A rant

[John T]

Something seems off here. I thought state inspections were for emissions and DOT stuff. Might want to look into that.

Depends on the state.

Some states only test emissions testing
some states require a safety inspection.

some have both.

Some states only have safety inspections if you purchase the car from out of state or it's older than 30 years old. VIN check goes along with that.

 

[dirtydeed]

Depends on the state.

Some states only test emissions testing
some states require a safety inspection.

some have both.

Some states only have safety inspections if you purchase the car from out of state or it's older than 30 years old. VIN check goes along with that.

But wait, there's more...

Emissions testing requirement in PA is by county. Many rural counties do not require emissions. But all require the "safety" portion of the vehicle inspection.

 

[lynnmor]

But wait, there's more...

Emissions testing requirement in PA is by county. Many rural counties do not require emissions. But all require the "safety" portion of the vehicle inspection.

If your emissions are out of tolerance the check engine light will come on. That is a real joke charging to tell you that the light is on. Yes, many will try to explain it away but it is just another useless expense.

 

[Yooper]

Depends on the state.

Some states only test emissions testing
some states require a safety inspection.

some have both.

Some states only have safety inspections if you purchase the car from out of state or it's older than 30 years old. VIN check goes along with that.

After posting I looked up Pennsylvania inspection and sure enough, ball joints are part of it but it says refer to the manufacturer's specifications. So I look up ball joint specs for Silverado and gave up after a few dead ends.

 

[McMXi]

Some states only test emissions testing
some states require a safety inspection.

some have both.

And some have neither emissions nor safety inspections .... Montana for example.

 

[jyoutz]

And some have neither emissions nor safety inspections .... Montana for example.

NM only has emission inspection in our one urban county. AZ only has emission inspections in two urban counties.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

When I was a “budding mechanic” we had emissions testing here.

Man, “some people” made a lot of extra cash by passing people that failed (for an extra 20 that is )

The inspection consisted of hooking the “computer” up to the #1 plug wire, then stuffing the “sniffer” up the tailpipe and raising the rpm to 2000’ish for 30-45 seconds or so…….

Then it would print out a “pass or fail” report…...


Well, as rumor has it, there were “people” that figured out a “work around”.

I “heard” that if you pulled the sniffer out, and waved it in the area of the tailpipe, it would give you a “glowing report”.


On a totally unrelated/different topic, I sure wish I had bought silver/gold bars instead of Marlboro’s and Jack Daniels with my “extra cash” when I was younger……………..

 

[PoTreeBoy]

This has nothing to do with the original post except that it's a rant. With the recent storm damage, two phone wires were sagging over the road. Someone had pulled them to the side, but I managed to snag one with my antenna the second time. Yesterday, there was an AT&T truck in the road, fixing service to the house maybe 100' from these lines. So I stop and tell him about the lines, and some lines down near my shop that were never moved on a pole that broke years ago.

Young guy politely and earnestly tells me that those are fiber lines and that he'll check out the other. So I call the fiber company and put in a report. Later, a nagging question of why there would be two fiber lines prompts me to stop for a closer look. Hmmm, there's the fiber line up where it belongs. This is single circuit phone wire. Last night somebody 'snagged' the wires and solved the problem.

So, do some people think it's a virtue to tell a blatant, flat-footed lie? Go back to the shop and brag about pulling one over on an old man? BTW, this is not my first bad experience with this company.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Well, as rumor has it, there were “people” that figured out a “work around”.

I “heard” that if you pulled the sniffer out, and waved it in the area of the tailpipe, it would give you a “glowing report”.

I think this would be an urban myth, or possibly teletubbie generation software that is fooled by that. Oxygen levels would be way too high.

What works is sticking the nozzle into the exhaust of another car

If your emissions are out there is something wrong with your engine. Fix the fault. Better for your engine, better for the environment, better for your bank account long term..

 

[lynnmor]

When PA started the emissions testing they built expensive facilities all over the state and tailpipe sampling was the method. That turned out to be a fiasco and the state run facilities were quickly dismantled and the emissions game was turned over to private inspection stations. Now you don't suppose the lobby representing those stations had anything to do with that? The only testing done at the private stations is a quick test of the gas cap and a connection to the cars onboard computer. That "test" costs 30 to 40 dollars but at least you know that your check engine light is off. Total money making scam!

 

[skeets]

Yeah I heard of a shop, that I never found, had a car, that was junk but always passed the tail pipe emissions test, and for a double saw buck he would show you how even OLD JUNKERS could pass. Now this was just for education of course.

 

[Splinters and Sparks]

I remember those

When I was a “budding mechanic” we had emissions testing here.

