Emissions Fiasco

[phillika]

On Monday, I had my 95 YJ emissioins tested to renew my registration. I thought I was saving time by going to a closer repair shop as opposed to the usual emissions place that I've used in the past which was another 5 mins away. For the first time in it's 8-year life, my YJ failed...and I think the failure is suspect. The $25 dollar test turned into a $500 repair before I could get the registration renewed. Needless to say, I was NOT happy.

They say it failed the NOX readings and that my cat converter was bad. Three hours, a $95 diagnostic, and a $400 cat converter later they said it failed the test again. But they discovered the test operator was running it in the wrong gear...once they fixed that, it passed. I asked if it would have passed in the first place, but they insisted that it wouldn't have and that the cat converter is bad. Once it fails, you have to have a repair certificate before it can be retested so you can't get a second opinion.

My cat converter was about 100K miles old so I guess its not out of the question that it could have been bad. Still, while there's no way to tell for sure, I have this nagging suspicion that if I took it to the place that I normally have it inspected, it probably would have passed the first time with only a $25 dollar charge. Furthermore, if it did fail, I would have been more trusting of the results. I took my 86 CJ to the other test station that I've used before and it passed the first time...and I think it's even running a bit rich.

Here's my lesson and suggestion: If your state requires emissions inspections, unless you trust the shop, go to one of the places that ONLY does emissions and oil changes. Repair shops have a bit of an incentive when a vehicle fails since they can charge typically high diagnostic fees and repair charges to a semi-captive customer. So given a test that can hinge on operator technique, don't take any chances.

[Sound_Man]

Originally Posted by phillika

Here's my lesson and suggestion: If your state requires emissions inspections, unless you trust the shop, go to one of the places that ONLY does emissions and oil changes.

I totally agree with this. I have seen people get reamed at shops for no aparent reason before.

The shop I go to for emissions is pretty cool. My jeep passed and is only running on 4 of 6 cylinders. Two cylinders have bad rings and valves. But it passed

[XJNick]

If it makes you feel any better...

I had just installed a new catalytic converter on my Jeep and it went bad within a year, sounded like a can full of marbles. I bought it for about $70 at an autoparts store. Guess I got what I paid for

-Nick

[MudderChuck]

I researched CAT´s a few years back, Jeep said, 7 years or 100,000 miles is the design parameter, for the OEM CAT. Which were stated as minimum numbers. Main premature CAT failures were, pyhsical damage and rich motor/overheating of the CAT.
I´ve had a few shop´s try and rack me over the coals. Three things that scare the heck out of them are, the word lawyer, AAA and give me the old part. Once took the Jeep in for a recall seat belt repair and got a bill for $400. The shop ended up paying for the lawyer, a rental car, my lost time, there lost time and a independant specialist to certify the repairs weren´t needed.

[cj5steve]

if i ever have to pass emitons i have to buy a trailer and a tow vehecle or i am scrwed.and it is coming closer and closer to where i live.not good.

[Sully]

I passed with a bad carb and cat.One of the only reasons I hate california is because of the darn emissions,they are the toughest to pass.

[graewulf]

you got screwed or that cat was defective.. i've never had to replace a cat with any vehicle and have had over 200k on several

[jps4jeep]

I can't get over the $400 for the cat! Ouch that is a bit steep. I paid to have 2 new ones put on the wifes 84 mustang and it was only $280 But this was also back in 96. I put one on my jeep, the cat is a high flow unit and cost me $200, put it in myself.

[jhiggins]

$400 ouch that hurts ....well atleast it is back on the road again...