Nevada to that list as well.