Diesel Emissions Testing for 8,501 lb.+ trucks on the way in NEW JERSEY

[Thunderbolt]

I had a long and at times heated conversation with a representative on the NJ Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP) yesterday. I asked him for more details on the proposed Emissions testing of diesel trucks with mfg GVWR of 8,501 or more.



Although he wasn't full of details he explained that the DEP was experimenting with three types of tests. The first test is a static snap test. This consists of placing a opacity sensor in the tailpipe/stack and snapping the accelerator pedal to the floor for 2-3 secs. for between 3 and 6 repetitions. The second test is a rolling test. Same sensor in the pipe/stack except that the driver would accelerate down a 100' track. The third test is being called a stall test. As it was explained to me, it would be basically like the second test except it would be a power-brake type of action rather than rolling. Used only with automatic transmission equipped trucks, same sensor, wheels chocked, transmission in drive, brakes applied, roll-on the accelerator. (The third test during the trial period has already resulted in a burn-out here at the parking lot where they are conducting the tests. )



At the present time these emissions tests are "voluntary" while they attempt to gather data and validate the testing procedure. Their goal is to conduct 1,000 tests of 8,501 lbs and up trucks during the next month at one location. (This is by the way the Carney's Point Weigh Station at I-295 N/B MP 2. 9)



I pressured the rep from DEP as to why these tests were necessary. He replied that they were attempting to achieve "Inspection Equality" meaning that gas powered passenger cars regardless of weight class and diesel powered trucks in excess 18,000 lbs. are required to pass emissions test along with the annual/bi-annual safety inspection while currently the trucks from 8,500-18,000 lbs. are only required to pass a safety inspection.



When I asked him about the cost of the test he said that it wasn't clear yet whether the current system of private garages conducting the test at a cost of roughly $72. 00 on top of the $96. 00 registration fee or a test in conjuction with the state safety inspection at the State Inspection Station paid for from funding through the vehicle registration fees. ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT IT WILL COST THE CITIZENS OF NJ MORE MONEY!



Whatever happened to punishing those who do the wrong thing?

It feels to me like the politicians are just trying to collect revenue to help support all the public assistance programs NJ has. #@$%! Work for a living! Try it! You can actually pay your own way if you try!



The DEP guy didn't appreciate me singing "'cause I'm the Tax man, yeah I'm the Tax man. . " to him.



It's time to revolt against this CRAP!

 

[Oasis-3]

Good thing he didn't sing I fought the law and the law won back to ya.

all the states are looking for ways to take the citizens money.



Cliff

 

[TFucili]

The most crooked state in the union.

all the states are looking for ways to take the citizens money.



Cliff

True enough, but NO STATE does it as well as The People's Republic of New Jersey. It is just unbearable. #@$%!





Glad I left:-laf

 

[JJPage]

Hey, all these peter ponytails in Washington State, nailed us with emissions testing almost 10 yrs ago.



All vehicles are exempt for the first 5 yrs, after that you have to test every other year, odd year vehicle in an odd year, even year vehicle in an even year. $16. 00/$20. 00 per vehicle cash.



Diesels have to do a snap test, mine is do in 09, guess we will see how the half power sw# on Smarty works!

 

[CDonaldson]

I used to live in PA, inspections were a BIG hastle. My Daughter used to live in MD, even bigger hastle. New Mexico has NO inspections at this time in my county, not in the forseeable future either. Just the way I like it, LESS gov, less license/registration fees. When I modded my exhaust, I did the ME but left the CAT. It will still pass the tests in the other states that have them, and in the future if NM starts testing, HELLO Smarty at 1/2 power!!!



I look for the DOT's to start doing roadside testing along with all the other hoops you have to jump through, probably will be the snap test.



CD

 

[Gene Arnold]

Although there is no state mandated testing (gas or diesel) in Idaho, my county requires it for both gas burners and diesels. My '96 has never had a problem passing, I just do the snap process, shell out the $15, and I'm on my way again.



It is really a joke at the expense of county residents since Boise is a magnet city for workers from many counties in the area and none of them have emissions testing. You should see some of the smokers from outlying counties.



Gene

 

[HOBrian]

Well, This bites the BIG one#@$%!

 

[steved]

I figure PA ins't too far behind... they've been talking about completely removing the "test" for newer cars and simply conducting a MIL and component check... but the garages balked because they had $15k invested in equipment (and that is my problem how??).

