Post your experiences with Emissions laws in your state

[Ludachris]

I keep seeing smog discussions pop up here and there. It would be nice to build a thread where everyone who has had difficulty passing their state emissions test can post their experiences. Let's assume that all of your emissions equipment, if hooked up, was in good working order. We don't want to hear "my EGR valve was bad". That's a given. We're more interested in hearing what visual mods under your hood drew a red flag for your smog official, or what mods you have done that prevented you from passing the actual sniffer test (like cams, etc). If you haven't had a bad experience, and your car is heavily modded, let us know too (unless you know a buddy who passes your car - then we don't care).

This thread should serve two purposes:

1. To help those of us that want to know how far we can take our cars and still be able to pass the sniffer test, even if we can't necessarily pass the visual test in our state.

2. What visual mods prevented your car from being tested. We all know that CA has some of the most strict smog laws, and many shops will not even test your car if they see parts under your hood that do not look factory-installed.

Let's hear it guys. For those in Canada, post about Canadian emissions laws here:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165531

 

[VtecRex]

In Maryland (Anne Arundel County) you get a waiver if your car is too low to "safely" run on the rollers.

 

[Black91TSiAWD]

In NY they just passed a new law that made it mandatory for all state licensed inspectors to buy these new inspection setups(like $2600 I believe it was, and if you dont buy it, you cant do inspections anymore) linked directly to albany, to inspect all cars with OBDII '96 and up. I know alot of guys that just stopped doing inspections all together because of this. I imagine this is going to cause some problems for tuners in NY, were starting to act more and more like california as the years go by.

As far as me having any trouble getting inspections, haven't had to yet with the talon, but one of my guys will still pass her for me. I just find it hard to wait an hour for an inspection, knowing damn well you're going to fail. I pay $20 for a sticker and all I need is decent tires, a by-the-book inspection is only $12, but you can fail for having one rotor out of spec. Just ask around, there are mechanic's out there that dont play by the rules, they just dont advertise.

Dont know if you find this helpful or not, just thought I'd throw it out there

 

[SCdsmer]

I live in SoCal and recently had my car smogged....it sucked....but i passed. Mod list is big16g, fuel pump, safc, exhaust..etc etc. It took me 3 times to pass. The only thing the smog dudes noticed was my k&n filter. It's a good idea also to have your upper IC piping powdercoated black...looks more like "OE". The best thing's that helped me to pass were; new cat,plugs/wires, and running a can of seafoam though the engine.

John

 

[Darksyne]

In Maryland (Anne Arundel County) you get a waiver if your car is to low to "safely" run on the rollers.

This is correct.

You can also get a waiver for running large diameter rims with little tire. (The roller centering mechanism touches the tire, if you have upgraded rims then it will touch the rims.)

Also if you are AWD go during the busiest time (Weekdays after 5, Weekends from 11-2) and make sure you do NOT go in the special AWD lane. If they are that busy they will not make you switch lanes, therefore tailpipe test and no one drives your car.

I used to work at an emissions station back in HS

I have good stories regarding Ferrari's coming in

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Here in Arizona there are only state controlled emissions centers.

If you are 96+ only an ODB-II test is done

If you are 90-95:

AWD=Only an idle test
FWD=They will put you on the rollers

They are picky on having lines going from the valvecover to the intake and the charcoal canister to the intake and they will also completely check for EGR hook ups.


There is no "inspection" in Arizona. They don't car about rim size, lowering, or whether your horn or blinkers work, only emissions testing.

I had trouble passing emissions with my HKS 264/272 combo, otherwise it hasn't been an issue with a high-flow cat and proper fuel tuning.

 

[toojung2die]

Here in Nevada they have gone to OBD-II testing for '96 and newer cars. In addition to checking the CEL, this test includes checking the continuous and non-continuous readiness monitors. You are allowed to have up to two non-continuous readiness monitors not ready.

Last year I failed because of three non-continuous readiness monitors. I drove the car according to the Mitsubishi TSB that describes the exact procedures for setting these monitors and I could not get them to set. The NHTSA recognizes the Eclipse as a car that has trouble getting these monitors to set ready during normal driving. There is no exemption because of this problem in my state. You cannot get a sniffer test for OBD-II cars.

I was forced to take my car to the Mitsubishi dealer for the smog test. Using the MUT-II diagnostic tool they were able to set the monitors to ready so the test would pass. After the test, all non-continuous monitors reverted to a not-ready state and have remained in this condition. I took the car back to the dealer and complained. The dealer said there is nothing wrong with my car and it is in great condition. They ran the test again using their equipment and showed me the printout with results. I guess I'm condemned to taking my Eclipse to the dealer every year and paying $118.00 to get my smog certificate.

I have made a few performance modifications to my car since this last smog test experience. None of my mods bypass or disable the factory smog equipment. Nevada does not fail a vehicle for modifications as long as the mods do not defeat any government required smog system.

