My daughter drove home for the weekend and took the 1982 240D to the emissions test that was about three years overdue. She, and the rest of us thought it was exempt, as in the past they had no test plan for Diesels. Well, the only thing they tested for was "Opacity" of the exhaust. The allowable limit is 20%, and I have no idea what the units are or what that means. But the test results for this old machine came in at 0.1%! I was pretty impressed, even if I am ignorant of what it means. My wife and kids were not nearly as impressed as I was, so I thought I would share it with some of you guys.

Anyone know what that test mesures and what the 20% limit really means?

Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Hi Jim,in B.C. we are required to take our cars and light trucks for an emissions test every year.The test done before I bought the car showed 3%,20% as the fail point.Now they have a new test that is more comprehensive,the car is accelerated to 45 kmh,then slowed to 30 kmh,then accelerated to 92 kmh.The test takes about 2 1/2 minutes and is more realistic.This test showed 16.29%,30% fail point.If you fail the 'AirCare' you can license it for 3 months,so you can repair it,then test it again(at $24/test).A car becomes very hard to sell if it can't pass the test.Our new provincial gov't (like your state gov't)is going to abolish the testing or so they say.This is a step backwards IMO because the smog level in the summer around Vancouver can get as bad as LA

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

I believe you're right Bill,sometimes all it takes to make a dramatic difference is a fresh air filter

__________________
Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

Was the test in CT done with the engine at idle speed?

No emission tests on diesel cars anywhere in VA.

Ken300D

The test was done with the car running at a variety of simulated speeds, including idle. They have a dyno the wheels roll on and based on the weight they add or subtract some resistive load. I missed the event but my wife says the car was run for around 5 minutes. In CT they do a bunch of checks on the VIN, then ask you to get out and they drive it into the bay with the dyno. You stand in a little cement block corridor with windows to see what it going on. They actually have a fan blow air across the car too. I thought the car was running pretty good, and I guess the state agrees with me now. Have a good one, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)