Failed inspection - need advice

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Art S.
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Failed inspection - need advice

Post by Art S. »

They are getting picky at DMV, I may finally have to switch to classic car registration.

In NJ regularly registered cars must be inspected every two years. Being stubborn, I have not switched my car's registration to an antique or classic designation (I like not having any restrictions) thus far. The main way to inspect a car for registration purposes is at a state inspection station. Usually I have not problems but this year, the car failed it's first attempt. If failed for not having rubber on the gas and brake pedals. It also failed for emissions, specifically hydrocarbons.

The emissions numbers were:
GAS STANDARD READING RESULT TEST RESULT
NOx Tank Pressure N/A
HC 1400 1837 FAIL Gas Cap N/A
CO% 8.50 3.60 PASS Purge N/A
CO2% 10.1 Tampering N/A
O2% Visible Smoke PASS
RPM 807

I spoke with the manager of the inspection station, he admitted that the RPM was wrong and would look into letting me slide on the rubber pedals. However, I may have to fiddle with the idle tuning to get through inspection. Any advice? (Besides an Italian tune-up - I tried this and was threatened with arrest - apparently my speedo isn't as optimistic as I thought...)

Regards,

Art S.

PS. Note that I passed the smoke test!

PPS. Someone asked one of the inspection technicians what the car was - he responded "Mustang" - I thought only little old ladys made this mistake...
1965 330 2+2 series 2 7919
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Art S.
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Post by Art S. »

The spacing didn't show up correctly, let me try to fix it:

The emissions numbers were:
GAS.....STANDARD....READING...RESULT.............TEST...............RESULT
NOx..................................................................Tank Pressure....N/A
HC..........1400...........1837...........FAIL................Gas Cap............N/A
CO%.......8.50............3.60...........PASS...............Purge................N/A
CO2%.......................10.1..................................Tampering.........N/A
O2%..................................................................Visible Smoke....PASS
RPM...........................807
1965 330 2+2 series 2 7919
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tyang
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Post by tyang »

The main way to inspect a car for registration purposes is at a state inspection station.
Hi Art,

Can't you take your car to a shop that does state inspections, and pay them to inspect the car? You'll get a more "understanding" inspector with a private shop that pay for the sticker...if you know what I mean! At least that's how I did it when my old cars were registered in NJ.

The State Inspection Centers are crap! I always believed failed cars by the mood they were in. I bet if someone graphed failures on the day of the week, you'd see more failures on Monday mornings!

Tom
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Rudy van Daalen Wetters
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Post by Rudy van Daalen Wetters »

Art,

Buy a low cost CO meter and take some readings. See if you can lean out the mixture to get it to pass and then set it back to where she runs decent again. I assume all other settings are correct. My 1978 Jaguar with fuel injection won't pass here in California until we tweak it majorly. Ideally it needs a new catalytic converter but my smog test buddy likes the challenge.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
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330GT
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Post by 330GT »

Does NJ have a minimum amount that you can spend to pass? Here in Washington state, one only has to spend $150 with a state authorized emission specialist. Then if you fail, you can show the receipt and get a waiver. Back when I still had to have the 240Z tested, I would just plan on doing that. I would have the shop change plugs or whatever so the bill would be enough (and have them not touch the carb mixtures).

It was just a pain as one had to go to the state inspection place, fail, drop your car at the shop for the day, take it back for the re-inspection and then stand in line for the waiver. Luckily WA exempts cars over 25 years old. So all of my 'interesting' cars are exempt.

When you drive an old car only a couple thousand miles a year, it is ridicilous to have it pass a smog inspection.
Regards, Kerry
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Art S.
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Post by Art S. »

Tom,

I'll look into the private inspection option, but I kind of like the challange. Oh, also, the assistant manager of the station moonlights as a tow truck driver and hauled the Ferrari to Francois once, so he likes me and the car - unfortunately, he wasn't there yesterday.


Rudy,

CO is already very low (3.6% with 8.5% allowed), it's the HC that is high (1837ppm with 1400ppm allowed). Normally, I would think this means that I am running VERY lean but I don't think that is the case, especially as I don't know the NOx numbers. Personally, I think they screwed up the measurement.