 

[TurboDSM86]

here in wisconsin it seems to be a joke and a game. our inspection consists of a idle test/roller test for FWD, and only an idle test for AWD. they do not check for anything like cat converters, aftermarket parts, and even anything safety related on AWD and FWD. there is really no safety check at all. there is a lot of pockets in wisconsin that dont have to take emissions. what most people do is register their car and say they store it in a non emissions county. the dmv knows its going on and its like a big game. i live in an emissions county and say i store my car 20 miles down the road in a non emission county. its a big great joke. im scared whats coming up though, emissions are gonna own the country.... its just a hunch feeling

 

[Generation X]

Here in Arizona there are only state controlled emissions centers.

If you are 96+ only an ODB-II test is done

If you are 90-95:

AWD=Only an idle test
FWD=They will put you on the rollers

They are picky on having lines going from the valvecover to the intake and the charcoal canister to the intake and they will also completely check for EGR hook ups.


There is no "inspection" in Arizona. They don't car about rim size, lowering, or whether your horn or blinkers work, only emissions testing.

I had trouble passing emissions with my HKS 264/272 combo, otherwise it hasn't been an issue with a high-flow cat and proper fuel tuning.

Hey L2RTSiAWD I'm curious as to what you did to pass with your cams? I'm currently running the same cams, and I keep getting a CEL. They just started doing the 96 and newer OBD2 emissions testing here where I live. Do you think I could just reset the CEL and lean it out on the low settings on the AFC right before I go have the inspection? Thanks

 

[leet]

Here in Nevada they have gone to OBD-II testing for '96 and newer cars. In addition to checking the CEL, this test includes checking the continuous and non-continuous readiness monitors. You are allowed to have up to two non-continuous readiness monitors not ready.

*post trimmed to save length*

I have to do the EXACT same thing. I hate it

 

[quayzar590awd]

I live in Maryland wicomico county, our smog laws are basically none i have a full 3 inch exaust no cat and an 02 housing with atmosphere dump my car 90 tsi awd sounds like a dump truck, once you get your car inspected and tagged you cn do what you want no going back to get it inspected again unless you get a repair order. one of my friends has a 02wrx his exaust is a 3 inch down pipe with an electronis shutter that he can open to dump the exaust right out of the down pipe and the flat4's are one of if not the loudest motors on earth and he drives it like that past barney 5's all day so its not that bad here

 

[baxsom]

this is one of the few things i like about san antonio

i took mine to get the safety inspection
the guy got in and took it around to the back for the brake test
i heard the turbo spool the BOV vent and he pulled back in and said thank you
that will be 15 dollars
he didnt check the lights, horn, open the hood nothing just gave me my sticker

 

[94EclipseGST]

Illinois does OBD/II for 1996 and newer vehicles, and exhaust and dyno for older. No visual inspection either.

 

[GSX_RCR]

here in wisconsin it seems to be a joke and a game.

I agree. But they tried to put me on the rollers but couldn't find a spot to strap me down. So the guy calls the manager and he does the inspection himself. What an a$$ he was. I was waiting for them to pop the hood for the visual and sure 'nuff, they started pointing fingers at various parts. "Aw crap!", I thought. After the idle test, everything checks out. Manager comes in, looks over the numbers, they look perfect...then he takes out his PINK HIGHLIGHTER!

Guess what he failed me on? No aircan! Buhahaha! (I had a K/N filter) So I get back home, slap the can back on, drive back in 5 minutes and show them. Manager guy takes another look around the engine bay (what could I have done in 5 minutes?), then reluctantly signs it off. It's funny he didn't notice the HKS BOV, UIP (it was black though), the 2.5" O2 housing with an open dump (it extends downwards), breather filter, and all the lines not hooked up to the intake pipe.

 

[ClevSilverEclip]

Certain "smoggy" counties in Ohio require "E-Check" every other year.

'96+ = OBDII plug-and-play/pay
older (<20 yr) = tailpipe and treadmill

For some strange reason, my car failed to pass this year. NOx was just peeking over the line....

Aside from my factory cat (which now has about 130K and 13 years on it), nothing I've got on her would have affected (at least this portion of) emissions. The mechanics at the local E-Check recommended shop couldn't find why she was failing at all - gave a possible diagnosis of a POSSIBLY sluggish EGR valve and potentially that I needed to replace my factory cat. Did a MCCC run and replaced my EGR, and I passed - just barely. I think I'm going to get a new cat when I need to do this next time around.

A failing car gets 3 chances to pass "on the house." Third time is a "hard fail" and you'll have to pay the testing fee regardless of pass or fail. After you spend $300 on repairs (cumulative for each test), you can get a one-time exemption for the next two years, after that, no registration (at least not in the "smoggy" counties).