Man, “some people” made a lot of extra cash by passing people that failed (for an extra 20 that is )

The inspection consisted of hooking the “computer” up to the #1 plug wire, then stuffing the “sniffer” up the tailpipe and raising the rpm to 2000’ish for 30-45 seconds or so…….

Then it would print out a “pass or fail” report…...


Well, as rumor has it, there were “people” that figured out a “work around”.

I “heard” that if you pulled the sniffer out, and waved it in the area of the tailpipe, it would give you a “glowing report”.


On a totally unrelated/different topic, I sure wish I had bought silver/gold bars instead of Marlboro’s and Jack Daniels with my “extra cash” when I was younger……………..

I remember those days in when I lived in Michigan. If I recall right, they ceased the tests in favor of ... was it "Ozone Action Days." They would announce them on the news and you were not supposed to get fuel in the heat of the day., or run un-necessary ice motors. lawn mowers, trimmers, etc..

Made it an honor system under threat of going back to the emissions testing.

 

[Splinters and Sparks]

The only testing done at the private stations is a quick test of the gas cap and a connection to the cars onboard computer. That "test" costs 30 to 40 dollars but at least you know that your check engine light is off. Total money making scam!

What do they test if you don't have a gas cap? Silverado's no longer have them.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Yeah I heard of a shop, that I never found, had a car, that was junk but always passed the tail pipe emissions test, and for a double saw buck he would show you how even OLD JUNKERS could pass. Now this was just for education of course.

So, what happend to your Silverado now (or have I missed that)?
You surely did not pay $4000 for two ball joints...

By the way: car condition and emissions do not necessarily correlate. Plenty wrecks still have good emissions and plenty fairly new cars fail.

 

[Scm]

This is Massachusetts solution to the "fraud":

New program also includes 5 cameras in each inspection bay
• 3 video wall mounted, 1 workstation mounted, 1 handheld
• Handheld camera used to take 4 mandatory pictures prior to all inspections-

The guy I used in NH told me a few years back that NH was going to adopt the same camera system as MA. He stopped offering inspections. Now, NH is trying to eliminate inspections altogether.

 

[TheOldHokie]

This is Massachusetts solution to the "fraud":

New program also includes 5 cameras in each inspection bay
• 3 video wall mounted, 1 workstation mounted, 1 handheld
• Handheld camera used to take 4 mandatory pictures prior to all inspections-

The guy I used in NH told me a few years back that NH was going to adopt the same camera system as MA. He stopped offering inspections. Now, NH is trying to eliminate inspections altogether.

I live MD and all semi-annual emission inspections are performed by dedicated state owned and operated inspection facilities. There are 24 x 7 "self-service" kiosks in addition to manned "full service" stations. For self service you simply drive up, pay the fee, plug the car in, and wait for test completion and printed results. Takes about 5 minutes.

Dan

 

[lynnmor]

What do they test if you don't have a gas cap? Silverado's no longer have them.

My guess is that they can read the gas cap status from the OBD-II connector, my Malibu reports a "check gas cap" at times that is likely caused by rapid changes in weather. I guess that the inspection station might be able to not only tell me if my check engine light is on but also alert me to the fact that my check gas cap message is on in case I didn't hear the alert tone. Well worth the $39.95 plus 6% sales tax.

 

[D2Cat]

My guess is that they can read the gas cap status from the OBD-II connector, my Malibu reports a "check gas cap" at times that is likely caused by rapid changes in weather. I guess that the inspection station might be able to not only tell me if my check engine light is on but also alert me to the fact that my check gas cap message is on in case I didn't hear the alert tone. Well worth the $39.95 plus 6% sales tax.

Vehicles without a gas cap have a spring loaded disc with a seal that moves down then the fuel nozzle is inserted. This set up is suppose to seal the tank.

If you have that type of fuel system and the warning comes on it indicates the seal i not sealing. Usually take a long neck funnel and wrap a thin rag around the end and spray the rag with WD40 and push and remove a dozen times. That cleans the dirt off and begins sealing again. This was a much bigger problem when this system first came out because the fuel fill area was lower and more susceptible to anything thrown up from the tires.

 

[John T]

I think this would be an urban myth, or possibly teletubbie generation software that is fooled by that. Oxygen levels would be way too high.

I remember years... and years ago... the urban myth was running the gas tank down to just about fumes and dumping in a few bottles of dry gas before you pull into the testing site.
seemed to work....


That said,
All my vehicles are now exempt from emissions testing. (over 25 years old)
The wifes Boobaru doesn't have to go either.... YET.

Over 4 years old they start wacking you for the $20.00 cash grab.

 

[Scm]

My neighbor was telling me we need these tests for safety and to keep the planet clean. I told her, most my life I didn't drive a car that would pass an inspection, but I always had a valid sticker.

You just need to know someone.