Date:         Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:21:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Van failed emissions (fwd)
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

Since they started testing gas caps here in Cali I've needed a new one on I
think 3 out of 4 tests, on different vehicles. The first time it happened I
didn't know about them testing it since they implemented it during my
two-year gap. The guy failed it and like you, I had to go get a gas cap and
re-test- this at a place I don't normally use but did that time due to time
constraints. Four years later the same vehicle fails the gas cap (I meant to
look at it but I spaced it); this time I'm at my regular testing place that
I've mostly used for 16 years. My guy called the NAPA down the street and
they drop one off during their next parts run about 15 minutes later; cost
to me of $13 (not much more than I would've paid in the store) and I pass.

This just pissed me off more at the other guy since the NAPA is even closer
to his place than it is to my regular place. I could've walked down the
street, bought the cap and had it back in less than 5 minutes but he never
gave me the time or the option. Of course if he did he couldn't soak me for
the $35 bucks for the re-test.
In my case the guy to whom I normally go for my smogs is an import service
specialist and a VW guy and I've developed a pretty good relationship with
him even though I rarely use him for repairs (I rarely use a mechanic at
all). He knows I've been buying most of my parts from him and using him for
smogs for all this time and so he helps me out and he's good about answering
my questions when I get stuck. I've got a pretty good all-in-one deal there
and I steer business to him when I can.

So for me it goes back to having a good relationship with a mechanic- and
buying a new gas cap every four years as a preemptive measure. It's much
cheaper than the re-test and the way rubber dies around here I probably need
one by then anyway whether it might pass or not.

Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Blake Thornton" <blake@MATH.WUSTL.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:35 AM
Subject: Van failed emissions (fwd)


> Here was my experience taking my 1984 westy to get the emmisions done.  It
> was absolutely ridiculous.
>
> I took the van to get it inspected today.  The gas cap failed the test, so
> I need to get a new gas cap.  $20.  The funny, or not so funny part was
> that they also had to drive it on the rollers and they couldn't figure out
> how to drive the van.  3 different people drove it and either they stalled
> the van (probably 3-4 times) or the test aborted (probably 5-6 times) and
> the monitor showed "underpowered vehicle."  No kidding, it really
> happened. They finally put the 3rd guy on it.  The test aborted 2 times
> and he got the test further than the others (it was like a computer game)
> and then he stalled the van.  They were fed up.  The guy waiting behind me
> was fed up and was yelling at the people about how slow that lane was.
> After the final "abort" the looked fed up and drove the van off.  I was
> ready for them to say that the whole thing failed but he said it actually
> passed the emmissions but the gas cap failed so I needed a new gas cap.
> But, I have to take it back and go through this whole nonsense again.
>
> I just dropped the van off at the repair shop to have it inspected.  We'll
> see what nonsense they find.  It will fail that too (I know a couple
> things that need repaired).  Who knows when the van will be legal again.
>
> Thank god this is every two years and not every year.
>
> Blake
> St Louis