Kerry,

I don't know about the spending limit but have an even easier out. There is a relatively new feature available in the state called classic car registration where the insection is more lax but you are limited to 6000 miles of driving every two years.

What I meant by being hard headed is that I like the fact that I can get the car to pass a normal inspection and not be limited by the state even though I don't think I have ever driven 6k over any two year period.

Regards,

Art S.
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330GT
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Post by 330GT »

Art S. wrote:...CO is already very low (3.6% with 8.5% allowed), it's the HC that is high (1837ppm with 1400ppm allowed). Normally, I would think this means that I am running VERY lean but I don't think that is the case, especially as I don't know the NOx numbers. Personally, I think they screwed up the measurement....Art S.
Yes, high HC is usually caused by being too lean. Perhaps you have an air leak but not likely in all three carbs. If you have access to a CO machine, get that back to more like 6-7% and the HC should drop.

Or just go back when your friend is there for a re-test. See you Saturday at the party.
Regards, Kerry
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Jim
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Post by Jim »

No safety check in California.
No smog check either, if auto older than 25 yrs.
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airsanford
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Post by airsanford »

when was the last time the oil was changed?

if the car is not driven much, a fair amount of gas ends up in the oil from cold starts, and will cause high HC readings. Also be sure the engine is up to operating temp before testing; at least a 30 minute run at speed.


Lee
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Art S.
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Post by Art S. »

Added hint: a plug fouled this morning; however this was shortly after spraying carb cleaner into the carburettors of a cold engine - yes I know it was a dumb move, I realized what i was doing just as the plug fouled. I drove it about 20 miles to see if it would clear - it didn't. One very messy plug was removed.


Lee,

Francois changed the oil (as far as I know) during it's stay with him, I've driven the car about 500 miles since. However, the operating temp comment may be useful, I tried to let the car cool off a bit before the test (shut it off for 15 minutes). I wonder if this, combined with them idling it through the test line for 20-30 minutes caused the problem. Next time I'll try the opposite approach.


Jim,

Thanks, I'd love to take advantage of this info but a move to CA is not in the cards at the moment.


Kerry,

I may run it through one more time before the gathering if time permits. It's legal to drive in the mean time.


Regards,

Art S.
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Post by whturner »

Jim wrote:No safety check in California.
No smog check either, if auto older than 25 yrs.
The same is true in Pennsylvania - if you have an Antique car plate, as you are authorized to have if over 25 Years of age. (The car that is)

See you Saturday.
Warren
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Additional Info.

Post by whturner »

Hi Art:

From Penndot:
Use of antique & classic plates:
It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle or vehicle with antique & classic plates for general daily transportation.
Permitted use, club actiivities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation (defined as one day a week)

Inspection,
Classic vehicles are subject to an annual vehicle safety inspection,
Antique " are not

Both are exempt from emissions

If you will sign the car over to me, I will look after it, and you can drive it whenever you want.

Cheers
Warren
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tyang
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Post by tyang »

I'll look into the private inspection option, but I kind of like the challange. Oh, also, the assistant manager of the station moonlights as a tow truck driver and hauled the Ferrari to Francois once, so he likes me and the car - unfortunately, he wasn't there yesterday.
I see it more of a waste of a half a day to drag a car down to the inspection center only to be failed! Now you've got to go back and waste another half a day. Luckily for me in NY, all cars over 25 years are emissions exempt, and my local garage does my inspections for $10 bucks. They don't fail me. Find a friend that owns a NJ shop that does inspections, and forgo the hassle!

Good luck!

Tom
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Rudy van Daalen Wetters
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Post by Rudy van Daalen Wetters »

I'm getting an eerie feeling that things in New Jersey.....well, are a little different. Kinda, sort of?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
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peterp
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Post by peterp »

Art,

You may already know this, but in NJ there are two special plate types -- Classic and Historic. Neither requires smog tests, but Classic does require a mileage check at the station every year (or 2 years). For Historic registration, there are no inspections or mileage checks ever.

Historic is supposed to be for restricted use, but I don't think they pull people over because they suspect you are covertly commuting. If they do, you can say you are test driving after some repairs. I don't like restrictions either -- same reason I used standard insurance rather than specialty car insurance -- but I haven't given a second thought to the historic plates. An added benefit is that no front license plate is required for Historic.

Peter
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