Diesel smog check

[RobertN]

Is happening now! The Peoples Socialist Republik of Kalifornia is requiring smog checks on diesel pickups now.

I did not see anything about this till the registration renewal came yesterday for our truck. It says we have to smog check.

It is not a big deal; my Dodge is stock except the BHAF, and is in great condition. I just did not see that this was coming up. Will have to pop the stock air cleaner on there and have it tested.

New Legislation
Effective January 1, 2010, smog emission inspections are required for diesel-powered vehicles manufactured in or after 1998, and have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,000 pounds or less for original registrations and transfers. Biennial smog inspection requirements will be phased-in beginning with a registration renewal date of April 30, 2010.

 

[RobertN]

I just got back. The checked visual(ie all equipment in place), check engine light for codes(the light was not on on my truck, nor were there any codes). They check for smoke when hitting the throttle from and idle(small amount is ok; not clear how that volume is judged.

My truck did not have a Cat on it, so my aftermarket turbo back exhaust was ok.

The guy indicated they do not put a probe in the tailpipe, nor do they test for how the fuel cap seals(like on a gas engine vehicle).

Mine passed easily. It is stock, except for exhaust, and BHAF. I put my stock air box back on before the test.

 

[Dmace]

What year is the truck? 5.9l or 6.7l?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I sure hope that does not come to Indiana. We do not currently have check on any vehicles and I pray they keep it that way.

Chris

 

[Mike Costello]

I had heard rumors about smogging diesel rigs, but I left California 2 years ago for Missouri. What's the cost? I know the DMV has really cranked up the costs for renewal of tags etc. in California. I'll never forget the look on the face of the gal at the Dept. of Revenue (DOR) here in Missouri when I showed her my California renewal notice, $425.00. I honestly thought she was going to faint. When she recovered, we titled my 04 Ford F350 and registered it including weight tags for $78.00. I then sent my renewal notice back to California DMV with "no longer in California" written across it,as per their instructions. It was a pleasure to do so! Mike.

 

[RobertN]

As much as I totally dislike it, the program is probably worth it here. I was born and grew up just east of Sacramento(46 now). Now live a little further east in the foothills.

With the growth in the area, especially the last 20 years, the air is horrible a lot of the year, especially summer. This area is remotely like Los Angeles; a basin where the smog gets bottled in.

Most of the rest of the country does not have this issue of bottled up smog in one area.

Mike asked about cost; $57 for a smog check on over 8000lb gvwr vehicle. My '01 3/4 ton Dodge diesel is $385 this year to register; that is the real ouch in the pocket book.

I was just surprise; I knew there had been talk of testing diesels, but did not know it was actually starting.

I sure hope that does not come to Indiana. We do not currently have check on any vehicles and I pray they keep it that way.

Chris

 

[LoneCowboy]

They've been doing diesel checks here in Colorado for some years now.
ALL diesels.
But it's a lot better test than the pretend Kali one. As you mentioned, they just "look", what a load of poo. How about a scientific test? crazy

here in CO, it gets put on a dyno, and a sniffer in the tailpipe.
So much % allowed at a snap idle (punch it from idle), so much at each % of full RPM and they load it up hard.
Each year of course has different regs. (pre 03, 03-07, 07-09 and post 10).

You don't have to do it if you buy a NEW vehicle and keep it for the first 4 years, after that it's another annual tax. If you buy a used vehicle (even 100 miles on the clock), it's every year to be able to register.

Pickups are like $50 or so
Class 8's are $90 and up (big horsepower costs more)

 

[20 20]

Funny you bring this up. I was just at the repair/sales shop friday getting an inspection for my 99 chevy W4{same as isuzu npr}. I was asking about the new diesel isuzu's NPR. The sales guy told me that with all the new crap the diesel only gets 10mpg{mine gets over 20mpg}. He also said they were changing something else for this year that was suppose to help with the mpg{hahahahaha}. The only problem is that the sticker price brings the diesel $8,000.00 more then the gas. He also told me{he heard} that California was trying to completely wipe out ALL diesel's in there state by 2012? The salesmen was not against diesels at all, he was just pointing out how crazy things are getting.

 

[20 20]

To add to my last post, if all of these "so called" enviro laws and regs are so great why does it take twice as much fuel to do the same job? Is it truely helping the enviro or is it just more beaurocratic BS making money to line pockets?

 

[ModMech]

Many states have had "OBD Testing" for gasoline engines (cars and trucks) for over 10 years, some longer.

The idea is, if the OEM places emissions control devices (sensors etc) on a vehicle, they need to be maintained at some minimum level of functionality. I personally think that's fair on any vehicle.

BUT, it is CRAZY to perform emissions testing and to allow UNSAFE vehicles to be operated. It's like saying you won't be allowed to eve nhurt someone with your tailpipe, but go ahead and KILL them using the whole car. Duh.

It's true that the more emissions free most engine designes are, the more fuel they burn to do the same job. It doesn't have to be that way, but the manufacturers balance purchase cost, efficiency and maintenance. You can keep any TWO of those competing criteria under control, but not all three. It's a balancing act I'm glad not to have to worry about.

Back in the '70s people put their drain oil in the toilet, in the gutter or buried it in the dirt behind their house. Same with the batteries. Most people recognize that those practices are VERY hazardous to public health and won't do it any more. Emissions are like that too. It's not about being a "tree hugger", but about being able to breath clean air and drink clean water.

Yes, efficiency has gone down. We saw the same affect with the cars back in the 80's as they developed ever more complex emissions systems. Then they reached a tipping point, and now we have larger and heavier pickups and SUVs getting nearly TWICE the mileage as we got even with a 55 MPH speed limit. That's progress, and the diesels will get there too, and soon!