new PA Emissions test on 300-6
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new PA Emissions test on 300-6
My (new-to-me) '85 F150 will need to pass the new Pennsylvania emissions test rip off come inspection time in May. As I understand it, a vehicle of this age needs to have all of the "emissions components" that came in the vehicle in place and hooked up. (They don't have to work, they just have to be there.)
My problem is, I don't think mine are there, and I don't know what should be there! I do have lots of unconnected connectors and screw-plugged vacuum lines under the hood, so I know stuff has been pulled out.
So, what all would be considered "emissions components" for this truck? For the record, it is an 1985 4 speed manual 4X4 XLT Lariat.
Thanks,
Chris
My problem is, I don't think mine are there, and I don't know what should be there! I do have lots of unconnected connectors and screw-plugged vacuum lines under the hood, so I know stuff has been pulled out.
So, what all would be considered "emissions components" for this truck? For the record, it is an 1985 4 speed manual 4X4 XLT Lariat.
Thanks,
Chris
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Butler,PA
My undestanding is that the air pump has to be there with a belt on it, don't believe it has to be connected to anything. The cat has to be there, it can be empty but it has to be on. If you don't have one, pick one up at a junk yard and punch it out. The way it was explained to me is that is is a visual thing, as long as the stuff is there that is all that matters.
Mostly it will depend on your inspection guy.
Mostly it will depend on your inspection guy.
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Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,083
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From: Ventura, California
Pennsylvania Emission Test Requirements and their Definitions
Visual Check
Gas Cap Test
Single Speed Idle
Two Speed Idle
Dynamometer
Visual Check
What is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check?
The Visual Anti-Tampering Check is a visual inspection for the presence of emission control components that were installed on your vehicle by the manufacturer.
How is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check performed?
A certified technician will look for the presence of the following emission control devices:
Catalytic converter
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve
Fuel inlet restrictor
Air pump
Evaporative control system components such as vapor canisters and lines.
The certified technician will also determine if these devices are properly connected and if they are the correct type for the vehicle being inspected.
Gas Cap Test
What is a Gas Cap Test?
A Gas Cap Test is a functional check that tests whether harmful evaporative emissions (fumes) are escaping from a vehicle's gas tank into the atmosphere.
How is a Gas Cap Test performed?
A certified technician will remove the gas cap and insert it into a device that will then apply pressure to the gas cap. The testing unit will verify that the gas cap holds pressure for the period of approximately 45 seconds and a determination will be made as to whether or not fumes are escaping.
Single Speed and Two Speed Idle Tests
What is a Tailpipe Test?
A Tailpipe Test uses a tailpipe probe to collect a sample of the exhaust and an emissions analyzer to measure pollutants. The Tailpipe Test can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle's model year, with an allowance for normal wear.
How is a Tailpipe Test performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle's engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine's exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle's model year.
What is an idle test?
A Tailpipe Test is performed while the engine is idling. A one-speed idle test uses engine speeds between 450 rpm and 1100 rpm, while a two-speed idle test checks emissions at two different engine speeds, the regular idle and a fast idle around 2500 rpm.
Dynamometer
What is a Tailpipe Test?
A Tailpipe Test uses a tailpipe probe to collect a sample of the exhaust and an emissions analyzer to measure pollutants. The Tailpipe Test can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle's model year, with an allowance for normal wear.
How is a Tailpipe Test performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle's engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine's exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle's model year.
What is a Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer?
A Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer uses an emissions analyzer and a treadmill-like device, called a dynamometer, which puts a load on the engine to simulate driving conditions at 15 miles per hour. The Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle's model year, with an allowance for normal wear. The dynamometer test used in the Philadelphia area is called ASM for Accelerated Simulation Mode.
How is a Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle's engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will place the vehicle's drive wheels on the dynamometer rollers. The technician will then insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine's exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle's model year.
Why is a dynamometer used for some Tailpipe Tests?
In the Philadelphia region, where air pollution is more severe, it is necessary to reduce harmful oxides of nitrogen (NOx). To do this, the vehicle's engine must be tested while under load. The treadmill-like device is the only method of applying a load to the vehicles drive wheels to test for NOx.
Visual Check
Gas Cap Test
Single Speed Idle
Two Speed Idle
Dynamometer
Visual Check
What is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check?
The Visual Anti-Tampering Check is a visual inspection for the presence of emission control components that were installed on your vehicle by the manufacturer.
How is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check performed?
A certified technician will look for the presence of the following emission control devices:
Catalytic converter
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve
Fuel inlet restrictor
Air pump
Evaporative control system components such as vapor canisters and lines.
The certified technician will also determine if these devices are properly connected and if they are the correct type for the vehicle being inspected.
Gas Cap Test
What is a Gas Cap Test?
A Gas Cap Test is a functional check that tests whether harmful evaporative emissions (fumes) are escaping from a vehicle's gas tank into the atmosphere.
How is a Gas Cap Test performed?
