Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Déjà Vu All Over Again, Again
November 2009—the world of the automotive aftermarket has its annual gathering at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association convention. Two years ago (Issue 60, page 50-52) I covered a meeting that was a part of the 2007 SEMA Show with EPA representatives, California Air Resource Board (CARB) personnel, aftermarket vendors and SEMA liaisons.
The topic of discussion in November 2007: What is the process (test procedure) that aftermarket vendors should use to submit their products for CARB testing, approval and the resulting emissions stamp-of-approval which is known as a CARB executive order (EO number)?
The topic of discussion in November 2009: You guessed it, the same thing.
In preparation for this article I went back to Issue 60 and reread the text. In the past two years a lot has happened, but nothing has changed. A lot has happened: the CARB folks and the aftermarket were on the verge of a testing protocol until the question of how tuning programmers would affect the truck's auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs). Take one step forward and two steps back. Should you want to read the assorted details, the Issue 60 text is still relevant. My impression: It is almost like the stalemate of not having a test procedure was/is wanted by the CARB personnel.
SEMA liaisons have been to this dog-and-pony show before. Need examples: look at all the chips, programmers, intake manifolds, camshafts, fuel systems parts, etc. , that exist with CARB EO numbers in the aftermarket for gasoline engines. But, they've not been able to get the diesel players (CARB and vendors) onto the same page.
Aftermarket vendors seemed concerned, but internal bickering about how the test procedure should work is still a point of contention.
Again, the CARB personnel did not seem to care ‘cause they're gonna do what they're gonna do. And—oops it is like you are back in high school again; the term paper now has a due date, January 1, 2010.
That's right folks; the state of California, through the emissions testing facilities at the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) will require a diesel smog check effective January 1, 2010. Ouch.
So What! I Live in Texas (or any one of the other 50 states).
You live in Texas. I am in Georgia. What does all of this emissions inspections stuff have to do with those outside the Republic of California?
The obvious answer (Does this question even need to be addressed?) is that what happens in California somehow happens in other states that follow their lead. If past history indicates future activity, look for the states of New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont to follow California's lead. However, as you'll note in the quirks that are a part of California's inspection process (items 7a, 7b, and 7c), the diesel smog chick in your state may be better defined with less subjectivity. Time will tell.
Just the Facts, Please
All right, just the facts:
California Diesel Smog Check
1. Required by Assembly Bill 1488 signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.
2. All 1998 and newer model-year diesel-powered vehicles 14,000 pounds or less GVWR are included.
3. Initial registration and change-of-ownership inspections begin January 1, 2010, and notification for biennial (every other year) inspections will begin in February/March for renewals due in April/May.
4. About 540,000 vehicles will be subject to Smog Check for initial registration, change-of-ownership, and biennial inspections in order to complete the registration process.
5. No “New Diesel Vehicle” exemptions will be allowed. Every truck gets tested.
6. No tailpipe emissions test will be required. (Sounds odd, doesn't it? See #7. )
7. The Diesel Smog Check Inspection consists of:
a. ) Visual Inspection for tampering (missing, modified or disconnected emission controls and the presence of parts without a “CARB EO Number. ”
b. ) On-board diagnostics (OBD) interrogation to check for proper MIL operation: the MIL commanded “On” or “Off”, and no more than two readiness monitors “Unset” or “Not-Completed. ”
c. ) Visual smoke inspection (modified snap-idle procedure) to determine if excessive smoke emissions are present.
Like me you're thinking, “Whoa! I need some details about the scope of the test. ”
Okay, I'll go through each line item and add clarification as I understand it.
1. Yes, it has been singed into law.
2. Yes, its target is light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles.
3. Every other year inspections.
4. They're going to test all 540,000 vehicles. They have a process.
5. In California when you purchase a new gasoline-powered vehicle you are exempt from testing for six years. The CARB folks have a history with gasoline vehicles and are confident that they remain clean for the six-year “new vehicle” period.
They do not have a history with diesels. They have seen some gross examples of pollution. Therefore new diesel vehicles are not exempt from the biennial smog check.
6. The smog check station will not do a “sniffer” into the tailpipe or use an opacity meter. Why? A government boondoggle. There is legislation in place that states that there cannot be additional capital equipment required at the 5,000+ smog check stations. Yet the Assembly Bill 1488 requires a smog check. The result, a subjective pass or fail inspection of hardware under the hood for the CARB EO number decal (see #7a). If you pass the inspection, then there is a subjective snap-idle test (see 7c) to determine the pass/fail.
7. a) Visual inspection, another boondoggle. The smog check station personnel are going to look at the components of your diesel engine in search of CARB EO number decals. No decal and they can send you home with a “failed” notice. The following chart will show you the parts/components where the inspector will look for the EO decal if the part does not have a factory appearance.
CONTINUED . . .
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