SOT Washington State ends emission testing

[Son of Marty]

When I stopped by to pick up my tabs they had a big sign saying the program ends Jan 1 2020 because all areas in the state meet the clean air act and the state has no legal standing to continue the tests. Doesn't effect 2002's but most people have newer cars have needed testing.?

[timebandit]

Great news for Washington residents! I live in California and still have to smog my 1976 2002.

[roadhog0]

I dont own anything new enough to need emissions in WA lol! 

[TobyB]

I didn't realize the OBD2 test was going away.

 

2020 is the 25 year threshold for OBD1 cars...

 

t

lives outside the emissions zone anyway.

Also outside the Sound Transit Cash Grab Region

 

[Healey3000]

What does the fine print say?  In CA, they stopped emissions testing a few years ago but they still do a periodic "visual Inspection" to make sure the car has not been modified in a manner that can alter emissions.

 

[Son of Marty]

Washington has never done visual inspection, don't know if they will start now but doubt they'll start, I'm looking forward to the state auctioning off 250 chassis dyno at once they will probably set the value at 100 bucks or less. 

 

Marty, who suddenly needs more shop space.

[conkitchen]

1 hour ago, Healey3000 said:

..... In CA, they stopped emissions testing a few years ago but they still do a periodic "visual Inspection" to make sure the car has not been modified in a manner that can alter emissions.

 

Huhh? please elaborate. 

[Healey3000]

11 hours ago, conkitchen said:

Huhh? please elaborate. 

A few years ago, perhaps five or six, not sure, when I took my car in per the "smog check required" notice on the registration renewal, the tech popped the hood, took a close look at everything visually and said I was good to go.  He didn't even start the engine.  Needless to say, I was surprised.

 

They no longer did the sniffer test, he said, nor the dyno runs they had implemented for a while.  I'm not sure why the change.

[rcf925]

13 hours ago, conkitchen said:

Huhh? please elaborate. 

 

 

It varies county by county, They sniff test in some and just plug into OBDii port in others and look for codes, Any codes you fail

[Preyupy]

I guess I can retire the "Kobayashi Maru" program in my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 now.  It has gotten me though the OBDII smog test for the last 4 tests.  Time to turn up the boost!

[JerryC]

Here in north CA, a smog tech informed me that they only dyno and sniff OBD1 vehicles and earlier (back to '76). OBD2 vehicles store historical data, so they get a computer check and a fairly quick visual check only. The test device downloads stored data from the vehicle that the computer software analyzes for uncorrected faults. The vehicle didn't even need to be running during the test. Quick and relatively painless, unless something's wrong I suppose.

[Healey3000]

Ah, that makes sense, thanks!

[roadhog0]

Was about to say, never hooked any of my OBD1 rigs to a chassis dyno in WA. Lots of sniffers on those though. Also ran the OBD2 port. 

Funny story, cut the most likely bad Cat off my folks truck a year ago (94 big block Chev). Said run it and see what emissions says when it comes up, full well knowing I'd have to put a Cat on it. Old man calls me after he gets back this year, passed sniffer with flying colors! I was shocked.

[Preyupy]

When their computer asked my computer if everything was ok, mine just replied "sure, everything is JUST FINE"  when they said I passed I did have to stifle a wide eyed REALLY?!  I fully expected to spend 4-5 hours putting things back and going back for a re-test.  James T. Kirk is my mentor. 

[Healey3000]

"It's dead, Jim".