I kept my cat stored away for this very reason... figure one day I will need to reinstall it for emissions.

steved

 

[rbattelle]

Although he wasn't full of details he explained that the DEP was experimenting with three types of tests. The first test is a static snap test. This consists of placing a opacity sensor in the tailpipe/stack and snapping the accelerator pedal to the floor for 2-3 secs. for between 3 and 6 repetitions. The second test is a rolling test. Same sensor in the pipe/stack except that the driver would accelerate down a 100' track. The third test is being called a stall test. As it was explained to me, it would be basically like the second test except it would be a power-brake type of action rather than rolling. Used only with automatic transmission equipped trucks, same sensor, wheels chocked, transmission in drive, brakes applied, roll-on the accelerator. (The third test during the trial period has already resulted in a burn-out here at the parking lot where they are conducting the tests. )

Does anyone else think these are a little abusive to the truck? There's a good reason I don't floor my truck in neutral for 2-3 seconds - I don't think it's a good thing to do to your engine!



Ryan

 

[CSkal]

^^^^^What he said, it can't be good for it, governor or no governor. But, if it has to be done maybe a block under the skinny pedal would work as has been suggested before...

 

[BGarofalo]

NJ is broke. Thats what it works out to. Politicians are tossing as many revenue raisers out as possible to bring some much needed money back to the state. The problem is that us as residents bear the brunt of all their revenue campaigns. I still get ****** every year when I get a bill for $165 to renew the registration for my non-commercial pickup truck. It really does cost too much to live here anymore. I feel bad for you 12 valve bombers out there. At least my third gen I can bring it back to stock fairly easily for testing.

 

[TFucili]

Will the last person out of New Jersey please turn out the lights?

 

[master1578]

Just so you guys know, Pennsylvania is closed... .

 

[RJWEST]

Left the NE 8 years ago,
Please, if you leave NJ, don't bring any Liberal Tax and spend Habits with you,

NO Vehicle INSPECTIONS IN FLORIDA, for now...

 

[CSkal]

Just so you guys know, Pennsylvania is closed... .

Like my wife says, they should close down the gap! :-laf

 

[drag racer]

Out here in AZ they have had the snap idle test for a long time. It is the most riduculous BS I have ever seen. For those of you yet to experience the fun, it is a total of 6 on/off the floor cycles - 3 for "calibration" of the sensor, and 3 for the test, and the duration while on the floor ain't no 3 seconds - it's more like 5 or 6!! Thank God these Cummins are hell-bent stout, cause that's the hardest my truck works is during that stupid arse test. Oh yea, and it is EVERY year here after the 5-year exemption when new. Nothing but a revenue generator for the state. The opacity limit is 40% - my truck has never been more than 5%.

 

[tlgdiesel]

In Las Vegas NV anything diesel up to 10,000 gvw requires emission testing. They changed the cut off from 8500 gvw about 3 or 4 years ago. They are required every year unless the truck is new and then you have 2 years before you have the first test then every year after that. In all of Las Vegas we only have 4 stations that can test diesels. Our tests aren't so backwoods the truck is strapted to a dyno and loaded while you accelerate to 40mph. The opacity is checked durring that process. I think I would have a problem with the snap test I wonder what jack@$$ came up with that test.

 

[rbattelle]

I don't suppose protesting the "snap test" in writing and requesting an exemption because it's unhealthy for your expensive engine would have any effect?

Here in Ohio (well, Greene and Montgomery counties, at least), they eliminated all emissions testing last year! They would always cite how 92% of all vehicles passed. Well, after bragging about that for several years, people finally got fed up with the whole thing and started asking "why are 100% of us required to pay the money and get this test when you're only catching 8% of people?"

And besides that, of those 8% that were caught, most of them got waivers so they didn't have to pass the test. See, if you fail it and then spend $300 to try (successfully or not) to meet the requirements, you got a waiver.

In the end, the program was "successfully" removing 1. 6% of all vehicles tested for being out-of-compliance. Of those 1. 6%, it's impossible to say how many were taken off the road, and how many were simply re-registered in a county that doesn't require emissions testing.

The whole program was a complete farse. It accomplished nothing except robbing the public of $20 every other year. In the end, they finally got rid of it. Thank God.

Ryan

 

[tgordon]

No wounder I keep moving west into the states with fewer people. Heaven forbid your wounderful leaders of th estate who keep wanting to add all the wounderful programs take a pay cut to help out the budget problems.



My question is if they go to the final test, aka the brake tourque test, what do the trucks with a standard transmission do? At least you guys in LV have a test that is real world and makes some sense to use.



Troy

 

[HOBrian]

I can see it now... (Performance company Name) Our new emissions saver, Tired of the inspection guy beating the life out of your truck? Try our new Power robber!!!!!!!! This little box will recalibrate your trucks throttle to only give 25%, saving your truck from the beating of it's life.