Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 13:03:05 -0800
Reply-To: Brent Christensen <sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brent Christensen <sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: CARB Certification
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I can explain it in a few simple words:
Bureaucracy. The nightmare of Red Tape.
<Libertarian rant>
Plain and simple, California is pretty much a Communist State now (or at
least a wannabe command-based socialist state). For an emissions test, they
actually hook up your car to a computer that goes ONLINE to the DMV database
and verifies VIN, mileage, ownership, chain of title, and who knows what
else. If anything doesn't jive, you have to go through "arbitration". (CARB
stands for California Air Resources Board, BTW.) If your car is different
from stock, there is NO LIMIT to the amount of money that CARB can force you
to spend to get your vehicle into compliance.
Now in a "get off our backs" place like Montana, this might mean visiting
the local official, having a friendly discussion, paying a fee (or not), and
signing a few forms after proving your case. In California, you will have
to wade through layers and layers of semi-literate bureaucrats (most of
whom don't speak English that is understandable), and each of whom will
treat you with contempt and suspicion before passing you off to the next
bureaucrat in line. This bureaucrat may or may *not* be the person that
canactually "help" you, and so you continue to repeat the process over and
over.
Weeks later (and many hours of your own time and frustration) you *MAY* find
your way to someone that is actually interested in helping you. Then again,
maybe not. In my experience, most of these "civil servants" are neither,
and have a very vague understanding of the actual laws governing their daily
activities. I have actually had situations where a person insisted that I
pay fines because of "legal violations", and threatened me with possible
criminal prosecution until I forced her to read the actual California
Vehicle Code section that specifically stated that what I was doing was
perfectly legal, and that I merely needed some information filed a certain
way. Argh!
Let me put it this way. I'd rather get caught for a felony in a third world
country. At least you can usually bribe your way out of that situation...
</Libertarian rant>
Before the flames start, don't get me wrong, I am in favor of cleaner air
and requirements that manufacturers produce more efficient, cleaner burning
cars. What I take issue with is the millions of tax dollars that get spent
to create a system that is so hostile to its customers (the citizenry), and
results in arbitrary rulings where it is "illegal" and/or extremently
painful to put an engine in your car that will actually be an IMPROVEMENT in
both of these areas...
I for one, would be very hesitant to install an engine conversion that was
not CARB certified, complete with all the little bits that make those
bureaucrats so happy...
>From: Bill Marshall <Willolyn99@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Willolyn99@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: CARB Certification
>Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 15:17:12 EST
>
>Someone said:
>"that without CARB certification, ....... a disaster for any owner in the
>emissions savvy states. Remember, what's in CA today will hit the rest of
>the
>lower 48 in 5 to 10."
>
> I must admit that I have no idea what this CARB stuff is. I never
>lived
>in CA, and only visited a few times. My van passed emissions here in
>Aridzona. They put the van on a dyno and strap a hose to the tailpipe, rev
>it up and down, and measure the fumes. Hydrocarbons, Nitrous oxides,
>Carbon
>Monoxide, etc. Pass or fail. They also pressure test the fuel system,
>except
>when the cap doesn't fit. ;) No inspection of tires, brakes, lights, or
>any
>of that unimportant stuff.
> How much tougher is the CA test? If someone could explain in 150
>words
>or less that would be great. I am curious as to what all the hubbub is
>about. Also, anyone with info from Florida would be great too.
>
>Bill Marshall
>85 GL Tiico
>Phoenix
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