Originally Posted by Nsaan

I was talking with a mechanic today and he said one of his customers just ran through emissions today and failed, due to the fact that his cat had been gutted and welded back in. In Maricopa County, Arizona they do emissions inspections and used to just check with a mirror to see that the cat is there.

I guess when the guy ran through today, there is a procedure they have recently added, where they shove a flexible fiberglass rod that is marked with measurements, in your tail pipe and it is supposed to stop at the cat when it hits the core of it. They then measure the length to the cat to see if it is correct.

I know of a few who have cut them out and knocked the guts out and welded back in. THEY WILL ALL FAIL NOW.

Consider your self warned......

I am glad that all of the diesels I own came from the factory with no cat. You would think I planned it that way, but it was just a happy coincidence, as I didn't know any better when I bought my vehicles, other then the X.

Moderators, I cross posted this to the other diesel forum pages, as an FYI, people need to know about this before they fail due to it.

Originally Posted by snorindad

That sucks! That was on my list for this year.

Originally Posted by amdriven2liv

How do they get past the muffler?

Originally Posted by ARTICLE 10. MOTOR VEHICLES; INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE

H. In area A, the inspection test procedure for a diesel-powered vehicle is as follows:
1. A diesel-powered vehicle with a GVWR greater than 8,500 pounds shall be tested with a procedure that conforms to Society of Automotive Engineers standard J1667, February 1996, incorporated by reference and on file with the Department and the Secretary of State. This incorporation by reference contains no future editions or amendments. A copy of this referenced material may be obtained at Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. The procedure shall utilize the corrections for ambient test conditions in Appendix B of J1667 for all tests. The test results shall be reported as the percentage of smoke opacity. Emissions pass-fail determinations are as follows:
a. A vehicle powered by a 1991 or later model year diesel engine fails if the J1667 final test result is greater than 40%, unless the engine family is exempted from the 40% standard under subsection (H)(1)(e);
b. A vehicle powered by a pre-1991 model year diesel engine fails if the J1667 final test result is greater than 55%, unless the engine family is exempted from the 55% standard under subsection (H)(1)(e);
c. The engine model year is determined by the emission control label. If the emission control label is missing, illegible, or incorrect, the test standard shall be 40%, unless a correct, legible, emission control label replacement is attached to the vehicle within 30 days of the inspection;
d. A vehicle that exceeds the opacity standard in subsection (H)(1)(a) or (b) fails the emissions test. Before reinspection, the vehicle shall have a low emissions tune-up as described in R18-2-1010(H);
e. The Director shall exempt any engine family from the standards in subsections (H)(1)(a) or (b) if the engine manufacturer demonstrates either of the following:
i. The engine family exhibits smoke opacity greater than the standard when in good operating condition and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The Director shall identify a technologically appropriate less stringent standard based on a review of data obtained from engines in good operating condition and adjusted to manufacturer's specifications; or
ii. The engine family is exempted from an equivalent standard based on J1667 by the executive officer of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The Director shall allow the engine family to comply with any technologically appropriate less stringent standard identified by the executive officer of CARB; and
f. A demonstration under subsection (H)(1)(e)(i) shall be based on data from at least three vehicles. Data from official inspections under subsection (H)(1) showing that vehicles in the engine family meet the standard may be used to rebut the demonstration. The Director shall implement any new standard resulting from each exemption as soon as practicable for all subsequent tests and provide notice at all affected test stations and fleets.

2. A diesel-powered vehicle with a GVWR greater than 4,000 pounds and less than or equal to 8,500 pounds shall be tested by a loaded dynamometer test by applying a single load of 30 HP, ± 2 HP, while operated at 50 MPH. A diesel-powered vehicle with a GVWR of 4,000 pounds or less shall be tested by a loaded dynamometer test by applying a single load of between 6.4 - 8.4 HP while operated at 30 MPH. For all diesel-powered vehicles with a GVWR less than or equal to 8,500 pounds:
(deleted)

I. In area B, the inspection test procedure for a diesel-powered vehicle is as follows:
1. A diesel-powered vehicle with a GVWR greater than 26,000 pounds or having tandem axles shall be tested according to one of the following methods:
(deleted)
2. A diesel-powered vehicle without tandem axles and having a GVWR greater than 10,500 pounds and less than or equal to 26,000 pounds shall be tested according to one of the following methods:
a. The vehicle shall be tested on a chassis dynamometer beginning with no power absorption by selecting a gear ratio that produces a maximum vehicle speed of 30-35 MPH at governed or maximum rated RPM. If the vehicle has a manual transmission or an automatic transmission with individual gear selection, the engine shall be operated at governed or maximum rated engine RPM, at normal operating temperature under a power absorption load applied to the dynamometer until such loading reduces the engine RPM to 80% of the governed speed at wide-open throttle position. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission and automatic gear kickdown, the engine shall be loaded to a speed just above the kickdown speed or 80% of governed speed, whichever is greater. If the chassis dynamometer does not have enough horsepower absorption capability to lug the engine down to these speeds, the vehicle's brakes may be used to assist the dynamometer;
b. The vehicle shall be tested by applying a single load of 30 HP, ± 2 HP, while operated at 50 MPH; or
c. The vehicle shall be tested by being lugged by its own brakes by selecting a gear ratio that produces a maximum speed of 10-15 MPH at governed engine RPM or maximum rated RPM and then loading the engine by applying the brakes until the engine RPM is lugged down to 80% of the governed or maximum rated RPM at wide-open throttle position. If the vehicle does not have a tachometer, the vehicle may be loaded to 80% of governed or maximum rated speed.

3. A diesel-powered vehicle with a GVWR of greater than 4,000 pounds and less than or equal to 10,500 pounds shall be tested by a loaded dynamometer test by applying a single load of 30 HP, ± 2 HP, while operated at 50 MPH.

4. A diesel-powered vehicle with a GVWR of 4,000 pounds or less shall be tested by a loaded dynamometer test by applying a single load of between 6.4 - 8.4 HP while operated at 30 MPH.

5. The emissions pass-fail determination shall be performed:
a. The opacity reading during a period of 10 consecutive seconds with the engine under applicable loading specified in subsections (I)(1) through (4) shall be compared to the opacity standard specified in R18-2-1030(B). A vehicle that does not exceed the opacity standard in R18-2-1030(B) complies with the minimum emissions standards.
b. A vehicle that exceeds the standard in R18-2-1030(B) fails the emissions test. Before reinspection, the vehicle shall have a low emissions tune-up as described in R18-2-1010.

6. Exhaust sampling shall comply with the following:
a. For a diesel-powered vehicle equipped with multiple exhaust pipes, separate measurements shall be made on each exhaust pipe. The reading taken from the exhaust pipe that has the highest opacity reading shall be used for comparison with the standard in R18-2-1030(B).
b. A vehicle shall be inspected with either a full-flow or sampling-type opacity meter. The opacity meter shall be a direct reading, continuous reading light extinction-type using a collimated light source and photo-electric cell, accurate to a value within ± 5% of filter value.

J. All diesel-powered vehicles shall undergo a tampering inspection under subsection (E)(7).

Originally Posted by Subsection (E)(7)

7. A vehicle required to take an annual emissions test in area A shall, at the time of the test, undergo a tampering inspection based on the original configuration of the vehicle as manufactured. The applicable emissions system requirements shall be verified by the "VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION" label. A vehicle that fails any portion of the tampering inspection shall be repaired according to R18-2-1009 before reinspection unless the owner provides the written statement required in R18-2-1008(B). "Original configuration" for a foreign- manufactured vehicle means the design and construction of a vehicle produced by the manufacturer for original entry and sale in the United States. The tampering inspection shall consist of the following:
a. Any vehicle emissions tested, except one with a vented fuel system, shall have a functional test of the gas cap to determine that cap leakage does not exceed 60 cubic centimeters of air per minute at a pressure of 30 inches of water gauge. A vehicle with a vented fuel system shall be checked for the presence of a properly fitting fuel cap.
b. For a 1975 and newer model year vehicle:
i. A visual inspection to determine the presence and proper installation of each required catalytic converter, if applicable;
ii. An examination to determine the presence of an operational air pump, if applicable; and
iii. A visual inspection to determine the presence of an operational positive crankcase ventilation system and evaporative control system, if applicable.

Originally Posted by Nsaan

Arizona gets closer to kalifornia all the time, if your exhaust is stock I doubt they would even try, makes a good selling point for a multi-chamber muffler to me.
MisterMCK, why would I throw a friend under a bus on a public forum when "modifying or removing emission control devices carries a hefty fine". Cite my source... Nah, don't think so, I was ambiguous on purpose

Originally Posted by Nsaan

In my county the emissions test for my truck is the 40ppm opacity test that is held in the exhaust. They do a snap throttle test where you floor it and hold it wide open for 15 seconds at a time, you end up doing it 6 times, 3 for practice and then 3 for the actual test. I have failed on my cummins before because it will wrap To almost 4k and the red line on the dash is 3500. I had to put a second throttle stop on it just to run through emissions that limits it to less the full throttle. I drive to just around the corner from emissons pop the hood pull the cover put on a hose clamp close the cover and the hood back up and it blows clean. I take the chip back to stock too. Reminds me of the old days when you tune your car so it passes emissions and then tune it back up so it would run!
Here is AZ they do have portable smog stations that would catch you blowing black as you got on the free way and send you a letter, and there is a anonymous reporting line too if you smoke out a Prius they can call and report you. I know because I have gotten the letter before, It is like a badge of honor for me I laugh every time I read it. There is no teeth in the letter it just asks you to make sure you vehicle is running right. That truck gets over 20 on the highway... Good enough for me.

Originally Posted by MisterCMK

So everything you are saying is heresay.

Originally Posted by MisterCMK

Sounds to me like you need to have your truck fixed. If you have a stock truck that cannot pass the opacity test then it needs to be fixed.