Washington Emissions Test

[kulwap]

I seached the forums and saw some older info about the opacity test. In particular;

http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008115

http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006070

Does anyone else have something to add? I just moved to Washington and and failed the test at 50% (needed 40%). I have another post;

http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008436

In that post I describe some on going problems with my sub, I am sure that this contributes to the emissions problems but I am not sure it is the only reason.

Finally, I have not had a lot of time to try and fix the problems myself. Any suggestions for a good diesel shop in the Spokane area?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

[TJ Moose]

I have a '95 Sub with the 6.5 TD - last time I had to go smog (almost 2 years ago - I'm due in December, Seattle area) I didn't pass either. At the time I didn't know jack about diesels except that I liked mine. I took it to one of the Dept of Ecology certified places that did diesels. After all the checks and $425 - you know what they did? Change air and fuel filters. DOH! But it then passed with flying colors. I've also heard that the fuel additives can help - as well as cutting the fuel a little bit with bio-diesel. But be careful on that - switching over to bio-diesel (from my reading on the subject)brings a whole other bunch of concerns with it - and I'll say I haven't tried the switch yet myself.
But you can't go wrong starting with the air and fuel filters. If your air filter is all jammed up - of course it'll tend to make things a little thicker combustion-wise.
Oh - PS - the cat was long gone from my rig before I bought it 6 years ago, and it does have someone's 3" performance system on. No one fromthe smog police has said boo about it in over 6 years and 125,000 miles - so I'd say that shouldn't have much bearing on things.

[MikeChase]

I've heard that Davis Diesel in Spokane is good, but I have no personal experience with them.

[MartyB]

TJ,

I would not worry about the aftermarket exhaust. I have had a Banks on mine since 98, no causes for concern either. I ahve not removed teh cat.......yet.......

A dirty AF does cause problems, as I have been there did that done that on many rigs locally at the emissions, both gas and diesel, and changing the AF cured the ills.