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Emissions test facilities are such a joke...


beepbeepmyredjeep
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My MJ just failed emissions testing, because my readings were too low. Wha???

 

Here's the apparent reason which I found online:

Sample dilution failure

The CO + CO2 measurement was less than 6%, indicating that a valid exhaust sample could not be taken from the vehicle.

The vehicle has leaks in the exhaust system or improper engine adjustments.

 

Now, that makes sense now that I've read it. I'm not upset because it failed, I had a feeling it might, because it's been sitting for a while. However, what truly ticks me off is the "trained technician"'s knowledge of how their system works, or lack thereof.

 

First off, I should have known I was in trouble when the guy in front of my yelled out "This place is such a F***ing joke" as he drove off...

 

He handed me the report which states my emissions are below the state standards, but failed due to a dilution failure. I asked him what exactly caused it to fail.

"I don't know"

 

So, I ask him who would know.

"Your mechanic."

 

:fs1:

 

So, I'm starting to get a little mad. I ask him "Well, is there anyone here who would know?"

 

He calls over the customer service representative. I ask him what it means.

 

"Oh, you have an exhaust leak".

 

I ask him how the computer knows that.

 

His answer? "I don't know. Sorry."

 

Wow, really? You're supposed to be trained on how to use this expensive equipment, and you don't even know how it works?

 

Needless to say, I told him I agreed with the guy in front of me, and left.

 

I will be calling and filing a complaint with the Maryland VEIP program tomorrow, and inform them that their technicians are untrained, and do not even understand the results of the tests they are running. If they don't know how the stuff works, how will they ever recognize if equipment is malfunctioning or providing false readings?

 

:mad:

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This is the one time it seems that living in NC is an advantage. Any vehicle older than 95 (?) doesn't have to pass emissions, just a visual inspection. I'm really glad I don't have to worry about all of that. Good luck with yours.

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One thing Illinois got right... No vehicle inspections, and only if its OBDII do you have to do emissions. At that, all they do is plug in a scan tool, to make sure you don't have a check engine light on. No engine light is a pass. Anything pre-'96, you don't get hassled.

 

But the overpriced plates, taxes, and tolls I'll give to another state.

 

Did you know our governors make the license plates in Illinois?

 

Rob

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About 15 years ago in Nashville I had a friend whos Thunderbird could not pass emissions testing. The car had dual exhaust so he put 4 new plugs in the right side of the engine and removed the left tail pipe in front of the axle. Had the car retested and they only put the probe in the right pipe and the car passed because they were only testing 4 of the 8 cylinders. At the same time I had a 1975 Camaro that would pass all of the sniffers tests but I couldnt get it to pass because it failed the visual inspection because it had no CAT. I asked the guy if I needed a complete new exhaust and he said no just put a Cat on it. I asked him if the dual exhaust would pass inspectin if I put two Cats on and He informed me that my car didnt have dual exhaust it came from the factory with one Cat and thats all I needed. The inspector couldnt tell the car had dual exhaust!!!

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