A certified technician will remove the gas cap and insert it into a device that will then apply pressure to the gas cap. The testing unit will verify that the gas cap holds pressure for the period of approximately 45 seconds and a determination will be made as to whether or not fumes are escaping.
Single Speed and Two Speed Idle Tests
What is a Tailpipe Test?
A Tailpipe Test uses a tailpipe probe to collect a sample of the exhaust and an emissions analyzer to measure pollutants. The Tailpipe Test can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle's model year, with an allowance for normal wear.
How is a Tailpipe Test performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle's engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine's exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle's model year.
What is an idle test?
A Tailpipe Test is performed while the engine is idling. A one-speed idle test uses engine speeds between 450 rpm and 1100 rpm, while a two-speed idle test checks emissions at two different engine speeds, the regular idle and a fast idle around 2500 rpm.
Dynamometer
What is a Tailpipe Test?
A Tailpipe Test uses a tailpipe probe to collect a sample of the exhaust and an emissions analyzer to measure pollutants. The Tailpipe Test can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle's model year, with an allowance for normal wear.
How is a Tailpipe Test performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle's engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine's exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle's model year.
What is a Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer?
A Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer uses an emissions analyzer and a treadmill-like device, called a dynamometer, which puts a load on the engine to simulate driving conditions at 15 miles per hour. The Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle's model year, with an allowance for normal wear. The dynamometer test used in the Philadelphia area is called ASM for Accelerated Simulation Mode.
How is a Tailpipe Test using a dynamometer performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle's engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will place the vehicle's drive wheels on the dynamometer rollers. The technician will then insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine's exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle's model year.
Why is a dynamometer used for some Tailpipe Tests?
In the Philadelphia region, where air pollution is more severe, it is necessary to reduce harmful oxides of nitrogen (NOx). To do this, the vehicle's engine must be tested while under load. The treadmill-like device is the only method of applying a load to the vehicles drive wheels to test for NOx.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Butler,PA
Yep, normally that is what the emissions test consists of, but in PA it is mostly being washed out. The only thing that is going to remain for the majority of the state (maybe all, I can't remember) is a basic visual, there aren't going to be any tailpipe probes or any of the other good stuff anymore.
Remember, this ain't CALIF, our cars are more spread out around here.
The emissions thing didn't go over well in PA, so most of it got recinded. Guess it wasn't putting enough money directly in the states pockets like they originaly anticipated.
Besides the cost of the equipment was too prohibitive for most of the smaller garages to equip themselves with it.
In reality, it caused more problems around here than it was worth.
Remember, this ain't CALIF, our cars are more spread out around here.
The emissions thing didn't go over well in PA, so most of it got recinded. Guess it wasn't putting enough money directly in the states pockets like they originaly anticipated.
Besides the cost of the equipment was too prohibitive for most of the smaller garages to equip themselves with it.
In reality, it caused more problems around here than it was worth.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Butler,PA
Thanks. Website was a time killer after I hurt my back, needed something to amuse myself. Was getting real bored.
Don't think I know him.
I was just told about these changes recently (within the last few weeks). This was info an inspection mechanic got from one of their meetings that they go to to keep up on new stuff. But they have been know to be wrong too. In this state it seems like you need to take most everything that comes from Harrisburgh with a few grains of salt as they never seem to have all their eggs in one basket.
A large part of the time the inspection laws vary from garage to garage, seems that eveything is subject to the interpretation of the mechanic you visit and a large part on your relationship with him.
I guess mostly what I am saying is that there are ways around most everything, ya just gotta know where to look.
This is in no way an attemp to put anyones work or ethics down, the vast majority of the mechanics are pretty straight up and know there sh&t, they are as thorough as you want them to be, of course you always have the shysters that find lots wrong even when there isn't. Those are the ones that like to use the inspection laws to increase their profit ratio, they are also most of the ones that could afford the emissions testing equipment, guess we can see how that adds up, eh? I have noticed more and more that the bigger dealers (Branded) around are getting really bad about this kind of stuff.
Sorry got a little long winded.
Don't think I know him.
I was just told about these changes recently (within the last few weeks). This was info an inspection mechanic got from one of their meetings that they go to to keep up on new stuff. But they have been know to be wrong too. In this state it seems like you need to take most everything that comes from Harrisburgh with a few grains of salt as they never seem to have all their eggs in one basket.
A large part of the time the inspection laws vary from garage to garage, seems that eveything is subject to the interpretation of the mechanic you visit and a large part on your relationship with him.
I guess mostly what I am saying is that there are ways around most everything, ya just gotta know where to look.
This is in no way an attemp to put anyones work or ethics down, the vast majority of the mechanics are pretty straight up and know there sh&t, they are as thorough as you want them to be, of course you always have the shysters that find lots wrong even when there isn't. Those are the ones that like to use the inspection laws to increase their profit ratio, they are also most of the ones that could afford the emissions testing equipment, guess we can see how that adds up, eh? I have noticed more and more that the bigger dealers (Branded) around are getting really bad about this kind of stuff.
Sorry got a little long winded.