Bad emissions in VA

[spfrancis]

Hey, I had an emissions issue yesterday, and I wanted to see if I am completely missing something. On VA emissions they put the truck on a dyno, which will let the rear wheels spin. I was under the impression, from past emissions that they could not do a dyno test with my 91 cruiser since it is full time four wheel drive. Since they are only dyno'ing the rear wheels, it would be impossible to do this test on a Land cruiser. I just called the mechanic who did the test, and he was saying that my front wheels don't spin, so he was ble to do the normal 15 and 25 mph test. I was contemplating heading up there to have him show my how he did this test. Am I just missing something, or what? The only reason that I am questioning this test is because I failed, and the only category that I failed on was "NO", and on the previous tests, that was not applicable. Can some one enlighten me, before I go up there and possibly make a fool of my self?
Sony

 

[92FJ]

First of all, they arent suppose to put any 4WD or AWD vehicle on a dyno for many very obvious reasons. That will break the 4wd system and it is costly to fix. He might of gotten lucky but that was not correct. Btw, how many miles do you have on your truck? Have you dont a tune up and pvc job? Maybe that is why you failed. I have actually seen dumb inspection workers actually put 4wed vehicles on the dyno and its just funny how they dont know these things. The mechanic had to pay $1500 tp fix the 4wd system of the poor ladys lexus of which the mechanic broke

 

[NorCalDoug]

I'm not sure what the rules are in VA, but in California, they have an exception for dyno-ing full-time 4wd rigs like the 80 series. I've owned an 80 series for over 8 years and have never had one on a dyno for emissions testing. None of the places I've taken mine in for testing have had a 4-wheel dyno (two axle dyno?).

I'd go down and ask just how he did the test. And...you might want to make sure everything's cool with your rig.

FWIW, CA has some of the toughest emissions standards in the country -- my rigs have passed with flying colors each time.

 

[spfrancis]

Is it technically possible to put it on a dyno? I thought that as you put it in gear, it would start moving? Since the dyno is only on the back wheels. I guess I don't understand what they are putting on the dyno. I'm getting worried now, when you say that it will cause havoc with the 4wd mechanism?
Do you have any ideas on what I should look for as a problem?

Thanks again for your help?

 

[NorCalDoug]

now that I think about it...I wonder if he could have disconnected the front drive shaft...

 

[Digger276]

You might want to go to another emission station and ask their mechanic how it is done, and then go back to the original place and find out how he did it.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

THere are such things as 4wl dynos, although they are extremely rare. My money is on they dropped the front driveshaft like NorCal said or they didn't do it all.......Better check, though!

I mean, without the c lock engaged, is it possible that all of the power went to the rear? If so, it still sounds like if he ran it on a two wheel that could mean some trouble.

 

[robbie]

Here in Colorado, most of the emission stations have 4 wheel dyno's for the emissions testing, along with 2 wheel dyno's. Lots of cars here with full time 4 wheel drive. The center diff is not reall design for having the front wheels blocked or tied down and all the power driven through the rear drive shaft (IMHO) for long periods of time, maybe a short burst of a wheel spin. Yes go back and see how it was done, hopefully with a supervisor standing next to you. I am sure they have a SOP manual that may have instructions for the guy doing this. any how good luck. later robbie

 

[tea LC]

i don't know about AWD trucks, but you can dyno an AWD car -- we dyno the audi's all the time -- you'll notice the unique set-up tho //

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

There's emissions testing in VA? Since when?

 

[reffug]

There's emissions testing in VA? Since when?

Alot of the northern part of VA Ary, the really crowded places like fairfax, loudon, prince william etc......

Sure glad I don't live there.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Sure glad I don't live there.

Me too!

Although I'd imagine with the way the suburban/urban sprawl is going, you'll be up for it within 10 years

Being a hermit in the mountains looks more and more attractive everyday.....

