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Really stupid emissions testing requirment.

Discussion in '348/355' started by johnk..., Apr 17, 2017.

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  1. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
    11,276
    CT
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    John Kreskovsky
    #1 johnk..., Apr 17, 2017
    Ok, I get the message in the mail that my 355 is due for emission testing. So I bring the car to the same place I have taken it to the late two time, ever 2 years. In the past there was never a problem. I when back with the car. Helped the guys set up the test (it's a 95 so need a sniff test on a dyno), and step pout side the garage door while they run the test as CT laws says I can not be present. Now, this new guy insists I can't even help him set up the car and have to stand outside immediately. I figure, this isn't going to go well. He can't even open the door w/o me leaning in and telling him how. Next thing I know, there are a couple of guys going over the windshield with flashlight. WTF!!! Then the guy gets on the phone talking to someone about who knows what. So after waiting about 20 minutes, while he is still on the phone, I motion to another guy standing there to come over. I ask what's the problem. He tells me that they need approval before they can run the test because, get this, the VIN in on the steering column, not attached to the dash. I ask approval from who. He tells me from the company that the state contacts to do the testing. Long and short of it, no one at this emission company know where the "visible" VIN is supposed to be on a 355 so they are trying to get the state to verify it. Good luck with that. So, after about 45 minutes of standing around the guy hangs up and comes back and apologizes and say they can't rung the test until they get conformation on the vin location. Of course the facts that they tested the car in 2013 and 2015 doesn't matter, and they can call a Ferrari dealer. So they give me back my $20 and take my number and tell me that will call when they get conformation. How eff'ing stupid is that. Talk about red tape and bureaucracy. So, if I don't get the car tested they suspend my registration and I can't get it tested because there is a dumb a$$ in charge. Nothing to do with it being a 95. Any car with the vin not on the dash would be a problem.
     
  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
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    Mitchell Le
    #2 yelcab, Apr 17, 2017
    This is not California? The horror....
     
  3. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Tim Dee
    #3 SoCal1, Apr 17, 2017
    Sounds like the emission testing place has a few strikes against them and needs confirmation on most everything.

    Easy here in Calafornee :)
     
  4. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    #4 Dave rocks, Apr 17, 2017
    You simply can't fix stupid :)
     
  5. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    #5 SoCal1, Apr 17, 2017
    They get "score cards" If they are failing or close to it they call to verify everything because if they do get a failing grade they loose their permit to smog'

    You know if they pass or fail more then the average of the other stations they get "tagged" with a notice. Totally unfair because rich folk cars seem to pass more then cars from the hood.
    I have a friend that owns a bunch of stations and he's always playing the chess game of pre testing cars he think may fail

    Life is good :)
     
  6. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    #6 johnk..., Apr 17, 2017
    So I called DMV emissions department and what a surprise, I got right through. Can you do that in CA? ;) Nice guy on the phone. As soon as I told him I had a 95 Ferrari.... he politely interrupted me and said that the test center had just called and he approved the test. Sure, now that I'm home. At least I had a nice drive. :) I'll do it again tomorrow. And yes, I did call the test center and confirmed that they could now run the test.

    My test isn't due until June but I wanted to get it out of the way. I had a coil problem last year and due to loss of spark on 2 cylinders the 1-4 cat sustained a bit of an over heat (SDL actually worked, blink, blink, blink....SOILD!, but metal core cats aren't as heat tough as ceramics. I pulled over as soon as it went solid, well 30 second to find a spot. Let it cool down. Limp home my a$$. But that's another story.) Took it out to inspect and a little of the metal core did melt. So I want to see if it passes or fails to give me time to get a new cat if necessary. It I need one it will be the first major expense (around $700 tops) since I've owned the car.
     
  7. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    #7 19633500GT, Apr 17, 2017
    John. You're in Connecticut, right?
     
  8. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #8 johnk..., Apr 17, 2017
    Yes. If you have a similar problem have the test center call 860-263-5611 and ask for Dave. FYI, I was at Hoffman Ford. They have the only in ground dyno close to me.
     
  9. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    #9 19633500GT, Apr 17, 2017
    No, I was wondering why you're doing emissions on an older than 20 year old car?

    Yours qualifies as vintage, so why not register as vintage, then skip all the shenanigans of emissions and etc?
     
  10. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #10 johnk..., Apr 17, 2017
    Classic or antique is 20 or older. Emissions is 25 or older. Go figure??
     
  11. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    #11 19633500GT, Apr 17, 2017
    Ahhhhh didn't know that! I'm a transplant. That's a dumb law. Glad they reconciled though.
     
