Date:         Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:43:36 -0600
Reply-To:     Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Subject:      Query for Colorado Vanagon Owners
In-Reply-To:  <20100630040256.0E90FF980B2@platinum.vcn.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Greetings folks,

This inquiry is specifically for Colorado Vanagon owners who are subject
to the front range dynomometer emission type testing.  I would like to
know (via private email) of anyone who has encountered problems with the
conduct of emission tests at these facilities on your Vanagon(s).  If
you have had a problem, can you provide supporting documentation if
requested?

Why an I asking?
I recently had an unsatisfactory experience with the Envirotest center
being unwilling / unable to achieve highway speeds during the emissions
test.  The technician persistently shifting into 4th gear resulting in
an "underpowered" condition causing the test to abort.   The technician
repeated the test, in exactly the same manner  three times, apparently
expecting the results from his efforts to change, as if by magic.
During these repeated test efforts, the technician became progressively
more abusive to my Syncro causing me to locate the site manager and
request that the technician be properly instructed how to achieve
highway speed, or another technician be assigned to the test effort.
The manager was rude, abusive and would not respond to my concerns
except to tell me his "rules" forbid me from being on the test floor.
During the fifth test effort, the technician finally managed to complete
the test.  The Vanagon did not pass, indicating a rich mixture.

I was in NYC on vacation the following week, so my local shop had the
Syncro - they determined that the O2 sensor was not responding as well
as it might, replaced it and adjusted the AFM.  Their staff member then
took the Syncro back to Envirotest.  He was also unimpressed with the
manner in which the technician handled the Syncro during the test.  At
the end of the test (passed), the technician neglected to move the
cooling fan from in front of the Syncro and ran into it, damaging one of
the rubber strips on the front bumper.

I have written a formal letter of complaint to the Envirotest executive
office, and would like to be armed with any additional events from other
Vanagon owners should I determine it desirable to escalate this issue
further.

*Best Regards,
Jon B Kanas

Email: kanas<at>qadas.com <mailto:kanas@qadas.com>

*

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