Anyone want to talk CARBs?

[jarmar]

Yep, a lot of folks are talking about carbs these days, but I have a question about California Air Resources Board. I thought the new 04. 5 was to be 50 state compatible, but apparently there is still some difference.



1) I ordered my truck in Carson City, Nevada, but the order sheet has included a special code because I will register it in California (YCF-Emissions Border States - Calif)



2) The following is posted on TDR: "If you live in California, or any of the Northeastern states that adopted the California emissions model (Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine), your shopping area is limited to your home state and the states bordering your home state. For example, Californians can order their truck from dealers in California, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada only. "



QUESTION:

What is the difference between a CARB approved California 04. 5 Cummins and a non-California engine?



jr

 

[rbattelle]

Someone will correct me if this is wrong, but I think the only difference is there's a sticker on the engine data plate specifically stating it is a CARB-certified vehicle.



There may also be a slight difference in the injectors. According to the 03 service manuals, California trucks can detect a stuck/sticking/malfunctioning injector pintly, but the non-Ca trucks cannot.

 

[jarmar]

Thanks rbattelle for the reply.



You may be right, but doesn't seem odd that the only difference would be just a note on the engine sticker. You would think that it would be so easy to make a one size fits all sticker which could include the California CARB approval.



As far as the injector thing, why not make them all alike. I guess what I am looking for is an answer to the question, is there some disadvantage to owning a truck with a CARB approved engine, some difference which would be noticed in performance?



jr

 

[nickleinonen]

higher price maybe?

 

[jarmar]

Originally posted by nickleinonen

higher price maybe?

Interesting idea, but this was not my experience. No one seems to know the answer to this question. I asked the dealer today and they did not know.



jr

 

[evldsl]

Ok the carb vehicle is the same has any other state except the Dodge Corp has got a deal with the State of california dealers to keep all vehicles that have been qualified to be sold in the state of California due to the california air quality laws and border states such as Oregon, Nevada, Arizona to allow a sticker and certification paperwork stating it's a california legal vehicle. Don't listen to any other bull this is done so the dealers dont loose customers to other states due to lower prices. Why else would the state of California allow vehicles from out of state in to register after 7500 miles. The federal air program is nation wide the cal air program is pocket wide and deep.

 

[jarmar]

Originally posted by bellyscraper

The federal air program is nation wide the cal air program is pocket wide and deep.

Well, interesting idea and you may be correct, especially since there seems to be no other explanation. If this is true, isn't it puzzling that there seem to be no physical differences between the California and non-California engine?



Thanks for the response. I have just been trying to learn if there are any actual advantages/disadvantes to owning a truck with a "California approved" sticker on the engine.



jr

 

[AKAMAC]

CARB requires that Manufacturer warranty the emission system for 100,000 miles. Don't know about other states.

 

[rbattelle]

I know the CA trucks can detect a stuck injector pintle... a feature I'd like to have, personally. From the Powertrain Diagnostics Manual, page 10:



"Fuel Injectors - On a CARB certified vehicle, the ECM can detect if a fuel injector is clogged, or if the pintle is sticking. On an EPA certified vehicle, the ECM cannot detect if a fuel injector is clogged, or if the pintle is sticking. "



This is the only feature of a CARB-certified vehicle that I'd like to have.

 

[jarmar]

Originally posted by rbattelle

feature of a CARB-certified vehicle...

You probably have something here. It probably is just subtle differences like the one you quoted.



I know very little about this, but I would assume that this is a software difference and could have been included on every ECM. Thanks for the information.



So, if you own a truck with a CARB ECM how would you know if a injector is clogged or if the pintle is sticking?



jr

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by jarmar



So, if you own a truck with a CARB ECM how would you know if a injector is clogged or if the pintle is sticking?

The dealer can tell with a DRB-III. I don't think it throws a code, but I could be wrong.

 

[jarmar]

Response from Dodge

I wrote to Dodge customer service with the following question:

"What are the differences between the CARB California diesel engine and the non-CARB engine?"



And I received this response:



"As of January 2004, the new Cummins "600" which is the Cummins Diesel engine offered in the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty meets 50-state emissions requirements. Previously, the high out-put Cummins Diesel was not available in California.



"Information regarding emissions for your state can be obtained through

your Department of Motors Vehicles. "



OK, they don't know either!



jr