ARRRG! Diesel emissions testing in RI!
 

I got a letter today stating that next time around my diesels will have to go through a tailpipe sniffer, chassis dyno type of emissions test! From no test at all to this garbage. Anyone know about this type of testing? Since my 300D no longer has its EGR or ARV valve, will it pass? I still have the parts and could concievably reinstall them.... I am hoping that putting B100 in the tank for the test will allow it to pass. Anyone know anything about doing this? I am thinking of selling the damned thing and this might just push me over the edge. I am less worried about the Jetta passing, its all stock and the pump/injectors are recent. The letter said all "light diesel" vehicles 8500lbs and under. The work truck is 8600lb GVW so I got lucky there. If I get rid of the 300D I will replace it with a 3/4ton diesel Suburban. GVW over 8500 so no BS. RT

Will they actually test the diesel for NOx emissions? What's the point.

hey, if you're from RI, also known as the Ocean State, shouldn't your exasperated use of: "ARRRG!" be immediately followed by a bellowing: "Shiver me timbers!"?

Better watch they don't check for that too at the test.

a hassel yes. but I would guess there is a benefit...Chance to chat with your friendly emmisiions testers....all of the benefits aside I would think about the b-100 and the test...If NOx is a constituent of the test aren't biodiesel emmisions higher in Nox than dinodieesel? Keep us posted.

Well I guess I lucked out of that one! Of the three car's I have registered, only my Volvo is registered in Rhode Island, and it's a gasser!

If your 300D is up to snuff, new filters, injectors fine, diesel purged, I wouldn't think it shouldn't pass! If you are worried it wont, run B-20 before inspection. ..............BB

In my experience they always opened the hood and checked for the emission control equipment. I put the stuff back on before the test. I heard it was a 10k fine if the bust you removing the stuff. But I always wondered what they would say if I told them I got it that way and don't know anything about it. Would they still test the car?

your government at work ...
 

don't test the 6, 7 and 8 liter engines only test the 2.4 and 3 liter ones.

The truckers lobby is just too $strong$ to get their trucks tested, so the best :confused: :mad: the legislature can do is hassel the little guy who has NO lobby contributing $$$ to his or her cause. This happened recently in PA.

I'm not sure the founding fathers of this country were thinking... "Government by the Money, for the money and of the money"

Most every emissions guy I've talked to will freely admit that emissions testing in general is a joke.

Thank gawd that I have 2 of 3 vehicles registered in PA as antique, no emissions and no inspection ever again.

good luck,
Robert

Actually, in Maryland they do check the big rigs - even those passing through and registered in another state. The Hwy Patrol have smoke checkers they use on the exhaust pipe, checking for opacity of the smoke. They do spot checks and if they see a truck belching they can pull it over.

There is no testing on diesels under 10K lbs.

I would think they would test for opacity/soot since there were no NOX, CO, or other standards for diesels when our cars were built.

Keep us posted.

Diesel emissions are checked every 2 years here in WA state. They only check for opacities. My '85 300D had to go through it a month ago and passed with flying colors. This was my second time since owning the car. The first time it still had all of its CA emissions garbage on it including the oxidizing catalyst. The second time none of it was operational, including the EGR and the OC, and it ran cleaner than the first time I had it checked.
It's all bull$#!t.

We've had diesel emissions testing in CT for years. They test at idle and on a dyno. Run by Agbar Technologies, they do an "opacity" test, basically color of the exhaust smoke. Still a joke, but it gets them and the state their money. I watched them carefully this time. Never opened up the hood. Of course, my EGR is long gone. Same on my truck, they didn't check that either. I certainly wouldn't consider selling my car about that. Besides, in CT they only test up to 25 years, so my truck is free from it now and my SD will need to be tested just once more. Plus you get a free retest - check the details in RI, I'd be surprised if it was anymore than what we have here.

This opacity test is nothing to get worked up about. Here in Nevada the limit is 40%. Trust me, if you had 40% opacity coming out of your tailpipe you would notice it. ;) Most likely your car wouldn't even run. If you can see the car behind you, you'll pass. :)

That's why smog testing a diesel is bull$#!t.

Okay, I'm feeling better about this. Just hearing that its possible to pass without the smog crap is good news. Pete Burton, RI emissions testing is also administered by Agbar Technologies. Chances are the test is the same worthless one you have in CT. Its a two year test so that helps, previously it was every year. At least in RI since we are still the most corrupt state in the union you always have the option of paying off the tech to fudge the test for you... Back in the day you could pay an "extra" $20 and they would just drop the probe on the ground behind the car instead of putting it in the tailpipe. RT

To me the test is BS because I have to pay $36 for it every year for each car, and it's something that I highly doubt my cars will ever come close to failing. Generally I support smog testing, but not this kind of joke at this kind of price.

RI diesel testing
 

Just found out today about the 'light duty' diesel emissions testing, when I called my usual shop for inspection. I have a '77 240D that I don't run in the winter, so it's still puffing out some winter congestion. I was told to run it hard before taking it in. One of the shops I called told me that (a) earlier model years are exempt (but they couldn't define 'earlier'), and (b) there are different tolerances for older model cars. One more way for RI to collect revenue? Probably. I believe it's still only a one-year sticker.