Failed then Passed State Emissions inspection! - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

fredvillanueva@gmail.com · 07-30-2010, 05:42 PM

Well, it was that time of year again down in Texas. I took the car in and to my surprise it failed emissions. A California car!

Damn - we use the car alot.

So I threw in a bottle of Guaranteed to Pass, and drove 250 miles like a demon (ok, not really just between 80-95 mph when possible). Then I refilled the tank when empty with Chevron 93 OCT, and threw in a bottle of Lucas.

Then I unhooked my battery for 5 minutes to see if it would reset the ECU somehow.
Then right after that I took the car back to the tech today, and passed inspection by the skin of my teeth! Whoo Hoo!

I'm not really sure which of the 3 things above help lower the low speed emissions, which she failed the first time (first test was 185 or so - second test was 109 -the State limit!).

Oh well, it's not like I drive slower than 70 anyway.

The guy said that at this mileage, the cat needs to be changed. I just don't have a spare oil well in my backyard....

augapfel · 07-31-2010, 07:07 PM

Yeah, I'm in the same boat with all 3 of my 88s at or above 200k miles. Sometimes they pass and sometimes they don't. Too many variables including weather, I think. A factory head pipe/cat for mine runs at $2200 so that's out. I've heard about a local shop that is supposed to be *very* good at welding a replacement cat onto the existing pipes and it may come to that...

fredvillanueva@gmail.com · 07-31-2010, 08:11 PM

Yeah I think it may also be that it was a 110 degree day and after driving 40 miles the engine temp was at 100 or so. I gotta get one of those run-cooler thermostats. Or try to burp air out of the cooling system that may be in there.

The weird thing is that I read that in California they have to test with a fan on the engine AND not open the hood. This is BY LAW. So clearly a Texas Tech wasn't gonna give a hoot about any stinkin' Cali laws - or even know them.

Whatever- the car runs awesome. I just don't see how my gas guzzler cargo van that get 8 miles to the gallon and has well over 200,000 miles passes without fail. The Merc get 3 times the mileage! Maybe it"s that mysterious quart of oil that burns off in between oil changes.

Even funnier is that the car passed inspection when the EGR was totally clogged and non-functioning last year.

Now that I've fixed it, along with the O2 sensor, MAF,new air filter, frequent oil changes, purge valve, etc. the car failed.

oefvetw124lover · 08-01-2010, 11:51 AM

be wary with aftermarket welding.

Sherman321 · 08-01-2010, 12:12 PM

I personally think state inspection and emissions are a scam. I took my E30 to two different shops and received two TOTALLY different lists of problems it didnt pass for. Took it to a third and it passed... I really hate having to do this dance every year, I think finding an honest inspector is key. Emissions are a whole different story though.

oefvetw124lover · 08-01-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherman321

I personally think state inspection and emissions are a scam. I took my E30 to two different shops and received two TOTALLY different lists of problems it didnt pass for. Took it to a third and it passed... I really hate having to do this dance every year, I think finding an honest inspector is key. Emissions are a whole different story though.

it is A SCAM- it designed to make money for the state (21 USD in NYS) then its a scam for the inspection station (i.e. 15 dollar wiper blades, 5 dollar bulbs etc) people fall for it every year espeically women

how an any mechanic truly check a car in 10-15 mins ? without driving it around the block? how can a mechanic check if you bought a cheap tire or an expensive one that can decrease your braking distance?
its all a money making ponzi scheme. everyone profits except you.
as long s you check our car (or cars) every week you car should be go to go

when I came back from my last deployent all of my cars needed inspections so I went to Jiffy Lube. When I took the 260e the manager said that my tail lights were out and for a small fee they will install bulbs for me. so I backed the car to the view of the office to show them that bulbs were good. I was done in 3 mins and passed with flying colors. I have female cooworker who was roped into buying 600 dollar tires (at firestone) because her car failed inspection. I checked her car before she went. the tires were within the specs of NY. I have a contact in NYC that will pass any car i bring to him for a extra tip- so that says it all.
bottom line is this- knowledge is power.

case in point- check out the shop during the month when business is slow- they will bend over to help you. now go on the first of the month when everyone needs an inspection.

now here is the key- Cops look at the color of your inspection. for example NYS 2010 inspection sticker is yellow- 2009 was gray. so If they see the color is old then they may pull you over or tack on another ticket if you were already pulled over

**Nutz 4 Benz** · 08-01-2010, 01:41 PM

Sure glad I don't have to bother with emissions test. I could have a plume of blue and black smoke blowing out my exhaust pipe, enveloping the entire roadway and it wouldn't matter.

Noodles · 08-01-2010, 03:18 PM

Here in Wisconsin they have stopped testing 1995 cars and older. Too many issues and
cost cutting. Only 5 counties have to do it, of course they are the ones closest to Chicago.
Every summer the EPA comes up to test air quality and as luck would have it they always
come on the hottest days when the wind is coming from the south and dredging up the
pollution from Chicago. 325 days a year all of those 5 counties fall well below the criteria
that makes areas do smog testing. It is a giant PITA.

Gestaltist · 08-03-2010, 08:10 AM

The old three shop trick..I had the exact same issue here in Fairfax, VA this year when I bought the 320. Shop 1- "Sir you need a new throttle cable and throttle body becasue our inspector cant hold a constant rpm for the emissions test" me-"Ill throttle it then, it runs fine"..on the way out the door
Shop 2- "Sir your car failed emissions but it is due to the muffler (i asked which one and got blank stare x 3 from the guys) and the cat" me-" the rear muffler is fine and i just replaced the front muffler, ill be right back (on the way out the door)
Shop 3-"Sir how much would you sell this car to us for?" me-"$3000" shop-"give you 2000 today, oh and heres your emissions results, everything looked great" WTF?