The inevitable has come: my dashpot diaphragm has failed due to old age. I know that I don't need it in order for the engine to run more-or-less properly, but CA SMOG regulations say I need all of the original equipment installed on my engine in order to be road legal. I don't know if I can convince my usual inspector to agree that an engine missing a piece, no matter how minor, would still run normally (if indeed they notice something is missing).

The way I see it, there are a few ways I could move forward. 1: I delete the dashpot diaphragm now and 1.1: gaslight the inspector into thinking there's nothing missing or 1.2: be honest and try to convince the inspector to let it slide, 2: attempt to repair the hole(s) in the diaphragm, or 3: buy a used dashpot diaphragm and hope it works long enough to pass. Which way should I go?

To be clear, the second I pass and get my tags, that dashpot is getting deleted and shelved until next year (I'm a gross polluter; I need inspections every year now).

 

After some brainstorming with some of my car friends, I decided to simply take the spring out of the diaphragm and use gasket maker to block off the vacuum port from the inside. This way, everything appears to be in place and runs as expected, but the diaphragm will be totally disabled and repairs directly to the diaphragm will not be necessary.

 

That is exactly what I was going to say.. plug the vacuum line to it and take the spring out. Its not needed at all especially if its a manual.

also I still cant wrap my head around needing such inspections. where I live any car that is OBD1 or earlier doesn't have any emissions testing or anything.

 

I delted mine but still have it, somewhere in storage.