Diesel Emissions test?

[Bandit1]

I heard when i got my CTD that diesel trucks were waved from the emissions tests that all gasers have to go through. my dad told me the other day that starting here in the next year or so all diesels are going to have to be checked for emissions. does anyone know what is going to happen??

 

[Rick Comenzo]

Diesel Emission Testing

Bandit1, Here in N. Y. State, all trucks(diesel) over 8600 lbs. weight rating are required to have a smoke opacity test. The test involves connecting a smoke opacity meter to the exhaust pipe, rev the engine 3 times to 2000 rpm to pre condition, then 3 more blasts to 2000+ rpm. Also the oil temp is measured and a sensor is placed on the crankshaft to detect engine rpm. The standard here is 40%, any higher means failure. Of the 100 or so trucks I have inspected recently, about 50 have failed. Usually we add a fuel conditioner if the trucks fail,this seems to help, the newer trucks usually pass, the older smokers fail. Hope this helps..... Rick.

 

[Dr.Kayak]

None in Kalifornia

My Diesel does not have to emissions tested like the gassers do. I was told they have to be tested when sold. I don't know if this is true. I wonder if you can get busted for having a non-stock exahust system when the emissions test the truck

 

[rrl989]

Rick C,



Used to take my 3500 out to Riverhead DC who were the only ones around setup for the test. Recently went to Thomas DC who told me that all I needed was a safety and they do the 3500's all the time that way (I tried to explain the new law applied to 3500's, but I figured why fight them ?) Saved some $ and still have a valid inspection sticker. Do you perform this diesel emissions test ? or where do you go ?



RonL

 

[Rick Comenzo]

Diesel Emissions Testing

Hello Happy New Year! RonL, I work for a N. Y. State Government agency, the emissions testing I do is for our fleet of trucks, gassers and diesels, from 3500 pickups to semis. New vehicles are exempt for the first year from testing as the trucks are certified by the manufacturer to be emissions compliant. The inspection regulations say that all diesels in the NY metro area with a gross weight rating of 8600 lbs. and above will require an opacity test. At this point it is the inspectors decision if the truck needs to be tested, the tester for smoke testing is not tied into the current computer system, so it is easy to "make it pass" if need be. However this will change as the system is upgraded. My 93 is registered under 8600 lbs. I know one day I will get put on the scales! Rick.

 

[RKelly]

Massachusetts just started doing it too.

The opacity limit is also 40.

My '99 came in at 0. 5 Well under the limit. My engine is stock with about 53,000 miles.

Good luck.

ray

 

[amsoilman]

Here in the State of Utah, there are some Counties that require Emission testing of Diesels. In Davis County, this requires putting the truck on a Dyno and running the truck up to 50 MPH, then loading the Dyno to get the trucks HP rating to 40 Percent of the rated HP. PM 10's are required to be below 50 PPM as I recall. Where I live this is not required yet!





Wayne

 

[Rick Comenzo]

Diesel Emissions Test

DrKayak, to answer your question as to non stock exhaust for emissions testing, the regulations say in this state, REJECT if muffler or catalytic converter are removed,(gas and diesel) as well as all the other emission equipment on gas engines(egr, pcv, pre heated air etc. ). I am sure if some vehicle inspector or Law enforcemment agency wants to nitpick your truck, they will find something wrong, these rules also apply to Federal EPA as well. The primary interest with exhaust systems on truck inspections are exhaust gas leakage under the cab,and general exhaust leaks. Hope this helps. Rick.

 

[Mackie007]

Re: Diesel Emission Testing

Originally posted by Rick Comenzo

Bandit1, Here in N. Y. State, all trucks(diesel) over 8600 lbs. weight rating are required to have a smoke opacity test. The test involves connecting a smoke opacity meter to the exhaust pipe, rev the engine 3 times to 2000 rpm to pre condition, then 3 more blasts to 2000+ rpm. Also the oil temp is measured and a sensor is placed on the crankshaft to detect engine rpm. The standard here is 40%, any higher means failure. Of the 100 or so trucks I have inspected recently, about 50 have failed. Usually we add a fuel conditioner if the trucks fail,this seems to help, the newer trucks usually pass, the older smokers fail. Hope this helps..... Rick.

Rick,



The 50% failure rate for the diesels seem's very high, plus when they fail what can a diesel owner do to correct it?



Here in Pima County AZ, we have to get emission tested also. I have owned diesels since 1987. The test here consists of a visual inspection, then they position your vehicles drive wheels on a set of rollers, bring the vehicle speed up to 55mph and take the opacity reading. The highest opacity reading I ever had was 6%, at that level you could clearly see the smoke, I thought for sure I would fail. Out of curiousity I asked the inspector do they fail many diesels, he replied most failures are from altered equipment. As in a missing muffler or catalitic converter. Failing from opacity readings was very low maybe only 1% or 2%.



