[Vwdiesel] PASSED! [was: Passing emissions tests (1.6L NA)]

[Tobin Copley]

I think Stinky is pushing for a name change...

I took it for testing today, and it measured 6.11 on the opacity test
(max allowable 30.00).  I was surprised it was that good.  I was
seriously delayed in getting to testing, as I had trouble getting to
the bus itself, had to work off stuck brake drums as I had to
check/clean the brakes before I moved it out of 6 months outside
storage, and had a dead battery requiring borrowing *two* sets of
el-cheapo jumper cables (had to connect them in parallel to get enough
current transfer).

The testing centre closed at 5:00, and I managed to get rolling by
4:00.  As I had only a one-day insurance on it, I had to make a run for
it.  I ran it up a 4-block-long 25-30% hill absolutely matted a couple
of times, but the traffic elsewhere was heavy and slow so I couldn't
really run it hard.  I ran it on old fuel, without any adjustments to
the engine whatsoever.  I took it in for testing with only 8 miles on
it since coming out of storage.

The test is run on a dyno with a computer screen in front of the
testing "driver" in which he has to keep a pointer on the screen within
a narrow band, and the band goes up and down to simulate different
loads at different road speeds.  The "driver" at the testing centre
stalled the engine straight off by trying to start in 3rd up a "hill".
It is not easy to stall my diesel westy's engine, but he did it.
Remember I put only 8 miles on it since jumping the dead battery?
Well, they had to jump it right on the dyno.  When the little starter
cart they had strained to start the diesel, the guy went to connect the
clamps directly to each battery terminal--I stopped him, insisted I do
both the connections and the start attempt myself, telling him (with a
gathering group of workers) that I prefer to keep my battery acid
*inside* my battery, thankyouverymuch.  Oy, vey, it's amazing these
guys haven't hurt themselves blowing up batteries!

So, now I have insurance for the summer, and a camper parked outside
ready to go.  Oh, it might need a new battery (under warranty).  And I
have a new quite loud growly/grinding noise independent of the engine,
clutch, gear selection, drivetrain load, or brake load--a wheel bearing
I suspect.  But problem for another day!

Thanks for all the advice list folks sent along--I loved hearing the
ideas, and I'm going to try some of the additive suggestions this
summer for sure.

Camping is within grasp!

T.


On Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at 08:40  AM, jd_boldt wrote:

> --- In Audi-VW-Diesels at yahoogroups.com, maded <maded at g...> wrote:
>> Tobin,
>>
>> Don't worry- be happy.  Judging from the Seattle test the diesel
> test is
>> quite generous and weighted for year of mfg..  Since they are set
> correctly,
>> leave all your settings alone and just run it on Biodiesel.  If you
> don't
>> know where to get it do an internet search, there probably is a co-
> op on the
>> mainland there somewhere.
>>
>> When my Westy was set up like yours it passed even though it spewed
> clouds
>> of smoke on uphill pulls.
>>
> agreed, (don't worry)I have only had one that was even over 1/10th of
> allowable limit, and WA uses a Opacity meter + dyno, The last clown
> (emissions operator) killed it twice trying to shift to a high enough
> gear to lug it real well  The tach pick-ups don't work too hot, must
> be looking for a coil signal when plugged in Cig lighter, so that
> means they have to call for a supervisor to enter a rpm exemption,
> then you get the third degree as they find it had to believe it's a
> diesel.  Last test took over 1 hour (and I live a few hundred feet
> from a 'non-emission' county)  Of course the system is MS-based, so a
> few reboots are necessary, one when they first enter it as a gas, and
> try to do a vacuum test on your diesel cap, then when the manager
> needs to 'trick' the computer into allowing you the 'priviledge' to
> test.
>
> the Bio would be a sure way to pass, if you fail at first, just make
> sure you do the bio switch correct (new fuel filter...)
>
> The Stanadyne, and a good hard drive will help, after sitting in line
> for an hour waiting for your turn, a couple fast revs will
> help 'clear the air' BTW, do this after you drive in the building,
> that tends to help convince them its a diesel  ;o)
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ---------------------~-->
> Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important
> Questions.
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/gkiolB/TM
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>