Re: [DIESEL] Diesel Emissions Checks

[eyvind.spangen@c2i.net (Eyvind Spangen)]

On Mon, 27 Sep 1999 15:18:08 -0400, you wrote:

>In the US, gas powered cars are required to have emissions checks for HC, CO, and NOx in air quality non-attainment areas (most major metropolitan areas).  Where I live, diesels are exempt from these inspections.  Anyone on the list have to have emissions inspections, and if so, what do they check for and how?  

All passenger cars have to go to inspection every 2 years. For cars
with diesel engines, they test soot, noise and emissions. They do it
by placing a probe in the exhaust and, (the most important) flooring
the accelerator in neutral.. For my car, this it just over 5000 rpm,
and I never rev it that high. I sometimes rev it to 4000, but not any
more. Many old diesel engines have "died" from this test, due to
timing belts breaking, rods thrown thru the block etc., so after a
series of "accidents" here, all diesel vehicles older than 1980
doesn't have to do this test - they only have to pass a visual
inspection of the exhaust at idle. (i.e. no black smoke at idle)

Gas powered cars also have to pass the emissions, I believe they use
the same method as the USA. 

My car almost failed due to somewhat weak brakes in the front compared
to the rear (on some surfaces, the rear can lock up before the front),
but they were good enough, and I will replace pads and discs and
overhaul the calipers on all 4 wheels in the spring. (I've retrofitted
rear disc brakes from a gas powered Audi 5000) Probably just a waste
of money, but it sure looks a lot better than the old, rusted drum
brakes.. :-)

ES