Of course we do not use the snap test here & I pray we will not go to that type of a test. I believe the high failure rates from this type of test is it does not represent the normal driving habits of a diesel driver. Pushing the diesel beyond the normal throttle rates a driver uses results in clearing out the carbon/soot deposits, I believe that is what a snap test does.



No flame intended just trying to understand how an emission test can fail 50% of the diesel traffic on the road.

 

[Rick Comenzo]

Diesel emissions Testing

Mackie007, I agree with you on the snap tests do not represent actual driving conditions. The vehicles I inspect are part of a large State fleet, some are new, others date to the 70's, and several of the trucks travel less than 2000 miles per year. If these trucks fail, we have used several fuel conditioners, get the truck very hot and then retest. If the trucks refail, we pull the injector nozzles for a check or a replacement swap. If this still doesn't make the truck pass, after checking all other possibilities, out comes the injection pump for recalibration/rebuild. We don't deal with the public, as this is all a fleet operation. Also consider the fuel this agency purchases is on low bid contract, low cetane rating, very poor quality, and I feel this is a major part of the problem. We are continually changing out filters loaded with water and dirt. the usual opacity readings I see on a snap test are in the 35% range, the non electronic motors, older trucks from the 80's. The newer electronically controlled motors see 10-15%, pass easily. how does your State test the larger trucks or semi's, must have a very large roller setup, as the dyno we use for gassers will accept trucks to 5500lbs. Sorry for the long post, hope this clears up a question or two, Rick.

 

[chuck3]

I've had mine tested every year since I bought it, no problems passing don't even unplug my EZ anymore. They run it at 40% power then take it to WOT. on dyno. Passes with flying colors, not even close.

 

[Mackie007]

Thanks Rick,



Yes that helps me understand the failure rate. As far as the emissions for the big rigs here, I have no clue. I've only been through the non-commercial testing stations.



Thanks,

 

[Sandmann]

Downstate - New York Metropolitan Area

The emissions testing program has been upgraded to meet federal requirements. Vehicles registered in the NYMA will now be required to pass a more stringent emission inspection.



Emissions tests will be performed at the same licensed test-and-repair inspection facilities where safety inspections are performed. The tests will be required annually and/or when a change of vehicle ownership occurs.



An OBD check on model year 1996 or newer vehicles and an anti-tampering visual inspection of the air pollution control devices will be performed.

Model year 1981, or newer vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or less, will be checked for gas leaks and excessive emissions with special equipment purchased by the inspection station owner.

Vehicles 25 years old to model year 1981 and gas-powered vehicles over 8,500 lbs. will undergo a more lenient test for emissions.

Vehicles less than two years old, diesels, electric vehicles and those with historic or farm equipment registration are exempt.

Test results will be sent electronically to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Failed vehicles may be repaired at the same facility.



For more information, call DEC at (518) 402-8401.



Ron

 

[Bob Cochran]

Well I live in Maricopa County in Arizona we had just started using the snap test, OH JOY!!! I had not had to have mine tested yet as it is a 2001 and not necessary because on 2 year test cycle. Now I learned in this County going to start OBD test. Lot of conversation that a vehicle could be putting out bad polution at exhaust yet pass this test. Also the opposite getting false failures with the actual exhaust emmisions is okay and fail OBD they don't do both. Also a lot of possible gouging possible on what to repair to correct. New computer, new Injector pump, etc. when it may not be necessary and actually failed OBD and could pass exhaust? A lot of people feel it will be more costly to repair if fail OBD $1000's instead of $100's.



The best part is the new test is supposed to be faster but they will be charging more, guess have to pay for new computers!!!!

 

[Todd G]

Last year I went through the snap-test here in Phoenix. I have my fuel plate and AFC housing full forward with 370 injectors. I figured I'd fail the first time through but it would give me a reference point for adjustment. Here the second test is free so I had nothing to lose. I passed easily. Here's how:



They ask you if you would like to operate the vehicle or should they. I said I'll do it. They make you watch this TV thingy that says when to put it to the floor. You hold it pinned for 5 seconds. They do this 5 times. 5 seconds is a long time with your diesel at or above redline. Anyhow, instead of just hammering the throttle to the floor, I eased into it. The amount of smoke is greatly reduced when you do it this way. Try it sometimes. The techs that run the tests had no clue what I was doing.



I asked them if any diesels fail the test and they said maybe one a week. They are too busy trying to get away from the screaming diesel to care. There was an old Mercedes 240D in front of me in line that smoked big-time even at idle. The tech said it passed the test. Emissions testing is a joke and we are the ones who pay.

 

[Rick Comenzo]

Diesel Emissions Testing

Thanks Sandmann for getting the regulations. Rick.