My 2000 BMW 328i's radiator started leaking after the smog test.

I need to get a smog check and am looking for a place to get it done. One place is a mom and pop shop and they are very inexpensive but I remember that they don't use a fan to do the test which worries me since the last time I took my car there to get the test done, my car's radiator statrted to leak after a couple months later. My mechanic told me it's just that it's old but I'm thinking the smog check might've had something to do with it.

This other place I found charges almost double and they are a smog test only place and their facility is state of the art with a nice huge fan. Do you think that not using a fan could damage my car?

Answer:

Not having the fan on during the smog check would do little in the way of causing your BMW's radiator to start leaking or develop any type of problem. When ambient air temperature is above 70f the BAR requires the fan to be placed in front of your vehicle to help engine cooling, however even without it your car's cooling fan should provide enough cooling as to not cause overheating. The smog station's fan is simply there to assist. Not using the smog station's fan will not damage the engine, but on a borderline passing vehicle, not having the station's fan on could cause it to produce high NO.

posted by SmogTips Support