How To Pass CT Emissions Testing Without Fear

[BlackDevilSupra]

Just simply assure that your vehicle is in great running condition, all emission device installed, and engine properly warmed.

Late 2008 I barely passed because the car was running lean, and an aged sport catalytic converter in play. I passed with NOx just 1 point below limit.

Over the winter of 2008 to 2009, I removed the HKS 550cc injectors and replaced with new PTE 660's (to complement PT61mm turbo), new Catco 3" cat from ebay, removed the full HKS IC setup and replaced with 31X12X3 IC and custom piping.

For emission testing Nov. 2009, I zeroed all the settings on the AFC, dial all knobs on the VPC to 12 O'clock, verified that all emission device were properly functioning, and set the AFPR to 30 PSI with vac. hose connected.

Off to test station with no perturbation or angst, engine warmed, and voila, car passed with aplomb :biglaugh:

Now, maybe I'll turn up the boost and see how the car performs again..

[kHaNg]

They are still testing cars under 1996 for ct?

[Neodeuccio]

Sniffers?

[nosechunks]

In NY they test cars 24 years and newer, 96 and up gets plugged in, 95 and older is dyno and sniffer.

Well this is as of a couple years ago when i had my license.

[Neodeuccio]

Wow, that sucks. Upstate, they plug in cars from 96 and after, but 95 or older only get a visual inspection. If it looks like you have a cat, and it looks like your exhaust is complete, you're golden.

[BlackDevilSupra]

I've never been to California and I've never experienced the EPA rules their, but from my experience here in CT it sure does feel like the eastern extension of CA :).
The technician performed both visual and the roller / sniffer test; check gas cap for vacuum, popped hood to check for emission devices, and then the roller.

[dusthead]

okayyyyyyy.....anyone with CT specific info?...as requested.

i just failed my emissions yesterday...now searching the forums and inspecting/troubleshooting/getting codes to see whats wrong...

Hydrocarbons were 333ppm, limit is 167. CO was 7.25%, limit is .53. NOx was 53ppm, limit is 1167.

from what i have gathered so far - i'm most likely running rich. so i'm hoping codes will shed some more light tomorrow....sry, not trying to threadjack - just looking for CT specific info related to topic. thanks.

[rshn117]

i went to newlondon put 50$ in the ashtray and told the portorican testing it "its yours if you pass it" the thing sat running on the dyno until it passed exactly at the limit, it did take a while

[OneJArpus]

^LOL that works!

[JonoTurbo]

Heh my 1jz passed CT emissions with no problem. Wayyyy under the limits. Thankfully they didn't pop the hood.

[dusthead]

wow...i remember a wire going into my engine bay when they were doing the test...so mine was open.

found a problem that was most likely my issue...o2 sensor wire broken...i fixed it tonight (push pin out, solder wire, replace...yay). so i'm gonna take it to autozone (do they check codes on ours? just thought of this...) check the codes, reset ecu, drive around, check again. hopefully all will be well an i can retest. in the case autozone cant check mine....i'll try again the jumper in the diag box...no one has answered me as to which is TE1 on a pre 89. i'm guessing T.....it's in the same spot.

[cleancarct]

wow...i remember a wire going into my engine bay when they were doing the test...so mine was open.

found a problem that was most likely my issue...o2 sensor wire broken...i fixed it tonight (push pin out, solder wire, replace...yay). so i'm gonna take it to autozone (do they check codes on ours? just thought of this...) check the codes, reset ecu, drive around, check again. hopefully all will be well an i can retest. in the case autozone cant check mine....i'll try again the jumper in the diag box...no one has answered me as to which is TE1 on a pre 89. i'm guessing T.....it's in the same spot.

It definately would be a problem if your o2 sensor was not working but did you get the car tested with a trouble code in the cpu? Also the shop that tests your emissions would probably clear the code if you asked them to before the test right?

[StManTiS]

couldn't you register the car as collectors and not have to do emissions?

[Neodeuccio]

That depends heavily on the year of the car and the state. In upstate NY, if you're registered as a classic, which requires a 23 or 25 year old car IIRC, then you only need to show the presence of the safety and emissions equipment that was on the car when it was manufactured.

[JonoTurbo]

Unfortunately in CT, the only cars exempt from emissions are the ones over 25 years old. No such thing as a collectors registration.

