Looking for some input from folks that have had VA safety inspection done on their diesel 300SD.

Just moved to Northern VA. Previously disabled the EGR in my 83 300SD but left it on the manifold. Noticed the VA safety inspection requires the mechanic/inspector it check for presence of emissions components in the engine compartment (just visually I believe).

Can anyone tell me if I will fail due to it not being hooked up? I was under the impression there were no emissions requirements on diesels from that era at the federal level.

What if I took it completely off?

I did find out that the car would be exempt from the additional Emissions inspection required here in Northern VA.

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

Since you won't have to pass a sniff test, it doesn't have to function. It just has to look like it functions. Hook up some vacuum hoses to it and snake em behind something in the engine compartment. They really only want to fail you on stuff like bad wipers, burned out tag light, brake pad thickness, tire tread life, cracked windshield, bad engine mounts, exhaust leaks, excessive smoke.

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

If it's not leaking they won't bat an eye probably. If you're really worried about it replace the vacuum line but block it internally.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

get Antique plates no inspection required.

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72 280SE His Majesty

And be massively restricted in driving. And hope he has another legally registered car. I would be willing to bet most inspectors won't even look at it.

As long as it is not obviously disconnected then no they can not fail it. I took mine off and put a plate under it and re assembled it, so that it looks fully functional. This is on my 1985 300d. My 240 does not have one.

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1977 240D turbo

I have yet to encounter any inspection station checking for a working egr, as mentioned, no sniff test here.

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83 SD

84 CD

Very well then,

I think I still have that black plastic thing that was on top of the valve cover someplace. Once I un pack it, I will put it back on and just run a vacum line into it.

Flip side, same coin, would they even notice it missing if I took it off?

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

I thought of getting antique plates...until I discovered I can't drive it back and forth to work all the time.

My goal is to get the thing to 500,000 which she will do easy in the shape she is in. I have 285,000 plus on it now. Can't do that on antique plates unless I do lots of "rallies" LOL

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI