Emissions Tests Fixed for sure

[IoannI]

Honestly, I think the emissions tests are fixed. Again with my aunts car. So I kept the car at my place. So I did a third test and the car didn't pass. So I go I'll change the CAT and the 02 sensor and even go back to my old high school and plug it into the computer to do an alalysis. I had the car for a week now sitting in my driveway. I never got around to do anything else to the car.

So I take the car this morning to this independant shop that I found driving to one of my service calls yesterday. So I booked an appointment for this morning. I take the car in. Plug it into the computer to do a diagnostics, turns out the problem is the evaporator, which does not effect the e-test results or thats what I was taught back high school auto class. So I go to the guy can you still do an e-test for me, he goes to me yeah.

Guy does the test and the car passes. I sat there and watched the guy to the test and it passed. No manipulation or anything. Limit for the NOx for the car is 435 and the car got 304 today.

So honestly, I think the emissions tests are fixed. That if the shop wants to milk someone they will just somehow fail the car. And if they are honest they will pass the car. Like it makles really no sense to me how it could pass this time with the same amount of work done as last time.

Anyways thats my two cents on E-Tests.

[hytong]

you said CAT and O2 sensor is new since the last test failure, isn't it?

[TenzoR]

I just took mine to the dealer, got a free car wash, had their coffee while I waited. It was the same price as going anywhere else since the price was regulated by the Gov anyways.

[IoannI]

you said CAT and O2 sensor is new since the last test failure, isn't it?

I Changed the spark plugs with Bosch Platinums, Ignition Wires, new air filter, fuel filter and EGR valve since the last test.

[spf1971]

I Changed the spark plugs with Bosch Platinums, Ignition Wires, new air filter, fuel filter and EGR valve since the last test.

Maybe that had something to do with you passing the test.

[D-3vil]

I Changed the spark plugs with Bosch Platinums, Ignition Wires, new air filter, fuel filter and EGR valve since the last test.

A malfunctioning EGR system would have more than likely caused the failure.

[hytong]

http://www.aircare.ca/repinfo-ere-causes.php

[ES_Revenge]

So I take the car this morning to this independant shop that I found driving to one of my service calls yesterday. So I booked an appointment for this morning. I take the car in. Plug it into the computer to do a diagnostics, turns out the problem is the evaporator, which does not effect the e-test results or thats what I was taught back high school auto class.
EVAP actually does affect emissions. In fact depending on the EVAP failure they should not pass you just going on that. An evap failure that causes the MIL to illuminate is probably just the type of DTC that they should fail you on. The EVAP system is responsible for controlling the escape (or well the non-escape) of fuel that has vapourised in the system. Vapourised fuel or fuel gasses which escape into the atmosphere are a major pollutant to the planet. This is incidentally why you can fail an e-test for not having a gas cap or having a defective gas cap on your gas tank. If your EVAP system isn't working right it could be venting fuel vapours into the atmosphere, which again is a major pollutant.

Guy does the test and the car passes. I sat there and watched the guy to the test and it passed. No manipulation or anything. Limit for the NOx for the car is 435 and the car got 304 today.

So honestly, I think the emissions tests are fixed. That if the shop wants to milk someone they will just somehow fail the car. And if they are honest they will pass the car. Like it makles really no sense to me how it could pass this time with the same amount of work done as last time.

Anyways thats my two cents on E-Tests.

The tests are not fixed, and it's well known that results can vary by quite a bit depending on conditions, and test equipment. There's at least no evidence to support the claim that the test itself is "fixed" on any sort of large scale. It's also possible that either the shop(s) you went to before or the shop you went to this time has a problem with equipment calibration or there was operator error with the test equipment. While I'm sure the calibration of these machines is checked at regular intervals, it's certainly possible that between intervals, failures/problems occur. Or, it could simply have been a test variance, as mentioned.

Perhaps it's even possible (though unlikely) the first place you took it to was doing something intentionally to cause you to fail, but you still have no evidence of that. Furthermore you certainly have absolutely nothing to go on, to make a claim that there's any widespread "fixing" going on as you seem to imply.

The fact that you passed is good for you, but the car is still a relatively heavy polluter. Your case only shows just how useless e-testing is in ON. It has nothing to do with reducing emissions, it's just to make money for the government and for garages, unfortunately. I don't think your car should have passed just on the EVAP failure (though I'm not sure what type of failure it is so it may not affect emissions), plus your car still pollutes a good bit more than it should, IMO, compared to if it was in proper running condition.

Maybe that had something to do with you passing the test.
I believe he did that stuff, had it tested again and failed again. Then went for a 3rd test at a different place and passed, without doing any additional work after the 2nd test.

[IoannI]

The tests are not fixed, and it's well known that results can vary by quite a bit depending on conditions, and test equipment. There's at least no evidence to support the claim that the test itself is "fixed" on any sort of large scale. It's also possible that either the shop(s) you went to before or the shop you went to this time has a problem with equipment calibration or there was operator error with the test equipment. While I'm sure the calibration of these machines is checked at regular intervals, it's certainly possible that between intervals, failures/problems occur. Or, it could simply have been a test variance, as mentioned.


Honestly, I always believed that they were not fixed what so ever. But going through this testing experience, my mind makes me think that it is. I think that they have to have so sort of quota for fail test for themselves to make "X" amount of dollars or that they just do whatever they feel like doing.

You do bring up a good point about test equipment and maintenence of them. That could be a possibility, that if they are not maintained proper they could be producing false equipment.


Perhaps it's even possible (though unlikely) the first place you took it to was doing something intentionally to cause you to fail, but you still have no evidence of that. Furthermore you certainly have absolutely nothing to go on, to make a claim that there's any widespread "fixing" going on as you seem to imply.


What I think happend was this. The first time my aunt did the test, it failed because it was pollouting to much. So I went to do the test just by using premium gas only because I figured the car passed the last e-test with flying colors the car really had no problem (even though 2 years has passed) and maybe since she is a woman they try to milk her into do reapairs that are not needed. So I think when I went to the test and I couldn't provide service records, they failed the test cause they thought I was just ********ting them plus so they could get the business. Then when I went to that shop that I found the car passed cause the guy was a honest person who just wanted to make a honest buck.

The fact that you passed is good for you, but the car is still a relatively heavy polluter. Your case only shows just how useless e-testing is in ON. It has nothing to do with reducing emissions, it's just to make money for the government and for garages, unfortunately. I don't think your car should have passed just on the EVAP failure (though I'm not sure what type of failure it is so it may not affect emissions), plus your car still pollutes a good bit more than it should, IMO, compared to if it was in proper running condition.


It's great that it passed. It's a big relief off my aunt shoulder, as well as mine. It's great that it passed without having to do more work on it, as for my aunt to do the work its not the best of times right now since she is back in college and has a small income.

Eventually I'm gonna get around to changing the 02 sensor and the CAT. Honestly, I don't know what to believe from each test result. From the failures it shows its a heavy polluter but from the last test it shows it really not. So I'm gonna slowly bring it up to "proper running condition". It might be producing more polloution then it should that why I'm gonna do the rest of the work on the car so that its good for the next test in 2 years.

Ohh yeah I know it has nothing to do with reducing emissions. If it did then every province, state and country would do it. Definatly its money grabbing scam, thats why I think its also fixed.


I believe he did that stuff, had it tested again and failed again. Then went for a 3rd test at a different place and passed, without doing any additional work after the 2nd test.

The 3rd time is when the car was tested with the stuff I did. The 3rd time car failed. The 4th time is when it passed without any additional work done to the car other then the work I had done to it prior to test #3.

[hytong]

it is a cash grab and the cost is paid by vehicle owners (polluters) to keep their machinery (vehicles with internal combustion engine) in tune and keep pollution level at a min, otherwise there will be more cost (http://www.oma.org/Health/Smog/report/icap05a.asp#). At least the collection has a direct impact on emissions.

$35 every 2 yr (after 5 yrs) is not too bad if you've seen the yellow brown air (smog) hover over the 401 and felt the diminished oxygen level. It tells you how well the engine is running too. Any emission repairs are cost of owning the vehicle in the place where you live in. :o Canada is considered as a developed country (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developed_country).

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_010522.htm

If it makes you feel any better: truckers drive clean emission test is market rate and there is no limit on repairs and if you see one of these guys smoking you can report (http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/air/driveclean/report.php) them :twisted:

[vr6man25]

egr is the problem here.

[spf1971]

Ohh yeah I know it has nothing to do with reducing emissions. If it did then every province, state and country would do it. Definatly its money grabbing scam, thats why I think its also fixed.
.

Ontario does have a larger concentration of vehicles in an area compared to other provinces. A small change in a big group has a bigger effect than if the group is smaller. How many smog days does Toronto have each year? In the whole province of Newfoundland we don't have any so there is a greater need to reduce pollution in some areas than others.

[belowzeros]

IoannI where was the place that you liked where you passed? I need one done myself and I think we live in the same area.

thanks

[jjtsl]

I would need to take my car in for the emissions test pretty soon, and was wondering if there are any test centre recommendations? I'm located in Markham, but am willing to travel around the GTA for a honest and reliable test centre.

[sickcars]

last time i head using premium Gas then running emissions actually makes it worse as its supposed to kinda clean the engine so its not going to burn as clean as regular.

also taking the car on the high way for 20-30min and getting the cat warm and all that then taking it for the emission test helps also.

[jjtsl]

I would need to take my car in for the emissions test pretty soon, and was wondering if there are any test centre recommendations? I'm located in Markham, but am willing to travel around the GTA for a honest and reliable test centre.

:arrowu: Anyone?

[petah]

canadian tire.... you can watch them doing the test....

[mau108]

are you f'ing shitting me, you say you replaced all those parts after the last test and you some how passed this test and assume its fixed?

what are you a moron?

[jjtsl]

canadian tire.... you can watch them doing the test....

Doesn't seem like you are kidding, and I'm going to keep an open mind, so which CT did you have a good experience in doing the e-test?

[thelefteyeguy]

Doesn't seem like you are kidding, and I'm going to keep an open mind, so which CT did you have a good experience in doing the e-test?

i've had 4 prior emission test at CT

twice: Sheppard/McCowen
twice: Kingston Rd/Eglinton

(watched them do it too ...cause the rig is located right beside the garage door)

all pass

I usually fill up my tank with 94 Octane (1 tank before and again during the test). Change my spark plugs. Drive on the highway for a good 20mins (@>100km/h) before arriving. ALWAYS book it in advance so your car is not waiting too long before the test.

[jjtsl]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try them before bringing the car in.

[thephenom]

Why not do it at a dealership? Same cost as another other shady small shops. And you get free coffee with it!

[jjtsl]

Update: I ended up doing the emissions test at Markville Toyota dealership in Markham. Not only was it relatively newly renovated, for $35 + tax, there's a free car wash as well. Service was also pretty good.