Jason, you are getting me worried with the wire in the engine bay thing, I wonder if they have new testing procedures in place...

[dusthead]

Unfortunately in CT, the only cars exempt from emissions are the ones over 25 years old. No such thing as a collectors registration.

Jason, you are getting me worried with the wire in the engine bay thing, I wonder if they have new testing procedures in place...

Expert Tire in New London. franchised owned by firestone. my hood was wide open...black cable/wire going towards the drivers side of the engine bay so i'm guessing the diagnostic block or something...

they didn't check for codes because the light wasn't on..so i don't know if there actually were some, i meant to check them before i cleared my ecu after fixing the wire - but my battery died an decided to pull it out and fully charge it (wasn't thinking). i brought my wifes van in and it had the light on - they didn't even run it...just brought it in - saw the light - checked codes - and brought it out.

about clearing them - the manager gave me this shit about the computer not being ready if i cleared it right before i brought it in...said that every model has a different "drive cycle", and if that hasn't been satisfied after clearing the codes then the test won't happen....any truth to that?

[JonoTurbo]

about clearing them - the manager gave me this shit about the computer not being ready if i cleared it right before i brought it in...said that every model has a different "drive cycle", and if that hasn't been satisfied after clearing the codes then the test won't happen....any truth to that?

If you clear the codes by pulling the EFI fuse, this resets the computer and it 'relearns' some information about the car after its been run again. Its generally accepted that letting it idle for a short period of time and then driving spiritedly is enough for the computer to finish learning.

I'm sure different computers require different things as far as that goes, but the Supra ECU is relatively oldschool, so it should be ready by the time you get to the shop if you reset your codes at the house.

[StManTiS]

friend of mine failed emissions in CT and could still register his car...i dont think you need to actually pass them

[rshn117]

from what i understand the dmv just wants their 20$ , emission tests are bullshit, ive seen a clean ass diesel merc come in and fail even though the car was flawless then right after watched a 12sec duramax fill the entire shop full of black smoke and pass

[BlackDevilSupra]

This is somewhat perplexing, and I'm kinda curious how the technicians, and emission testing stations are truly compensated? The technician dedicated ~25 to 30 minutes in evaluating the vehicle, but we're only required to pay $20. The total time dedicated definitely values more than the $20 payment. So, who truly walks away with the money bag?

[dusthead]

This is somewhat perplexing, and I'm kinda curious how the technicians, and emission testing stations are truly compensated? The technician dedicated ~25 to 30 minutes in evaluating the vehicle, but we're only required to pay $20. The total time dedicated definitely values more than the $20 payment. So, who truly walks away with the money bag?

yea, not too sure how the money works when it comes to this either. but i do know that working as a mechanic gets SHIT pay. better off going out on your own on craigslist or your own website like those "mobile mechanics". unbelievable the truth i found. i would have paid $90 an hour for them to work on my car...paid the shop that is. but no mechanic in that shop makes more than $24 an hour...IF he can show for all 40 hours in the week. he will get paid for 40 - but next week will get paid for less if he doesn't actually "work" 40 hours. found there was a guy making $15. i was shocked.

cars are one of the general publics most intimidating machines. everyone gets in - drives - and never wants to deal with or have to learn anything about HOW or WHY it works. and they/we pay dearly for that. someone having the knowledge like an ASE (is that right?) certified guy has gone to fuckin school for this trade...and a shop is going to pay him that small amount and think to themselves "without me they wouldn't have a job". thats btw, a quote from a manager from that Expert Tire in New London.

[rshn117]

mechanics do get paid shit most of the guys i work with do over 40 hours and get paid under 40 hours, the pay is per job not hourly
i get 10 an hour its bs and being ASE doesn't mean shit it just means you passed a test nothing else it doesn't prevent the mechanic from being a complete dumbass

as for emissions the technician doesn't really do anything except check for the engine light and follow the steps on the emissions machine/computer most don't give two shits about whats on the car

[shaeff]

In NY they test cars 24 years and newer, 96 and up gets plugged in, 95 and older is dyno and sniffer.

Well this is as of a couple years ago when i had my license.


Wow, that sucks. Upstate, they plug in cars from 96 and after, but 95 or older only get a visual inspection. If it looks like you have a cat, and it looks like your exhaust is complete, you're golden.

Right on. None of my cars (all <'95) have ever been on a dyno sniffer. Not required near me. (FTW!)