Otherwise, I've been under the impression that Ohio's pretty relaxed about emissions testing. Visual is a simple check that you've got a functioning gas cap and at least the resemblance of a cat (I guess OBDII cars running without a cat could get by if it was reset just prior to testing?).

Technicians driving on the rollers is a toss-up, though -- something you'll want to watch for or ask around about if you've got a manual-tranny car, especially notchy and touchy ones like our beloved DSMs.

-A

 

[JiveMasterT]

i bought my car with a 3 inch exhaust, no cats from a dealer. when i bought it i said "umm wont it fail inspection without a cat?" they said "bring it back here, it will pass."

havent had to have it inspected yet...

edit...
just got it inspected the other day. passed emissions just fine.

 

[billdo_83]

No emissions for Michigan ...... yet but I hear they are going to bring it back :thumbdown better enjoy it while we still can

Thats what I've heard to.
That better never happen though. It will be a sad day when they enforce emissions on the Motor Capital.

 

[allgripnoslip]

word

 

[DGajre777]

I ran a test pipe on my 92 Eclipse (when I had one) for a year and a half, never got pulled over for it. A friend of mind had a 300GT with test pipes, he didn't get pulled over either. There are no Emission tests in florida! If you buy a car from a dealer they do give you paperwork saying it meets Florida emissions.

 

[GSTnGermany]

I'm stationed in Germany right now, and if you're an American stationed here, there are no Emissions or any type of rules for your cars. You can pretty much do anything you want. Which is cool for me, because I'm from California, and the emissions there really suck!

So if you happen to be in the service and own a DSM.....germanys where you want to go!

 

[1320i]

I live in Nor Cal and the emissions here suck . I am moving to Oregon in August and there are no smogs required where I am moving too. I am waiting till then to start doing any serious mods, and many mods I will do.

 

[JessesTalon]

Oregon has been pretty good about emissions


I went to the emmisions place with a 3" turbo back mandrel bent exhaust w/ cat in but have flanges for testpipe.

put the stock cat in there right before emissions.

also had vented bov and nothing vented back into the intake system and all the lines just went to atmo that are suppose to go into the intake...

passed emmisions fine and no problems... although the guy doing it gave me a quick thumbs up when he did the visual cat inspection... but they have no awd dynos so they cant do your car under load here...

 

[Omega]

NJ has smog and dyno tests. They do the usual lights, horn, that sort of thing.. including a suspension test and fuel tank test. OBDII cars go through a ECU check. AWD cars are not dyno'd, only sniffed. OBDI cars are just sniffed and possibly dyno'd.

That said, when I went to a state run station, all they did was the OBDII check. No dyno, no smog check at all! This is inspection number 2 for the car in NJ. When I had it inspected (at the same place) the first time (car was from Mayland I think) they sniffed it on the dyno. They pop the hood, ooh and ahh over the toys, but if it passes they don't say anything about the upgrades.

NJ is stupid though. They keep changing what year cars need the different checks. The dyno's they use keep breaking down and all sorts of other problems. They keep screwing up so bad that new cars don't need inspection for 5 years.

I had the "tech's" drooling over my car when I went there... pretty funny. When I took my old 85 TA there for inspection the inspector (old chap, really cool), adjusted the carb a little and it passed the second time around.

I would pay to watch them test a hybrid. If the dyno wasn't working that day, they would be screwed!

 

[sherwinz28]

I know this isnt related to a DSM but my 96 Chevy Camaro Z-28 that has fully ported heads and a pretty big cam 230/236 on a 112 LSA passed easily at a TEST ONLY CENTER. Well at first it failed since he saw I had shorty headers but I came back like 30 minutes later with a CARB E.O. number from http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php. I also accidentally went to a TEST only center as I was trying to find the seediest place I could. I was thinking I would try to um slip him a 100 but that was a no go. He looked cool but man was he thoroughly looking over my car. Eventually he put it on the roller and it passed with flying colors. All my smog equipment was still hooked up so I knew I wouldn't fail visual except the headers and other bolt on crap I had. My only fear was failing the emmisions portion but no worries on the roller and above idle the car runs fine. My car is also untuned, as in it still has the stock factory tune with a big cam and heads...not sure if that helped any in passing. Oh well once the rest of my parts arive back from BJ I'll let you guys know how the Talon does. But so far on a rolling dyno emissions isn't much of a problem(with cams) as long as your smog equipment is working fine.

 

[Whitetal]

I smogged couple days ago. It failed. I bought my Talon from a friend just right after he smogged his car. It's finally been 2 years and it was time. When I bought it from my friend, it wouldn't pass smog. He paid some guy $300 to help it pass. I knew I was going to have problems when it was my turn. My results said the HydroCarbons were too high and the Nox was too high. The Nox was high enough to exceed the Gross Polluter limits. He told me I probably need a new cat and need to check the EGR. My Integra passed last month. I'm going to unbolt it's cat and use it to pass my car. Usually if your car doesn't pass, it's usually the cat that fails.