 

[ace10]

i'm throwing the BS flag on the tech. there's only a handful of shops around here (NoVA) that have 4 wheel dynos. if your front wheels don't spin along with the rears, then you've got a problem.

it's a different procedure for full-time 4wd vehicles. no dyno used. my 80's last report shows N/A for nitric oxide (NO) as it is not tested during the two-speed idle procedure. your tech is claiming that he did the ASM test, read about it here....

DEQ's FAQ

http://www.deq.virginia.gov/mobile/mobfaq.html#tattot

either you've got a busted-up 80 or the shop is pulling a fast one. if it's the latter, i'd send a note to the DEQ. i'm sure that they'd be interested.

btw-who did this to you?

 

[robbie]

Some how a post of mine got lost. I do beleive you could do this as a center diff on a 91-92 80 has no viscous coupler, so in pratice it is a open diff. Would I do this? NO NO, I could think this would be dangerous in the least, and could do harm to the center diff expecially at the High way speeds these dyno's need to test the emissions. I still think you need to go talk to the supervisor or manager of the shop to see what really happens to full time vechicles at this shop, and get them to accept resposniablity damage that may be present. then have a mechanic (some that knows toyota cruisers). and then pass the bill on to the shop. later robbie

 

[spfrancis]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I was up there talking to the mechanic. He was showing me that with a single Dyno, and putting chucks on the front tire, that the cruiser would not crawl over the chucks. I could definitely tell that there was pressure being applied to the chucks from the front tire. The name of the place is C&C auto on Woodland road in I guess Sterling. It is located right next to where cruiser connections used to be, before they moved out to god's country. If any of you are familar with that reference. I didn't like the answers that this guy was giving me. Like comments like "...I've never had a problem with doing cruisers this way...." "you should talk to toyota, not a discussion board...." I told him that these guys live the cruiser, not like a dealership, or their establishment. I'm am really ticked off, and I'm not sure what the right course of action should be. The test probably ran my cruiser for 10-15 minutes at 15 and 25 mph each!! That really worries me. I just (with a lot of help from Kumar) rebuilt the birfields last summer. I hate having bone heads doing stuff with my truck, and not knowing what they are doing.

 

[spfrancis]

oh, by the way. I did go to another emissions place, and they said that the way they do the 80 series would be to do the test in Neutral. So the will check at idle, and then they will check at 2500rpm.

 

[fzj80kidpen]

I agree with Robbie,
At the very least you will educate a mechanic that will probably do the same to others if you or someone else does not check him or her on it.
Definitely a lesson that will not soon be forgotten if you do decide to call them out on it.

 

[ace10]

i'm pretty sure that they're not performing this test according to DEQ regs. at the very least, they're putting undue stress on your drivetrain and at the worst, they're setting you up for a costly emissions repair and/or driveline repair. bottom line... it's a bonehead approach to a relatively simple process that the DEQ mandates. DEQ allows vehicles such as the 80 to be tested without simulated acceleration.

it's not like the rolling test is done for a second or two, or at low speeds. i think that this place is screwing anyone who walks in the door with a awd/4wd vehicle. i'd kick it up the food chain, and at the very least demand a retest,
using the proper testing methods.

it's possible that your make/model doesn't have a valid ppm limit for NO in the system, as the vehicle isn't supposed to be tested for it!

i'll be sure to pass the word along about C&C AUTO IN STERLING.


*edited for spelling

 

[spfrancis]

so given the my last post, is the general consensus that I should talk to the manager of the property. I'm not quite sure to what end, is it worth talking to him. The link that ace10 provided seemed pretty clear on the rules for full-time or all-time 4wd drive. This guy seemed to think that he knew better than what the other emissions inspectors know. He was stating that it was completely possible to do a dyno test on the 80 series cruisers. I'm not sure if the only thing that is damaged is my pride. I hate to think that someone is doing stuff with my cruiser, who doesn't know jack about it. Also not sure if I should have anything checked out on the rig, after the fact.

Thanks again for all your help.
-S

 

[reffug]

Get it looked at by somebody reputable. I would have somebody's balls in a vise if they did that sort of s*** to my 80. Find out if anything is wrong and present the owner with a bill or tell them to expect a call from your lawyer. Fawk them.