California exhaust violation....

1184 Views 16 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Oderus Urungus, Apr 11, 2009

cooljjay

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2009

Ok so most you w123 owners know that they smoke sometimes rather you like it or not, its a diesel for god shake. Well I have no idea what i was doing at the time but someone reported my car, I just got home and found a letter in the box, I was great which one of my cars do they want to buy now. I open it up and see someone reported me?? I know my car smokes when it is idling or when its cold out. I need to get the nozzels checked and rebulit sooner or later but I don't smoke when I am driving. I just thought this was very interesting that there is a program out like this and that they can fine you. I know there is no smog check required on a diesel or a car older then 1976. So I thought they couldn't do anything to you. Have any of you guys in the bay area gotten one of these?? and what happens if you don't return their questioner??

http://i39.tinypic.com/2lvbebo.jpg

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

winmutt

· #2 · Apr 9, 2009

I believe diesels are exempt from that crap.

akimball442

· #3 · Apr 9, 2009

I am so glad I don't have to deal with that crap.

mike-81-240d

· #4 · Apr 9, 2009

Just call them and explain that america's diesel is horrible compared to europes so they can suck it

hheynow

· #5 · Apr 9, 2009

California will soon start a statewide diesel emission program but I believe it starts with 1998 and later vehicles.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResourc...ulatoryActions/FAQs for Diesels 1-8-09_GC.pdf

::matthew

· #6 · Apr 10, 2009

the letter didn't seem that nasty. It sucks that someone would report you though.

I wish there was some sort of statewide periodic emissions/safety testing here in Florida. It was done away with in the 80s. There are many cars that have no business being on the roads (70s GMs, 80s Dodge Caravans, etc.)

DeliveryValve

· #7 · Apr 10, 2009 (Edited)

I believe these programs have been around for awhile even though diesel are exempt for emissions testing for now.

Here are some links that you can report a excessive smoking vehicle.

From CARB - Enforcement: Smoking Vehicle Complaint Program

From the Bay Area Air Quality - Smoking Vehicle Report

cooljjay said:
..... and what happens if you don't return their questioner??

You can always claim that you never received it and was possibly lost in the mail. (like you can do when you are summoned to serve on a Jury and you fail to show up... sssshhhhh

)

In the letter is state to see the "enclosed chart for common causes of smoke" can you make a copy?

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ChuangTzu

· #8 · Apr 10, 2009

I got cited in Nevada for "excessively smoking exhaust". I never had to pay it because I got tickets for a bunch of other crap at the same time and plead out of it all. But it does happen.

(My car barely smokes, btw...)

phaster

· #9 · Apr 10, 2009

not in the bay area but I have recieved one of them love letters, but I kinda think it was one of those times after I changed out the both fuel filters and used tranny fluid to top off the main fuel filter so I don't get air bubbles in the system...

cooljjay

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 10, 2009

DeliveryValve said:
In the letter is state to see the "enclosed chart for common causes of smoke" can you make a copy?

here you go

http://i39.tinypic.com/sct7ac.jpg

diametricalbenz

· #11 · Apr 10, 2009

I have gotten them for three cars...one to retire the 6.9 the 79 240D and the 74 240D when it had a ruptured vaccum diaphragm.... they can all suck it... especially the two LA ones....

MBeige

· #12 · Apr 10, 2009

I received a similar letter in the mail a few months back.

Shredded the letter and forgot about it...

...wait, what letter?

mike-81-240d

· #13 · Apr 10, 2009

Washington could care less. Although they reported my mom in the old 94 e320 because she had to get off in a carpool exit for work

but every body's got a diesel pickup here that straight piped

GogglesPisano764

· #14 · Apr 10, 2009

akimball442 said:
I am so glad I don't have to deal with that crap.

I'm with Aaron! I'm glad its not a concern here!

diametricalbenz

· #15 · Apr 11, 2009

GogglesPisano764 said:
I'm with Aaron! I'm glad its not a concern here!

It's because there are so many people in CA. I work for DOT and the emission department here is only 3 people for the whole southeastern part of WI.

I am still waiting to get my Dodge on the dynamometer that we have in the building....

240_benz

· #16 · Apr 11, 2009

I think people who report vehicles that smoke have too much time on their hands.

G

· #17 · Apr 11, 2009

Its a request letter, not a demand or citation. Ignore it.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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