vehicle inspection rant

[RobertN]

Years ago when Ca first started actually testing, my Dad had his Jeep tested. It was a '70 CJ5, with the factory installed Buick 225 V6(option from '66-71).

It started out as a 2bbl, single exhaust, and smog pump.

My Dad had install a 4bbl Offy intake, small Holley 4bbl, Offy cam, and Hooker headers. Smog pump was removed, but all the stock parts were saved.

It passed smog test, running VERY clean.

A big part of the smog systems, is they make up for folks who dont keep their vehicle tuned. That Jeep passed great, because everything about the upgrades had included tuning the carb, jetting for the headers and cam, adjusting the timing perfectly.

It was really kinda sad. With the minor upgrades, it got much better fuel mileage, had lots more performance, and ran significantly cleaner than the spec for that year/motor. But, it would not pass because of the upgrades...

emissions testing

IMO another joke, watch a 70's vehicle with straight pipes pass "emissions test" while a car from the late 90's couldn't, go figure :confused2: Garage owner did the test just to see what would happen.

 

[dfkrug]

20 20, I have actually heard of a truck with seized kingpins. Just the one time though, and it was obvious because of the extra steering effort needed.

I had a 71 Datsun pickup when I lived in MI. It was only a few years old
when I bought it, but the right kingpin got so tight I could barely steer.
The salty roads really did a number on vehicles back then, and my
ancient Datsun had no power steering. If you had PS, I don't know how
you would detect it.

Anyway, in CA, if you are given a "fix-it" ticket by the police, for something
like a burned out tail light, you have to take your car to the CHP and then
they look for other violations. No regular safety inspections, but the
smog inspections now average $65-75 every 2y and are still done by
private businesses. You get 6 y before your first inspection if the car is
new.

 

[Reg]

SimS, when they told me they were too tight I must have looked like a deer being punched in the head while getting caught in the shine of a head light.That's why I imediatly thought....... what

Fenix: a few years back there was a garage that got their inspection lic. pulled because of bogus strut sales. they were telling folks that they needed struts when there was nothing wrong with the original. Turns out they were getting a free florida vacation with X amount of strut sales

I did call the 1st place back and told them exactly what I did and that I was very upset that they were planing on charging me for bogus repairs. The gentleman I talked with was very apologetic and was trying to get ahold of the top dog. If I had a dollar for every sorry he said to me over the phone, I'd be rich. I just hope this put enough scare into them that the next guy won't be paying for stuff he doesn't need.

Too bad you alerted them to the fact that you and others are aware of what they're trying to pull.
I think I would have gone straight to the RMV or AG'S office with this one, see if they could set up a sting operation on 'em.

 

[20 20]

Too bad you alerted them to the fact that you and others are aware of what they're trying to pull.
I think I would have gone straight to the RMV or AG'S office with this one, see if they could set up a sting operation on 'em.

You guys that suggested this are probably correct, maybe I should have went to a higher source and turned them in.

As far as the KP's being siezed, not at all likely, no trouble steering and they take grease fine. Plus like I wrote 3 other certified mechanics checked it out, 2 at one heavy equipment shop and then another one at an inspection shop.

 

[bearhawk]

Used to be, it was around $20, pass or fail.. Now, thanks to the ease and paper-saving computerized version, it's $45+ for the same work.......

I think the state gets $20 for their fee, so the garage does the work for 25 bucks.

You have to pay somewhere for our income and sales tax free state ! :thumbsup:

 

[ToadHill]

I bought a used car from a local dealer a number of years ago. When I went to pick it up I noticed the front tires were bald. I asked if the car had passed inspection and was told," Don't you see the sticker on the windshield?" I said the front tires never would have passed inspection if I'd done it. (I used to work in an inspection station). Their answer was "WELL WE PASSED IT."

I drove it about 1/2 mile to the local police station and told them my story. One of the officers went with me back to the dealer and told them he wanted to watch them reinspect this car, since all cars sold have to pass inspection unless they are sold with a junk title.

When I finished waiting it came out with not 2 but 4 new tires.

This place had been a good place to do business for many years and new owners had taken over about 6 months earlier. Within another 6 months they were out of business.

 

[Bird]

I bought a nice clean '99 F150 from a Ford dealer in 2002. As part of the deal, I told them I wanted a new state inspection sticker on it and the salesman even put it in writing. But when I went to pick it up, it still had a sticker that was about 6 months old. The salesman said he had thought it had an expired sticker and that they could not put a new one on it while it had a current sticker. I assured him that they could; he insisted they couldn't so I told him to forget it then and I headed out the door. He said, "You're not going to back out of a deal over an inspection sticker, are you?" And I said, "No, but apparently you are. I'm backing out of a deal because you lied to me." I left and went home. In less than an hour, they were calling, begging me to come back.:laughing: And of course the truck had a new inspection sticker on it.

I'm sure a lot of people don't know that if something happens to a vehicle (in Texas) that would render it unable to pass inspection, you are supposed to get it fixed and re-inspected. Headlight burned out; we replace it, but no one that I know of bothers to follow that small technicality and get it reinspected. I did get vehicles of mine reinspected a couple of times when the windshields got broken and replaced.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Bird, I am sure that reinspection is the right way to go, but I would never do it myself. I mean, take it for inspection because I changed a H4 in the reflector?

Anyway, now I am planning to get the new to me Honda CB750 through VA inspection; I replaced the top fork bracket since it was cracked and I think cracked steering on motorcycle is not too much of a good thing - but other than that I am not sure what are they gonna look for and check.

 

[Bird]

Bird, I am sure that reinspection is the right way to go, but I would never do it myself. I mean, take it for inspection because I changed a H4 in the reflector?

Anyway, now I am planning to get the new to me Honda CB750 through VA inspection; I replaced the top fork bracket since it was cracked and I think cracked steering on motorcycle is not too much of a good thing - but other than that I am not sure what are they gonna look for and check.

I would have loved to have a CB750 years ago. I did have a 400 cc Honda but can't remember the model, then a GL650 Honda Silverwing Interstate, and finally a 1985 Aspencade (full dress 1200 cc). The CB750 was a really nice bike. I don't know what Virginia does, but in Texas motorcycles and travel trailers usually confuse the inspectors.:laughing: Some will get the book out to see what they're supposed to inspect while others just look at the lights and let it go at that.:laughing:

 

[fishman]

I would have loved to have a CB750 years ago. I did have a 400 cc Honda but can't remember the model, then a GL650 Honda Silverwing Interstate, and finally a 1985 Aspencade (full dress 1200 cc). The CB750 was a really nice bike. I don't know what Virginia does, but in Texas motorcycles and travel trailers usually confuse the inspectors.:laughing: Some will get the book out to see what they're supposed to inspect while others just look at the lights and let it go at that.:laughing:

I can't get anyone to inspect my bikes but the local bike shop. Luckily they are honest and helpful and quick too.

I get my vehicles inspected at oil change places and they always pass. Seems like without the incentive of big profits they don't find anything wrong