  12. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    #12 ClydeM, Apr 17, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Time to move to NJ. No more emissions or safety testing on '95s and older. Woo hoo!

    even when they just did emissions (last year) the state/authorized testing station, stuffed a rod up the tailpipe. No Dyno. Local service stations did the same thing.

    (below is for my 308, but the 355 version is on the way)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. 2dinos

    2dinos F1 Rookie

    Jan 13, 2007
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    #13 2dinos, Apr 17, 2017
    Stupid goes real deep! In CA, (Thinking it would be a cinch) I've gone to 5 different shops in one afternoon who wouldn't touch a Ferrari. They get their same 80 bucks testing a Corolla, so why on earth would they want the liability? Then I found a shop who wasted about an hour of my time only to come back with, "can't test it because they don't recognize the exhaust parts". Incredulous crap! A cat is a cat is a cat.

    I feel for you.

    Not to mention the fear of mis-handling. You spend some quality time rubbing the body with fine waxes and diapers. Mechanisms w/ Q-tips and WD-40. Small soft brushes and chamois for interior ---- Then you bring it to some place that can't open or shut the body panels.

    I feel for you.

    Best of luck and keep your patience.
     
  14. 2dinos

    2dinos F1 Rookie

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    #14 2dinos, Apr 17, 2017
    Holy -------
     
  15. Boaf 32

    Boaf 32 Formula Junior

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    #15 Boaf 32, Apr 17, 2017
    Ron White!
     
  16. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #16 johnk..., Apr 17, 2017
    My 85 308 is exempt. This may be the last test for the 355. Sometimes they go exempt in CT after 24 years if the car turns 25 before the current registration is up. Like if I had a 93 with registration due this year it might not be required to be tested this year (or ever again) since registration would not expire until 2019 and the car would be 25 in 2018.
     
  17. emac

    emac Formula Junior
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    #17 emac, Apr 17, 2017
    and we allow ourselves to be treated this way. Crazy. Glad SC dropped inspection years ago.
     
  18. schnazzy

    schnazzy Formula Junior

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    #18 schnazzy, Apr 17, 2017
    Wow. I live on the other side of the country. After 25 years, no more emissions, no front plate (if you get a classic plate). Some counties don't even have emissions. If I don't pass (even a check light), I can take it to an emissions certified mechanic (most are), and spend $150 or more to attempt to fix it. Whether fixed or not, automatic pass. (excluding if you have a ton of white smoke or something coming out the back and creating a big haze)
     
  19. 97 Spider

    97 Spider Formula 3

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    #19 97 Spider, Apr 17, 2017
    This is one of the reasons I like being in Montana. For the moment we still have no emissions testing and no inspections at all. Hope it stays that way rest of my life.
     
  20. bjwhite

    bjwhite F1 Rookie

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    #20 bjwhite, Apr 18, 2017
    Yeah but you don't have a direct international flight to Asia or Europe. :)
     
  21. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
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    #21 spider348, Apr 18, 2017
    John, here in the wonderful state of MA they simply scan the VIN from the label located on the driver's side door sill. Less work for them so they are happy!
    Current MA law exempts cars >15 years old from emissions testing. Still require $35 "Safety" inspection every year.
     
  22. andrew911

    andrew911 F1 Rookie
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    #22 andrew911, Apr 18, 2017
    But..........they are tasked with saving the earth from your car's emissions so you must cut them some slack! I'm sure if there are laws and procedures regarding state emission testing on the books, they were logically put on the books for a higher purpose... even if none of us taxpayers can figure out what logic was used :)
     
  23. andrew911

    andrew911 F1 Rookie
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    #23 andrew911, Apr 18, 2017
  24. sidtx

    sidtx F1 Rookie
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    #24 sidtx, Apr 18, 2017
    Here in Tx - No emissions testing after 25 years. Only a 7$ safety test (brakes, lights, etc.).

    Or, if you choose an "Antique" plate, no testing required at all. however, with the Antique plate, you are technically limited to "events" such as car shows, parades, or driving to/from a mechanic.

    I have normal (personalized) plates on my 85 Mondial. Had a bit of trouble with inspections when I first got it 2 years ago. The first place failed the car because they said the horn was too loud (it's the original air-horn). After checking around at various state inspection places, I found one that was managed by a guy that owns/restores old vettes. Haven't had a problem since then.


    Sid
     
  25. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2003
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    Claudio
    #25 mclaudio, Apr 18, 2017

    I'm going through this with my 355Ch in Seattle. Car failed, though it passed 2+ years ago before I had the major maintenance done. Fuel injection or timing adjustments may do the trick, but engine was tuned for track performance. Good thing about the $150 limit.
     
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