Passing an Emissions test

revhead347 said:

I'd dial it back about 3 psi and see if you can smell it in the exhaust. It's not going to hurt the car at the revs they are running it at. I wouldn't run around at full throttle though.

Kurt

Click to expand...

This trick works. But unfortunately did not let me pass. i tried three times.

1st try: idle @ 35psi. HC (Hydro carbons or unburnt fuel) at idle 570
2nd try: idle at 29psi. HC at idle 320
3rd try: Idle at 25 psi. HC at idle 350
1st and 3rd were at same two spots of same station.
2nd was a different two spots of the same station.

As you can see the results for 3rd attempt show something is not correct with the measurement. HC should be lower. Either there is something wrong with the equipment or equipment has a inherent variability in measurements. But that much variability (320 -to- 350 hc) when limit is just 220 is not acceptable. Thats approx 1/7th. Thats not tolerance, thats error.

Do these stations get calibrated like the gas pumps do? I want to go back and ask for their calibration. If not correctly calibrated they should refund me my money and pay for my wasted time. (i wish)


Emissions requirement is mandated at 220HC at idle. Also my rpm was a little over 1100 rpm, by about 90 or 100rpm. That sent them into overdrive... they brought out a spark detector (or whatever it is called) that connects to the spark plug wires. Its idl rpm for crying out loud. does a 100rpm difference matter so much?

No one raises a finger for all the lights running 24/7 with no soul in sight - local supermarkets, parking lots, private/govt offices, interstates, highways. just drive at 2am or so. Its like artificial daylight. All lights on, no one at home. wheres that power coming from? Isnt it primarily fossil?
Why isnt there a mandate for max wattage on these lights?
I drive my car for 7miles daily. Just fine me for my guzzler and move on. They even want a 1980s car to qualify. what a f'n charade, just put everyone on the bus (into the oblivion). With the number of horse farms around me, i should get a horse and drive that to work. They have to maintain the roads and have no way to collect taxes from me. tempting... it even works in the (unplowed) snow.

sorry about the rant.. i am frustrated.

I think it is time to get a normal closed loop or driveability tune for daily driving. At-least a tune that doesnt make it dump fuel at idle at a rate unacceptable by the almighty DOL.